Shopsmith Forums

I know you guys (GiGi) don't like to give values on machines, but I have another 500 made prior to 84 but after 80 that is extremely clean and was used constantly until a few weeks ago. I can probably get it for about 600 dollars or so including a jointer. I know it is a single bearing quill, and has the 500 fence/table system. Is the machine worth that without any SPT's? It is a one owner, and the old gentleman is in his 80's now and just doesn't trust himself anymore.

Prices for these machines are all over the place on the Interwebs, I am having trouble figuring out how to value this.

Thanks in advance for any help ....

Dick

I am probably not all that qualified to give pricing info. I probably over payed for my 54 greenie at 650, but made up for it for getting my goldie for 200. I did get a lot of extras for my 650 though. Craigslist is probably about the best system of value for these. Look what they are going for. If you see 6 listing for the same one, they are asking too much.
That being said, 500 if its well kept up, with a decent selection of arbors and blades seems worth it. Does it have a good selection?

rjent wrote:I know you guys (GiGi) don't like to give values on machines, but I have another 500 made prior to 84 but after 80 that is extremely clean and was used constantly until a few weeks ago. I can probably get it for about 600 dollars or so including a jointer. I know it is a single bearing quill, and has the 500 fence/table system. Is the machine worth that without any SPT's? It is a one owner, and the old gentleman is in his 80's now and just doesn't trust himself anymore.

Prices for these machines are all over the place on the Interwebs, I am having trouble figuring out how to value this.

Thanks in advance for any help ....

Dick

Location, location, location makes pricing difficult. I have been able to buy a nice 87 510 with new in the box joiner for $150 this summer and a nice 84 500 with speed reducer, 6X48 belt sander and a operating air compressor for $100 last week locally in Florida. There are 40 to 50 Shopsmiths listed on Craig's List all the time in Florida. I check each day and try to pounce on the super cheap ones. I recommend checking Craig's List for your state and any cities within your driving range each day for a week or two to get a feel for the prices. I find about 90% are over priced and will normally see the prices reduced over time. I believe $200 to $400 for a 500, $300 to $600 for a 510 and $400 to $800 for a 520 are worth looking at. I would stay away from any Shopsmith with rusty tubes. Just take your time as nice looking Shopsmiths do get listed. You must be able to instantly drive and pick up any cheap and nice looking Shopsmith the same day you call the seller and it is still available.

It is telling one what to 'ask' for one(as a possible thinly veiled attempt to advertise it's availability) that I am reluctant to 'discuss'.

I also do not like to do so 'sight unseen'.

However what something is worth to you is what you are willing to give for it.

You then have made a condition evaluation yourself etc..

$600 might be high, but if the condition is excellent, it may be reasonable. Question is, will you get $600 worth of value/use from it.

i.e. it be your decision.

'Problem' is, most of us would not part with ours for that amount. I think his mindset would be similar. The devil is in the details(extra stuff).

OK guys, I get you. I have two, both being used currently and in great shape, that I am looking at. I am not worried about the 500 fence and table system, as which ever one I buy of these two will power SPT's for me (The thought of Forrest's thread about double headed upper shaft power is making me all quiver )

I think I have "negotiated" the '83 I was asking about before to include a bandsaw, jointer, belt sander, and a lot of extras for $600. I feel that is fair for what it is. I also figure that I "could" spend that much on just the SPT's so the SS 500 is free (so to speak ). My wife is for it , so I will probably pull the trigger with the stipulation of a full inspection. Beside, you can't really call yourself a true SS person unless you have a handle to twirl .....

Thanks

I paid $1100 for my golden anniversary 520 a couple years ago, and was quite pleased with the deal. I still am, despite even better deals such as this cropping up lately. The fact that it is still there very likely has something to do with it being listed as a 510. There was another nice 520 on the Louisville Ky CL recently, for about the same price, that included a nice SPT.

No way that I would have missed a couple of years of SS experience to save a few hundred bucks. That said, any additional SS purchases are simply to reduce changeover time. Those purchases can wait for the very best deals.

Around these parts, huge bargains seem to come up about once every year or so, for any given tool. Which means that I currently own more SS toys than I have had time to play with.

If you have an immediate need, buy. If for future use, a year or two of monitoring the local market will teach you when to pounce.

Keep in mind that advice is worth only what you paid for it.

db5 wrote:Keep in mind that advice is worth only what you paid for it.

I closed the deal. I needed ???? the beltsander and bandsaw and feel this 500 can power them without a bunch of change over hassel. 600 dollars is a good price IMHO for this, so I am happy .... plus, I made this old guy's day. I told him I was going to use it. That was a big concern for him, he didn't want it to go to someone who was going to sell it off as parts.

I take it Dennis that you think 600 is too much . I am happy and yes I know I could probably find one cheaper (but not cleaner), but just curious ....


Dick

If you both walked away happy, then the price was right and capitalism wins again!

rjent wrote:

I closed the deal. I needed ???? the beltsander and bandsaw and feel this 500 can power them without a bunch of change over hassel. 600 dollars is a good price IMHO for this, so I am happy .... plus, I made this old guy's day. I told him I was going to use it. That was a big concern for him, he didn't want it to go to someone who was going to sell it off as parts.

I take it Dennis that you think 600 is too much . I am happy and yes I know I could probably find one cheaper (but not cleaner), but just curious ....


Dick

With three nice SPT's, I do think that is a good deal, and I would have made the same decision that you did. My point was only that great deals pop up every now and then, at least in my area, if you're willing to wait on them. About three months ago, for example, a CL ad was posted locally offering a nice MKV 500, with those same three SPT's, plus a jigsaw and a 12" planer. All for the grand total price of $400. Here's my tale of woe.