Shopsmith Forums

I purchased two SS500's two years ago within a month of each other off of Craigslist ads. Ever since I have wished that I could have found a SS510 instead.

I have been on the look-out for any SS510's for sale on Craigslist or e-Bay, but for the most part they are SS500's. If a SS510/520 appears on e-Bay, it usually is too far away for me to consider. Ohio and Florida seem to be the most populated with SS, but the east coast states hold their own with SS owner population.

I discovered the threads on retrofitting the parts from a BT3000 Ryobi table saw a few days ago. First I will need to find and purchase the table and carriage for the SS510. It just isn't easy finding those parts for sale without paying an arm and a leg. The seller usually places a premium on shipping charges, or it is so far away from me that the part costs as much to ship as the part price I would want to bid.

Historically, since the development of the SS510, has more SS500 base units been sold than the SS510's? Either SS510 owners are not selling, or there are a lot more SS500's out there to sell.

Thanks

gac5ss wrote:I purchased two SS500's two years ago within a month of each other off of Craigslist ads. Ever since I have wished that I could have found a SS510 instead.

I have been on the look-out for any SS510's for sale on Craigslist or e-Bay, but for the most part they are SS500's. If a SS510/520 appears on e-Bay, it usually is too far away for me to consider. Ohio and Florida seem to be the most populated with SS, but the east coast states hold their own with SS owner population.

I discovered the threads on retrofitting the parts from a BT3000 Ryobi table saw a few days ago. First I will need to find and purchase the table and carriage for the SS510. It just isn't easy finding those parts for sale without paying an arm and a leg. The seller usually places a premium on shipping charges, or it is so far away from me that the part costs as much to ship as the part price I would want to bid.

Historically, since the development of the SS510, has more SS500 base units been sold than the SS510's? Either SS510 owners are not selling, or there are a lot more SS500's out there to sell.

Thanks

It is difficult if not impossible to determine how many 510/520 units are out there. Shopsmith did this when they began putting date codes on completed units rather than serial numbers. Never-the-less, 510/520 just do not show up for sale as often.

If you want one bad enough, you'll just have to pop for the price. Mine began life as 510s and were both converted to 520s. When I created the Shorty, it was converted back to a 510 configuration.

I, frankly, do not see a lot of difference between the two (510 vs 520). The 520 fence might be a bit easier to adjust accurately but that is a matter of opinion.

Bottomline: You are left with a decision. How bad do you want a 510/520? If you are going to "upgrade", it'll likely be cheaper to wait until you do find a 510/520 to buy. The parts required to accomplish an upgrade seem to be cherished items and carry a large price tag.

Ask and you shall receive!!!
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/4615438473.html

gac5ss wrote:I purchased two SS500's two years ago within a month of each other off of Craigslist ads. Ever since I have wished that I could have found a SS510 instead.

I have been on the look-out for any SS510's for sale on Craigslist or e-Bay, but for the most part they are SS500's. If a SS510/520 appears on e-Bay, it usually is too far away for me to consider. Ohio and Florida seem to be the most populated with SS, but the east coast states hold their own with SS owner population.

I discovered the threads on retrofitting the parts from a BT3000 Ryobi table saw a few days ago. First I will need to find and purchase the table and carriage for the SS510. It just isn't easy finding those parts for sale without paying an arm and a leg. The seller usually places a premium on shipping charges, or it is so far away from me that the part costs as much to ship as the part price I would want to bid.

Historically, since the development of the SS510, has more SS500 base units been sold than the SS510's? Either SS510 owners are not selling, or there are a lot more SS500's out there to sell.

Thanks

My guess and it is just a guess, is that many Shopsmith Mark V were bought on whim after a Shopping center demo. Once the owner got the machine in their house they did one of three things, one let it set in the box. Two took it out made a cut or two found it wasn't as easy as the demo'er made it look at the demo and never touched it again. Three took it out and started using it.

