Seeking Advice... to become a Shopsmith owner

[sapperpete]

I have been interested in woodworking since I was a kid. I have worked with several family members in various woodworking projects growing up and have used borrowed equipment to complete my own projects. I have moved away from family and my dad wants his stuff back... so I need equipment of my own.

I have limited space, and like most, have limited funds. I have never used a Shopsmith before, but am now very interested and have started to do some research. I am interested in the new Mark 7 and the PowerPro, but not sure I want to drop the cash for one. I have learned that they conduct demos at different Lowe's locations. The closest one to me is 4 hours away later this week. What kind of deals are typical at the demos?

I am trying to decide whether to go new or used. Used would be a lot easier on the bank account. I have a coworker who recently received a Mark V and doesn't want it. I let him know I am interested. He wants me to take a look at it and make him an offer. By looking up the serial #, I found it was built in 1984. He indicated that there is no rust on it, but it is missing a few items: Tail live center, #2 morse taper drive spur, a plastic part that holds the upper tablesaw blade guard, and a threaded rod on the fence. It comes with 10 lathe tools. That is all I know about it. I plan on taking a look at it in the next few days. What should I look for?

Based on the limited information, what would a fair offer be? Should I go used Mark 5, or new Mark 7? Thanks in advance for the shared expertise and advise.

[beeg]

This might help ya as far as what to look for.

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... rn_Pt1.htm

The " #2 morse taper drive spur,", the drive spur wood have a 5/8'S hole to fit the drive shaft.
You also might want to read here.

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=7092

Here's a PDF file of the check list.

[ATTACH]23368[/ATTACH]

[cooch366]

I've been a long time (early 80's) owner of a 500. Last month I went to Lowe's to see a demo, with the idea of upgrading my existing 500 with the power pro, double tilt and 520 table.

Cost would have been in the $3100.00 area +/-.

For $3800.00, with shipping, I got a new unit, with the choice of a new bandsaw or dust collector free. Add in casters for another $100.00.

So for $700.00 more I got a new machine with band saw, and was able to give my old machine and band saw to my son.

If $ is an object, you may want to go used.

I too am limited on space, and love these units. They are extremely accurate and do everything I need with no problems.

Hope this helps, and welcome to the family...

[dgale]

I've never been to one of the Lowes demos (nearest Lowes is 3+ hours from me) but from what I've read here there is some sort of deal with a Lowes Credit Card where you can basically get it on a low or no interest payment plan (?) Others here more familiar can elaborate. If you can swing the finances, I can't imagine a better way to get into SS then to get a new Mark 7 with PP.

If you can't swing it financially then there are lots of great deals on the used market, although don't hold your breath for a Mark 7 and/or PP to show up used but there are lots of deals on everything from old 10E/ER, Mark V 500, 510, and 520 etc. I'd suggest you do some reading on all the different models over the years, as well as accessories etc. and ask lots of questions here so you know what you are looking at when you go to see used machines and also know what sort of needed maintenance and repairs etc. you can check into. As for prices, it really depends on the model and whats included with it, as well as your geographic location to some degree. For a basic machine in good working condition, I'd say the following are approximate price ranges at least in my neck of the woods:

10E/ER - $50-100
500 - $50-$200
510 - $400-$700
520 - $700-$1100

These are just ballpark estimates on my part and much of the variability will depend on specifics of condition, as well as what extras are included (ie specialty tools or "SPT's" such as band saw, jointer, planer, belt sander, strip sander, scroll saw, jig saw, dust collector, biscuit joiner etc). In all likelihood you'll see folks on CraigsList asking more than this for their machines but it's a buyers market and these are the prices where I see things moving. The older models (10E/ER, 500) are the most common on the used market, followed by the 510. I don't see 520's for sale used regularly but they are out there with a bit of patience.

All this being said, if it were me and I wanted to enter the SS world, I'd be looking at the "Lowes Payment Plan" option to spread the cost out over time and start off with a brand new, top of the line machine.

