Shopsmith Forums

Hey Guys ...

New member here. I've negotiated a price for a SS 510 with a bunch of SPTs and other accessories but I wont see it until this coming weekend. The gentleman I am buying from is no longer able to use it and is the second owner. He had a list of every piece down to the serial number that he received from the original owner and has added to it himself which I think is a good sign that it was probably well cared for if they went through that level of detail in cataloging their equipment but we'll see.

I negotiated $1200 for it and it is an October 1985 model based on the SN. It also comes with a dust collector, jointer, bandsaw, belt sander, scroll saw and manual feed planer. Based on the serial numbers provided it looks like it comes with the couplings, tenon master jig, dado blade, a number of chisels, chucks, arbors, shaping, mortising drill bits, bowl turning set, bar clamps, a rear support table as well as all original manuals, the self study course and power tool woodworking book. There is a bunch more too. According to the owner it runs great.

Here's the questions.
1. I think this is a good deal but want to get your thoughts.
2. When i go to see it next weekend, what is critical to look at? I've watched the recommended sawdust sessions and printed the "buying a used shopsmith" PDF as well but I'd love your thoughts too.
3. I will be driving a couple hours to look at it and pick it up and will be driving a Chevy Traverse SUV. Any concerns about being able to fit all the stuff in there?
4. Assuming everything is as expected, what should i do when I get it back? Should I tear down the headstock and do a complete once over or just do the full set of maintenance?

Sorry for the lengthy first post and i really appreciate any thoughts and suggestions you might have.

Stank

stank23 wrote:Hey Guys ...

New member here. I've negotiated a price for a SS 510 with a bunch of SPTs and other accessories but I wont see it until this coming weekend. The gentleman I am buying from is no longer able to use it and is the second owner. He had a list of every piece down to the serial number that he received from the original owner and has added to it himself which I think is a good sign that it was probably well cared for if they went through that level of detail in cataloging their equipment but we'll see.

I negotiated $1200 for it and it is an October 1985 model based on the SN. It also comes with a dust collector, jointer, bandsaw, belt sander, scroll saw and manual feed planer. Based on the serial numbers provided it looks like it comes with the couplings, tenon master jig, dado blade, a number of chisels, chucks, arbors, shaping, mortising drill bits, bowl turning set, bar clamps, a rear support table as well as all original manuals, the self study course and power tool woodworking book. There is a bunch more too. According to the owner it runs great.

Here's the questions.
1. I think this is a good deal but want to get your thoughts.
2. When i go to see it next weekend, what is critical to look at? I've watched the recommended sawdust sessions and printed the "buying a used shopsmith" PDF as well but I'd love your thoughts too.
3. I will be driving a couple hours to look at it and pick it up and will be driving a Chevy Traverse SUV. Any concerns about being able to fit all the stuff in there?
4. Assuming everything is as expected, what should i do when I get it back? Should I tear down the headstock and do a complete once over or just do the full set of maintenance?

Sorry for the lengthy first post and i really appreciate any thoughts and suggestions you might have.

Stank

I think ya got a GREAT DEAL with all those SPTs and extras.

Shouldn't be any problem get the SS in your SUV. AH just go by yourself.
Clean it up, lube and wax it. Then Align it.

Also before ya put the dust collector in the SUV. Take the hood off OUTSIDE and get all the loose sawdust out of it.

Any chance you have a friend with a enclosed or flatbed trailer you could borrow OR maybe rent a 6 or 8 foot enclosed Uhaul trailer

There is no doubt you could take the legs off the 510 and fit it in the Traverse, but with all the SPTs and what seems like a lot of extra stuff, cramming it in the SUV seems a tight fit even without a passenger

You might take a large garbage bag to put the dust collector top in since even if you remove it, it will make a huge dusty mess.

If you haul it in an open trailer, take duct tape to secure anything that might vibrate loose (basically anything that moves!!)

Hope that it all works out for you.

Welcome to the forum.

If the condition is good with all those SPT's the deal is good.

If you do get your first Shopsmith you'll be back to this forum often
at least at first.

I was luck, I got a Mark V, not a 510 though, for $700. It has same extras, lots of bits, blades, accessories. The sawdust in the vacuum will ruin the day, definitely clean it out. Also, be carful not to bang it around, it is easy not that rugged, plastic body and all. You will need to use the back seat of your truck. I had about 4 large milk crates, 3 boxes, a tool box, table, planer, scroll saw, band saw and SS. Good luck, I've had mine a month. Its like an older car, needs a little tlc, but it works great.

Maybe someone is near you that could help. Yes you can get it in your SUV but it takes awhile and you have to take the shopsmith apart. I can put it in my Prius so it should fit. Take a large trash bag for the vacuum and cover it before you try putting in. Test the motor gentle to make sure it runs, you wouldn't be the first nor last to get one home with a bad motor. Don't ask me how I know good luck and YES it is a good deal. You will have your second one real soon.

Thanks everyone for the good advice. Given the last comment about gently testing the motor, what specifically should I do? I was intending to run it up to test it out, is that a bad idea? If i dont run it up, should I do a full tear down of the motor when I get it home? Also, should i test each SPT before I take the equipment?

stank23 wrote:Thanks everyone for the good advice. Given the last comment about gently testing the motor, what specifically should I do? I was intending to run it up to test it out, is that a bad idea? If i dont run it up, should I do a full tear down of the motor when I get it home? Also, should i test each SPT before I take the equipment?

Turn it on, adjust the speed up a ways and back down. Merely to see that it does run, and observe the speed changing. If that fails, you have a bargaining point. If the speed changes seem to lag the control, use that as a bargaining point, but that is caused by lack of lubrication and is easily 'fixed'.

As for running all the spts, how much time are you and the seller willing to spend? If the seller is not the previous owner forget it. If the seller is the current owner than a demo of mounting them etc. will be beneficial. Otherwise try to turn the input shaft by hand. Some will turn easily and some will be 'stiff', but watch for unusual rubbing/feel/sounds etc.

Regardless of the outcome all can essentially be fixed.

Good Luck:)

Thanks JPG. Anything else I should make sure to do while there?

This may be informative re transporting it.

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?p=85569&postcount=18