Shopsmith Forums

Then again..............another option........not mentioned yet; Purchase a new machine from Shopsmith. Then you can be assured that everything will be included, plus the warranty. I've never regretted starting this way.

Sometimes Shopsmith has reconditioned machines for sale at a discount. Give customer service a call.

Used Shopsmiths can be a joy, or a headache, or a combination of both. You can almost always count on having to do some clean up and repairs. This forum is full of postings from new users with problems.

[quote="8iowa"]Then again..............another option........not mentioned yet]

Spoken just like a company man!

[quote="8iowa"]Then again..............another option........not mentioned yet]



I agree completely (if you can swing it). I had drooled wildly over Shopsmiths for 28 years before I bought my 510 new in 1988. I had been watching demo after demo at the state fair and other shows. I could not have been more proud of that purchase if it had been a new car for that price. When I bought my second Mark V used and very cheap I was an experienced owner and knew a lot more about the innards. Later when I bought over 2 dozen more I was not apprehensive about them having potential innard problems because I understood how repairable they are plus none of those were going to be my only Shopsmith that I was going to have to depend on for all of my work.
Had I bought a used one with hidden problems as my first I might have come away from the experience with a bad taste in my mouth especially if I had paid a lot for it. Even more likely if I were not a long experienced general mechanic (pretty much the community "fix anything" guy).

You know, this has also reminded me about how much the internet has changed our world... Back in 1988 when I bought my 510 new the likelihood of me even finding a used Shopsmith was minimal. Making contact was 100 times harder for both the seller and the buyer.
My first one came from the factory store. My second from a farm machinery consignment auction just by chance. I didn't know one was in the sale. I was a little surprised that no one else there including the auctioneer had a clue as to what it was or how it worked. One guy claimed to but as he spoke it quickly became clear that he too was clueless and was spouting out of his hat. All of the rest were bought on Ebay or through Craigslists. Both massive markets for both buyers and sellers that didn't exist when I bought my first.
Actually before I bought my first I don't recall ever seeing a used one listed for sale any where locally.


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robinson46176 wrote: . . .
Actually before I bought my first I don't recall ever seeing a used one listed for sale any where locally.


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Way back then in the 'Dark Ages', as today, they were a major investment and were not an impulse buy so they were considered keepers.








Still ARE!

BigSky:

No. I do not have any connection with the company. I'm a user/hobbiest like most of the guys here.

I just thought that the only option............that had not been discussed.......deserved to be brought forth.

Francis brought up a good point. One who has no Shopsmith experience can sometimes face a daunting "learning curve" when purchasing a used machine.

8iowa wrote:BigSky:

No. I do not have any connection with the company. I'm a user/hobbiest like most of the guys here.

I just thought that the only option............that had not been discussed.......deserved to be brought forth.

Francis brought up a good point. One who has no Shopsmith experience can sometimes face a daunting "learning curve" when purchasing a used machine.

Well stated. I purchased my first one brand new. My second one used only after I felt I fully understood the tools. If I had it to do over I would likely do the same. Recently I assisted my Brother in selecting a used unit. His knowledge is still in catch up mode and dealing with understanding what he has purchased. As I work with him I realize all over again my decision the first time around was a sound one. Having said this, at the point in time I began my affair with Shopsmith tools I had an excellent income and could afford the method I selected. I also had the assistance of Shopsmith offering localized training sessions on using and servicing the tools. I continue to believe many of us would be well served by those academy's coming around again. Which ever direction you select I believe you will find the collective knowledge available here and the fine customer service available at Shopsmith will create a very good opportunity to learn and uses and servicing options of your purchase. Fjimp