Shopsmith Forums

A friend of my wifes was here a while ago and she was looking at a rolling pin I made for my wife years ago and said she wished she had one. I asked if her husband did woodworking and she said he use to before they moved up here. She then told me she bought him one of those machines that you could use for a saw and drill and lathe but she said the dam fool never uncrated it. I almost fell off the chair. I asked her when she bought it and she said in the early 90's. When it was delivered it was put into a pole barn and has sat there ever since. I don't know how they were shipped but she said there were 2 or 3 smaller boxes and a big one. They are the type of people that never sell anything so cchances are slim on getting it but what would this be worth in it could be bought?

That is just unreal that they would pay that much and not even take it out of the box.

Not unreasonable. I have brought several Shopsmiths and many SPTs still packed in the original boxes. They had been brought as gifts and part of a future retired plan to do woodworking later. A few retirement places do not allow excessive noise or any changes to the home. Several owners had died during the process of retiring, selling, moving to Florida and buying another home. I was able to buy from their kin.

joedw00 wrote:That is just unreal that they would pay that much and not even take it out of the box.

You have to remember how most Shopsmith's were sold in the 70s/80s -. woodworking demonstrations at malls and fairs. While the wife was busy shopping the husband sat through a few hours of demonstrations and probably went from that is neat to I must have it.

I know youtube has a couple minute demonstration video from the Minnesota State Fair. I'm not sure who the main demonstrator is, but Mike Young who does Lowes demos is in the background.

Nice find.
It would be worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
I'd start at $1000. But, that's just me.

A "brand new" Mark 5/V that has been "in the box" since it was first shipped is a brand new Mark 5/V. Assuming it has all the accessories that it would have been shipped with, I would say that it is worth what it sold for - about $1800 (with a band saw). But, I would not give that much for it.

If I had it, however, I would probably start by putting two new belts on it, oiling it and running it for about a half hour just to bring it back to life. No theory, just what I would do.

At that point, I would be as proud as a peacock of my new acquisition.:):)

Unless it was packed in a plastic bag, would it not be rusty if it was stored in a barn for 20 years.

fredsheldon wrote:Unless it was packed in a plastic bag, would it not be rusty if it was stored in a barn for 20 years.

Probably not IF the 'crate' was reasonably air tight.(Only Ohio moisture contained within!);)

fredsheldon wrote:Unless it was packed in a plastic bag, would it not be rusty if it was stored in a barn for 20 years.

This was my thought also. I have never saw how they were packed from the factory. I don't know these people well enough to just go over and ask to see it but I will be sure to become friends with him and maybe before the summer is over I can take a peek and see. We are going to a community event tonight so maybe I will start there. I still cannot believe it but time will tell.

We just purchased our "new" Shopsmith 510 ! I saw an ad on craigslist that said assembled but never used-$300.00. The Mrs. and I took a trip just to see if it was really unused. HER mouth dropped when she saw it and we still cant believe we have an "new" Shopsmith in our basement workshop!!! I little cleaning and lubing (it sat assembled since 1996) and now it is busy in our shop.

These things are awesome it came with a band saw and we just got a jointer for it from e-bay.

BTW- we look forward to any helpful tips and comments from here to help us expand our wood working skills

Todd and Nancy