[cooch366]

I did get 10% off the entire purchase by putting it on an new Lowe's account, with 6 months to pay with no interest. Thanks DGale for the reminder...

Plus was able to buy in a state (NH) with no sales tax. Saving another 6.25%. Only drawback was I had to have it delivered to the Lowe's store and pick it up there. And you WILL need a pick up truck to get it.

[tomp]

I purchased a Mark V in 1981, and grew to love it. I never bought any upgrades. When I saw that our Lowe's was having a Shopsmith demo last year, I went with the intention of finally getting some upgrades. I too found what I wanted approached the cost of a new Mark 7, and so I went for it. I took the free DC3300 because I already had a band saw, and received 10% off with their military discount. They accepted my DD214.

The Mark 7 is fantastic, but if I had limited funds, I would not go into dept to get another. I would look, look, look for the best deal I could find on a 510 or 520, and preferably with bandsaw and jointer included. I have other brands of planer and scrollsaw, both purchased used from Craig's list. They were less expensive and didn't involve all the set-ups necessary for Shopsmith specific items.

Good luck!

[dgale]

I did get 10% off the entire purchase by putting it on an new Lowe's account, with 6 months to pay with no interest. Thanks DGale for the reminder...

Plus was able to buy in a state (NH) with no sales tax. Saving another 6.25%. Only drawback was I had to have it delivered to the Lowe's store and pick it up there. And you WILL need a pick up truck to get it.

I wonder what the interest rate is after 6 months on a Lowes account (?) Good tip on the sales tax - if I were ever able to make this leap, I could do it at a Lowes in Oregon where there is no sales tax...I wonder if my home address (in CA) has any bearing on this or if I buy it in OR and pick it up in OR if I would be able to avoid the tax...I assume it is the latter. In my case this would require a 3.5 hour drive each way to pick it up in order to save ~$330 in CA sales tax. I guess it doesn't matter either way as it's a pipe dream for me to afford such an upgrade at this point in my life, much less that SS will happen to hold one of these demos at the "nearby" Oregon Lowes.

[chris jay]

I got my Mark v used in good condition and upgraded to the power pro (awesome) and 520 table and fence is on the way. See what the used options are and if you can get one in good shape go for it

[cooch366]

I wonder what the interest rate is after 6 months on a Lowes account (?) Good tip on the sales tax - if I were ever able to make this leap, I could do it at a Lowes in Oregon where there is no sales tax...I wonder if my home address (in CA) has any bearing on this or if I buy it in OR and pick it up in OR if I would be able to avoid the tax...I assume it is the latter. In my case this would require a 3.5 hour drive each way to pick it up in order to save ~$330 in CA sales tax. I guess it doesn't matter either way as it's a pipe dream for me to afford such an upgrade at this point in my life, much less that SS will happen to hold one of these demos at the "nearby" Oregon Lowes.

I live in Mass, bought and picked up in NH, no sales tax. I would assume it should be the same. Unless the Mass and CA. tax police read this and make us "pay uncle". I was able to slip past the state border undetected, even with a HUGE Shopsmith box wide open in the back of my truck...

[dgale]

[quote="cooch366"]I live in Mass, bought and picked up in NH, no sales tax. I would assume it should be the same. Unless the Mass and CA. tax police read this and make us "pay uncle". I was able to slip past the state border undetected, even with a HUGE Shopsmith box wide open in the back of my truck...]

I think if you physically pick up the item in the no tax state then I the tax reporting burdon at your home state becomes that of the buyer...unlike the mail order world where they base it on the delivery address. Amazon managed to fight that for a long time before finally caving a year or two ago, which as a resident of a State with a 8.5-9% sales tax rate, that was a decision that caused me to rethink a lot of Amazon purchases. I think the Amazon situation also had something to do with the fact that they had distribution centers all over the Country and hence couldn't really state that they didn't have a business presence in a given sales tax State.