Shopsmith Forums

I just purchased a 500 and have a chance to upgrade it to a 510 for about $350 plus about $100 for shipping. Is this a smart thing to do? Why or why not?

journeyjane wrote:I just purchased a 500 and have a chance to upgrade it to a 510 for about $350 plus about $100 for shipping. Is this a smart thing to do? Why or why not?

$ aside, it would make more sense to upgrade to a 520. The 520 is a better design.

It is definitely worth it. Unless you can upgrade to the 520 for similar money, go for it. You won't be sorry.

Journey;
500 to 510 upgrade is $946.64
510 to 520 upgrade is $425.69
Total $1372.33

Plus shipping on all orders

Your price for the 510 upgrade looks good at this time unless you can score a 520 complete for about $1200 to $1400 bucks.

I use a 520 but I started with a 500 then to a 510 and then to the 520 and now the Power Pro headstock. (over a period of 30 years). The 520 fence system is far superior to the 510 system but the larger 510/520 table system far outperforms the old 500 system.

IMHO go for the 510 if that is all you can afford
and look for a 520 upgrade later
Bill V

[quote="wa2crk"]Journey]

FWIW 500 to 520 upgrade is 1168.20

Used 520 upgrades do appear occasionally on e-bay. 510 upgrades appear more often. $350 is a good price if condition is good.

JPG
I saw that but I thought I might scare her by putting that in. God price for what she wants though.
Bill V

wa2crk wrote:JPG
I saw that but I thought I might scare her by putting that in. God price for what she wants though.
Bill V

My point was going all the way is cheaper than two hops. However if she can get to 510 for $350 than that will be less $ than our 'examples'.

350 + 425.69 = 775.69.

So 510 now(used) and 520 later(new) makes sense.

One caveat: There are two versions of the 510. The earlier version requires more modification to convert to 520..

Some of the "upgrades" I've seen on ebay have only the major parts, tables, rip fence and carriage. This doesn't mean they all are that way but you really need to see what you are getting for your money.

The shopsmith upgrade gives you the telescoping legs, connecting tubes, new lathe tool rest, saw table insert, miter bar with t-slot, longer sanding disk hub, new saw arbor....

Personally I love the 500, not so much love for the 510, and lots of love for the 520. I spent a lot of year with the 500 and they were good years, so good in fact that after upgrading my original 500 to a 520, my 510 to a 520 I then purchased another 500, followed by another 500.

I think getting some experence with a 500 is not a bad thing. If you find you are into shopsmith machines then start buying the upgrades you think will be happiest with. You can also chose what path to take, maybe it will be a powerpro 500??? Or maybe adding a bandsaw or strip sander or jointer or all of the above.

Ed

reible wrote:Some of the "upgrades" I've seen on ebay have only the major parts, tables, rip fence and carriage. This doesn't mean they all are that way but you really need to see what you are getting for your money.

The shopsmith upgrade gives you the telescoping legs, connecting tubes, new lathe tool rest, saw table insert, miter bar with t-slot, longer sanding disk hub, new saw arbor....

Personally I love the 500, not so much love for the 510, and lots of love for the 520. I spent a lot of year with the 500 and they were good years, so good in fact that after upgrading my original 500 to a 520, my 510 to a 520 I then purchased another 500, followed by another 500.

I think getting some experence with a 500 is not a bad thing. If you find you are into shopsmith machines then start buying the upgrades you think will be happiest with. You can also chose what path to take, maybe it will be a powerpro 500??? Or maybe adding a bandsaw or strip sander or jointer or all of the above.

Ed

BEST RESPONSE!;)

I wouldn't spend big money on 510 upgrades on Ebay. It would usually be cheaper to just find a 510... Then you would have the 510 "AND" the 500 both. Ebay parts tend to sell silly high but complete machines can be found at a quite reasonable price.
If you don't want both still buy the 510 and combine the best of both machines and Ebay the left over parts, quite possibly for more than the cost of the 510. Most of the time Ebay parts are a very expensive way to build a machine...
They can be a good way to replace a broken part or a few parts. Then again, sometimes Shopsmith new parts are cheaper.
YMMV


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