Shopsmith Forums

Hey, I'm located in Virginia Beach, VA and I could use some advice on what to look for in second hand Shopsmiths. Here are a few of my questions. I've actually already located a few for sale in my area. I've called about two of them.

I found this one in the local Trading Post paper, No pictures and I haven't seen it yet, but I've spoken with the owner and he said he can take some pictures and email them to me. The owner purchased used as a 500 about 15 to 20 years ago and upgraded it to a 510 (table wise) I don't think any changes were made to the Headstock. It does have casters on it. He's got a scrollsaw to sets of lathe knives, some shaper blades, seemed a little foggy on what all he had.

The second one is listed on Craigs List. It does have a few pictures, but they are all close ups and not very good. This one is being sold by a younger couple who purchased or were given it from her aunt and uncle a few years ago when they moved into a retirement condo. The aunt purchased it new for the uncle in the 90's, but I did not find out when in the 90's. The manual in the picture is for both a 500 and a 510, but the woman did not know what this was. Here's a link to the Criags List Ad.

She has the manual and there is a bandsaw and possibly a scroll saw. I could make out a Dado blade set and lathe knives. She is supposed send me a few more pictures. I have learned that there are no casters on the Shopsmith. When did they upgrade the motor and the quill (double bearing) in the Headstock? Would a 510 have come with casters?

Appreciate any help I'm offered on this.

The second one, is a 510 based on the tube rails. Old enough that the lathe faceplace was bought at aShopsmith store when they had retail locations. The shadow is in a bad place, but I think it has the red safety switch so post-1991

I agree that it is a 510, with the red plastic switch, the table tubes of a 510. Last pic in the ad is a joiner (4"). And, it comes with a bandsaw. I, however, think the price is too much. Half the asking price IMHO would be a much better deal. I purchased a 500 for that price ($500) that was only a few years older, had the band saw, all the lathe attachments and gouges, extra blades and several other goodies. Had to have the headstock rebuilt.

The last 'motor' upgrade was a half century ago.(The Power Pro motor is not IMHO an 'upgrade', but a completely new concept).

It is a 'later' 510 version and has the latest 'C' headstock and a two bearing quill.

Casters are an option.($$)

Thanks for the help and the worth advice. That was kind of my gut feeling, but I wasn't sure.

I have received some additional pictures of both through email.

The Craigs List 510 was purchased in 92' and the owner sent me a picture from the Manual saying it had 1-1/8HP motor. So it is the upgraded motor.

Does that mean the quill is also the upgraded double bearing quill? Is there some way to check into this type of thing on the SS website?

Here is a link to the additional pictures for the CraigsList 510. I guess it's in a cluttered garage and because it's not on caters she can't move it.

Here is a link to the pictures for the unknown age Shopsmith that was upgraded to 510. Fewer attachments. I should have asked him to take pictures from both side and a close up of the headstock on/off switch. He's asking $800.

The craigsList version includes the jointer with the blade/feather guard upgrade and the bandsaw with the aluminum table (aluminum table is a good upgrade over the original cast iron table). The unknown age 500>510 unit has a jig saw but no other SPT's apparent. Both look pretty clean and rust free. Assuming they both seen to run fine as well, I'd say the CraigsList one is worth more like $700 (I'd go as high as $800 if it wasn't missing the casters) as it looks in pretty good shape and has the two SPT's that would cost you $300+ combined on E-Bay if you had to buy them separately. Did they tell you it might have a scroll saw or was that your guess based on the photos? I don't see a scroll saw in the pictures but there is a pack of coping saw blades in one of the pictures...not sure what they went to (?). If it does have a scroll saw or any other SPT's not shown then I'd up the price another $100.

As for the non-CraigsList one, no SPT's other than the jigsaw (which sell pretty cheap on E-Bay)...condition based on the photos looks fine, so assuming it's runs like it looks, I'd say that one is worth $500. I personally would go for the Craig's List one - it just looks better to me and has the SPT's with the desired upgrades.

JPG40504 wrote:The last 'motor' upgrade was a half century ago.(The Power Pro motor is not IMHO an 'upgrade', but a completely new concept).

It is a 'later' 510 version and has the latest 'C' headstock and a two bearing quill.

Casters are an option.($$)

Thanks for some reason i completely missed your comment earlier. Doh!

dgale wrote:The craigsList version includes the jointer with the blade/feather guard upgrade and the bandsaw with the aluminum table (aluminum table is a good upgrade over the original cast iron table). The unknown age 500>510 unit has a jig saw but no other SPT's apparent. Both look pretty clean and rust free. Assuming they both seen to run fine as well, I'd say the CraigsList one is worth more like $700 (I'd go as high as $800 if it wasn't missing the casters) as it looks in pretty good shape and has the two SPT's that would cost you $300+ combined on E-Bay if you had to buy them separately. Did they tell you it might have a scroll saw or was that your guess based on the photos? I don't see a scroll saw in the pictures but there is a pack of coping saw blades in one of the pictures...not sure what they went to (?). If it does have a scroll saw or any other SPT's not shown then I'd up the price another $100.

As for the non-CraigsList one, no SPT's other than the jigsaw (which sell pretty cheap on E-Bay)...condition based on the photos looks fine, so assuming it's runs like it looks, I'd say that one is worth $500. I personally would go for the Craig's List one - it just looks better to me and has the SPT's with the desired upgrades.

I agree with you assessment. Thanks for pointing out the cost of the SPT's. As for the Scroll saw, I think I confused the Jig saw for scroll saw initially (not sure I really know the difference. What I was seeing in the Craigs List photo was the top of the handle to the Miter guide where it was resting on the bandsaw. The woman who owns the Craigs List SS told me the email she sent the pictures with that her asking price was firm. I guess we'll have to see. If I do buy this unit I'd definitely need to put the casters on it.

Once a SS is adjusted (table leveled and trued) does raising and lowing it on the casters and moving it around affect that?

To me it all depends on what SS are going for in your area. The Caigslist with the bandsaw and jointer in my area would be around $500 to $800. Last year I picked up one that was a 510 with bandsaw, jointer and belt sander in great shape in an estate sale for $300. I got my 520 Anniversary unit with boxes of extras including a sawtrain attachment, Mortising Jig. Tendon jig and more extras than I can list for $800. So you never know location and timing plays a big part of finding bargins. But in looking at the Craigslist unit it looks like it is in good shape and would be a good investment but not at $1000 unless you really want it. Price it new and then see what you are willing to pay. My first SS was a 510 with bandsaw and jointer, casters and lathe tools from the factory so I have spent big on them also. Not all were bargins. And I don't regret that first purchase even today.

woodhead52 wrote:The woman who owns the Craigs List SS told me the email she sent the pictures with that her asking price was firm.

We'll see how long she holds on to that stance...it's definitely a buy's market for used SS, so unless you just really want that machine or just want to buy something now and be done with it, I'd make here a firm offer on your end and if/when she balks, just give here your # and tell her to call you when no one else buys the thing for $1k. Also, if you do want to buy it, figure out the price you want to pay and when you go to look at it and make your offer, have the $$ in $100 bills in your hand - when someone has a machine like this taking up space and they see the $$ in front of them, it's hard to believe they'd hold on to the $1k stance.