Shopsmith Forums

I have had consistently good value buying Shopsmith items on ebay. In fact, I bought a biscuit joiner for substantially less than a new one from SS. It was in great shape. I bought a Lathe duplicator in great shape also for quite a bit less than new, and it came with a steady rest - a 100 dollar option from SS!

Now I recognize that I would be doing a greater service to Shopsmith if I bought everything new from them - but I can't afford it; and I have an obligation to my family to save when I can. That being said, I intend to purchase the PowerPro upgrade as soon as it's available, and I regularly buy replacement parts and the more moderately priced new items from Shopsmith.

I have seen SS items go high, and I have seen them go very low. One fellow got an overarm router (second generation model) for just over 100 dollars in an auction I was watching. I wish I had bid on that one! Scrolling through the Shopsmith items on ebay is very enjoyable for me, and I do it regularly.

I bought a Magna flexible shaft on ebay for short money. I was delighted to have it for my Mark 5 and eagerly awaited it's arrival. When it arrived, I unwrapped the brown paper the box was wrapped with and discovered that the seller had sent me the flexible shaft in a pizza box. When I opened the box I noticed that there was some cheese stuck to the inside of the lid.
Man, I love ebay.

Alec

I am a returning user of Shop Smith and have bought two unit locally and have been buying items off of Ebay. Some have been good deals and some really good. Got a Scroll saw on power stand in excellent condition a few weeks ago for 1/3 the cost of new.
It is easy, just look at the condition of the item, determine what you are willing to spend, put bid in and forget. I have chosen to buy many items new from ShopSmith because of the "bidding wars" or ignorance of the buyers. It is incredible how many power couplers are on Ebay and go for same or more than a new one - you would think ShopSmith doesn't make them anymore.
Also, if you want to buy a large item form ShopSmith, make an order and wait - I have been getting 20% off coupons from them and use that on the more expensive items - which really beats Ebay.

I've bought a number of SS items off e-Bay. Won an auction for a biscuit joiner for about 1/2 the price of a new one. Item showed up with little to no wear, a selection of biscuits, the instructions, all in the original box which was also in good condition.
In another auction I was in the bidding for a Speed Reducer climbed to nearly 50% over retail. (I had dropped out way before this.) Some months later, Shopsmith put the SR on special, making my dropping out of that auction very sweet.

I too have commented on posts when the seller has a SS part misidentified and had them flame back at me. So much for trying to help out.