A well maintained properly aligned Shopsmith of any vintage can serve you well, even a 10E, depending on what you do. My vision for my 10E is for example to turn bowls and I am looking for a good value in a speed changer to help slow it down just a bit. As you note, there is a investment return based on what options you need to do the jobs you want to do in wood working.Spencer wrote:OK, so this is my first post.
Everett has hit exactly what I am looking into. Trying to decide if buying used and saving $300 is worth accepting a SS with miles already driven and at the mercy of how the previous owner (or owner's helpers) treated the standard accessories.
My math looks like this in order to upgrade a used SS to a Mark 7 and assuming that all accessories need to be purchased new.
If upgrading a 500, than I would have about $450 to spend on a used 500.
If upgrading a 510, than I would have about $1300 to spend on a used 510.
If upgrading a 520, than I would have about $1750 to spend on a used 520.
This thread has really helped me to confirm that I would not be happy with a 510 without upgrading it.
I have also learned that while the PowerPro would be awesome, there are a lot of woodworkers that feel the old headstock is still pretty good and that I would probably be happy with a 520 for a while.
My 50th Anniversary 520 is really an exceptionally good machine, as are my two 510's.
If you are patient, and willing to travel a bit to get them, values can be found on all things Shopsmith.
Shopsmith also runs sales on a lot of things from time to time.
One of the strategies you will learn to master is that shortly after an order with Shopsmith, you will frequently get an email offer for free shipping on your next order, if placed within a few days.
Sometimes you can save a good bit on shipping if you are ordering something heavy, by splitting up your ordering. Best plans can be thwarted if that free shipping offer doesn't come as expected.
Everett
