Shopsmith Forums

Two 'Smiths here. One's outfitted with the Jointech system and one's a shorty. The only SS SPTs are the band saw and the belt sander. In addition, I use a venerable old 6" Craftsman jointer and a DeWalt 13" planer. I use a shop made panel saw to break down sheet goods. It's so accurate that further tweaking on the SS isn't necessary.
Many large projects have been accomplished with the SS's. Several complete Kitchens, several home remodels, a plethora of book cases, fireplace mantels and surrounds and a few water beds. Now however, the largest project has been chairs.
In the nearly 40 years I've worked with a SS, I've often lusted for separate tools (especially a bigger band saw) but, work arounds do the trick and keep my brain active.

SS M7 Power Pro is my main floor tool, I do have a drum sander and a lunch box planer. I admit I long to have me cabinet saw back. I just have not figured out if I have enough room for one, still a consideration though.

Aside from a router and a steel city midi lathe.. I have three shopsmiths and a ss planer that I use for everything. I only use the midi lathe for small turnings like pens..


Of course, that is unless I get the urge to CNC something or 3d print it... But I consider neither activity to be wood working

My Shopsmith Mark V, purchased new 8/08/80, is my primary shop tool. I added a Wood Master (knock-off SPT) bandsaw to it in December of 96. No space in two car garage, with two cars, for more.

My Shopsmith is my primary tool, however I do have a radial arm saw, planner, and miter saw that I constantly use.

If I had a workshop instead of sharing a garage with two cars I would also have a standalone table saw and a jointer. And probably a standalone bandsaw.

My SS is my major wood working tool. The only SPT I have is the band saw for it. I do have a compound miter saw, 6" bench top jointer and a thickness planer. I do have a plethora of hand held power tools and some hand tools.

My Power Pro Mark 7 with the SPT jigsaw are my main shop tools. I also have a chop saw, planer, router table (all of which are pre-SS).

My 510 is my only stationary power tool, and I'm wanting for nothing but a Power Pro.

Like a lot of people, I found the lathe to be a little low, but I just set the feet down on timbers to raise it when in lathe mode. I'm not tall, but the "high" tablesaw doesn't bother me.

One unanticipated use for my Shopsmith is as a saw horse for sheet goods. Using the main table and two auxiliaries, I can use a handheld circular saw and inexpensive clamping edge-guide to break down a sheet of plywood without anything falling to the floor.

My 510 is my one and only floor based power tool. I do own own and use a DeWalt 510 thickness planer, but you really cant count that a a floor tool.

Im very pleased and satisfied with it!!!

Everything else is a Shopsmith SPT or a hand held tool.

I will say my SS was the main tool when I was working out of may garage. I did eventually get a Powermatic 6" jointer, a SS Pro Planer, a power stand for my SS band saw and a home built router table (Ala Norm) with a Bench Dog cast iron top and a PC 3 1/4HP router.

Almost 6 years ago I built my dedicated 30 X 40 shop. The only non SS thing I bought was a Powermatic PM2000 table saw. I have added more SS equipment since. Dedicated MK V and 10ER drill presses, a MK V shorty used mostly for sanding, a Teal stand alone scroll saw, a 14" Powermatic band saw and a SS Power Station that usually has the old SS jig saw on it with sanding belts on it for my wife's scroll saw projects.

So no the SS MK 7 is not the PRIMARY tool but all the SS tools are used equally along with the non SS tools.