Shopsmith Forums

I am new to the world of finer woodworking ( I can build a pretty good horse shed though!) and am approaching retirement. I want to start making children's toys for the "grands"and progress from there.
I am looking at a 20 year old Mark5 with band saw and a few other options for $2500 plus freight vs. a new Mark 7 with lots of options for $7500 vs. stand alone machines. We have a table saw, a miter saw, jig saw, drill press,radial arm saw and belt/pad sanders already.
I would appreciate some feedback.
Thank you.

If you can afford it, buy the Mark 7. It has features that take it to another level. You can always buy a used Mark without the extras for a few hundred if you want more than one SS.

Just my .02

BTW, I am new to this also, and I can build a building also (and wire it and plumb it, etc.) but the woodworking thing is a whole other world that I am finding very rewarding ....

rjent wrote:If you can afford it, buy the Mark 7. It has features that take it to another level. You can always buy a used Mark without the extras for a few hundred if you want more than one SS.

Just my .02

BTW, I am new to this also, and I can build a building also (and wire it and plumb it, etc.) but the woodworking thing is a whole other world that I am finding very rewarding ....

In other words, 2500 is a bit steep.

Where are you located? Used prices vary widely with location.

I would start with a used Mark 5/V first to make sure you are comfortable with the 'excentricities' of a 'multi-tool'. A Mark 7 may then make sense. You will not feel a need to 'trade in' the first one.

mitchclemmer wrote:I am new to the world of finer woodworking ( I can build a pretty good horse shed though!) and am approaching retirement. I want to start making children's toys for the "grands"and progress from there.
I am looking at a 20 year old Mark5 with band saw and a few other options for $2500 plus freight vs. a new Mark 7 with lots of options for $7500 vs. stand alone machines. We have a table saw, a miter saw, jig saw, drill press,radial arm saw and belt/pad sanders already.
I would appreciate some feedback.
Thank you.

%2,500 would be high here in PA. Check Craig's List for your area (no freight). Best to get a Mark V 510 or 520. If you start with a 500 you'll want to upgrade soon to the larger and more versatile 510 or 520 table system. It's usually a lot less expensive to start out with a used 510 or 520 than it is to get a used 500 and then upgrade.

Jim

You have a decent amount of equipment on hand so what features/tools on the Shopsmith most interest you?

Lathe and bandsaw

And a scroll saw