Shopsmith Forums

I'm looking at buying a used Shopsmith is there any certain years I should avoid? I can not afford a new one, but there are few used ones here in Denver, Co.

How well the previous owner(s) took care of the machine is much more a factor then the age in my opinion. Of the machines I own they are all "B" versions meaning they are all aged. The one in the best condition is the one I got new in 1976, the others have all come used and none of them have been taken care of as well as mine.

Ed

This un!
Old Greenie(with casters), but upgraded to a 520!!!

Check motor size. and drive train. 3/4---1 1/8hp and Gilmer---Poly v drive.

1 1/8 and Poly-v is best.

To echo an earlier response, there are no 'bad' years but, like most other things, later is better, condition is important and accessories (and manuals) are highly desirable.

If you look at the history of the Mark V's on the Shopmith web site, there were some significant upgrades over the years. Can't pull all of them out of my head at this time but there was a jump in motor size (3/4 HP to 1-1/2HP) in ?? mid-1970s, conversion to dual bearings in the head in 1986, introduction of 505, then 510 and then 520 (1986 to 1992??) (the 510 and 520 have a larger table and better fence - desirable, for sure), etc. And of course the upgrade to the PowerPro head and the new Mark 7 in the last couple of years.

A lot depends on the condition, of course. And a lot depends on what you want, your wood working skill, what tools you already have, etc.

We'll all standby to chip in our opinions! So write again.