Shopsmith Forums

What are some key things to look for when evaluating a used shopsmith for purchase?

#1, Do you seriously have the time/space/energy and patience? Any old piece of machinery will require some maintenance, and many of these machines, ESPECIALLY the 10ER vintage, should be completely taken apart and properly restored to do them justice. Quite a commitment.
#2, Will your wife/GF/significant other understand? 'nuff said 'bout that!
#3, Will you stop at one? Or will you just have to have a few?

OK, now for the just pragmatic stuff:

#4, Is there significant rust? Rust, per se, is not a deal-breaker, but should be dealt with, see #1, above.
#5, Do all the moving parts actually move, by hand.
#6, Is the machine clean? While it is true that it could have been spruced up for sale, if there is some 'evidence of use', but otherwise it looks fairly clean, chances are the previous owner(s) have taken some care.

And so on, and so on. I'm sure others will weight in...

First, which model? If you don't know then look for the following for starters...rust? Does it run? Noise when running? Slide the carriage, smoothe and easy or rough? Take off all attachments and grab the spindle. Does it make a click or noise as you li it? All bolts in place...meaning no holes that don't make sense? On castors and rolls? Check the cord, is it frayed and strain relief in place?
Start with that.