For the first two categories they would never upgrade so you will not see many 510/520 for sale.

For those in the third category they probably upgraded and are using their machine today. Only their death will cause the machine to be sold.

There is a bright side not long ago Shopsmith started selling only 510 or 520. So there are bound to be some show up for sale shortly. I know Bill Mayo bought a machine a year or two ago that was a brand new 510/520 that was never taken out of the box.

My mark 5 was bought in the 80's and I upgraded it to a 510 which I absolutely hated. In my opinion the 510 is not worth hitting a bull in the a_ _ with. I would have sold it in a heart beat if I had a buyer. I then saw the 520 and fell back in love. I upgraded to the 520 and think it is a great machine. I love the original Mark V and 520 and I think Shopsmith should do the world a favor and stop selling the 510.

I have a bid in on a 510 table upgrade on e-Bay. Will know by Sunday if I get it or get outbid. I checked on the Fayetteville, Ar Craigslist listing. He still has it, along with some other items. Will go back to him if the e-Bay bid falls through.

I used to have a SS510 12-15 years ago. I had bought it used. I wasn't impressed with the fence either. I can see how the 520 is a big improvement. I will eventually get to where I want to get with my upgrades.

Thanks

gac5ss wrote:I have a bid in on a 510 table upgrade on e-Bay. Will know by Sunday if I get it or get outbid. I checked on the Fayetteville, Ar Craigslist listing. He still has it, along with some other items. Will go back to him if the e-Bay bid falls through.

I used to have a SS510 12-15 years ago. I had bought it used. I wasn't impressed with the fence either. I can see how the 520 is a big improvement. I will eventually get to where I want to get with my upgrades.

Thanks

This doesn't have much to do with the Pro's and Con's of the different Shopsmith machine variants, but I have found the advice therein to be highly effective at scoring good Shopsmith deals on eBay. I happily sent the author his suggested donation of 5 bucks, shortly after said advice saved me considerably more than that.

In particular, see point #4 about not bidding until the last second. It's an interesting read. Unlike the author, I do use an automated bidding service, because it is way easier, and costs almost nothing. eSnipe.com has worked great for me.

That said, the very best deals are more likely to be found on Craigslist, because as a buyer, you have less competition. But you may also have a long wait to find that deal locally.

I am on shop smith #11 now. Of those 3 were E/ER10s, 4 – 500s; 2 - 510s and one 520.

If my experience is helpful the 510s and 520s are markedly more expensive until you get into the details. Since those models are most likely coming from the original owner or their estate I get a more complete system, often with numerous non SS goodies like vices, standalone equipment not to mention obscure SS accessories, speed reducer, grinder attachment and so on.

I sell off the extras to get a price that I am happy with.

The 500s are more often than not from a second owner or incomplete after being passed around from family member to member.

If you do want to go with eBay use gixen which is a free sniper.

Fast forward to 2019. I just purchased a Mark V 520. It is missing one floating table and the tubes / legs. Found the parts on eBay, but haven't purchased then yet. Included in my purchase was a band saw, jointer, strip sander, speed increaser, and speed reducer. Missing is the lower and upper saw guard, saw blades / arbors, and sanding disk. All of this at a pawn shop for $1088 after taxes added. The band saw, and jointer are of recent manufacture.

The machine has been reasonably cared for. The jointer bed is rusty, but that is about it for issues. Most of the missing parts I have retained from prior purchases of Mark V 500 units. I have the lower saw guard, the lathe tool rest, a 12" sanding disk, A set of Sorby lathe chisels, and a 6" x 48" belt sander.

I am thinking the speed reducer can be sold to purchase some of the missing parts. Is there any use for the reducer other than to use on turning and large drill bits?

Congratulations.

Note your 500 lower/upper guards and saw arbors will not work with the larger 510/520 table, and the arm and post for the tool rest are different also, to fit the wider carriage. The sanding disk will work off the side of the table.