Shopsmith Forums

Good afternoon. I have been slowly getting into wood working as I accumulate tools. I enjoy it and want to progress from doing small projects and refinishing furniture to more in depth projects. I have a full set of cordless tools, circ saw, two fixed routers, 40 router bits, nail gun, router table, dozen clamps, miter saw, and a few other items. It seems the main thing I'm missing is a table saw, drill press, and a jointer.

My "workshop" is a 16x10 ft shed. There is shelves on one end and a work table on one so the usable space is probably 12x10 or so. I have four 110v outlets.

This popped up in my area recently and wanted to get everyone's opinion on my situation. It's a 510 mark V built on 01-14-1994 with jointer attachment.

I've heard the table saw is weak point on these. How weak is it? As a beginner would this suffice my needs? It seems you can't beat the 2x6 foot print with everything you get out of it.

https://norfolk.craigslist.org/tls/5306478075.html

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/search/ss ... =shopsmith

$350 with jointer seems like a decent deal.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Seems like a fair price. Before you buy it turn it on and make sure it will go through the range of speed. The rust on the jointer is no big deal and easily fixed. As far as the table saw being its weakest link that is to be taken with a grain of salt. Yes if you have gobs of room a nice large table saw is great asset. But if room and portability are a factor then nothing beats a SS. Yes it takes a little more setup time but it will get the job done and do it well.
Paul

ONLY TURN THE SPEED CHANGER DIAL WHEN THE MACHINE IS RUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Capertrj wrote:Good afternoon. I have been slowly getting into wood working as I accumulate tools. I enjoy it and want to progress from doing small projects and refinishing furniture to more in depth projects. I have a full set of cordless tools, circ saw, two fixed routers, 40 router bits, nail gun, router table, dozen clamps, miter saw, and a few other items. It seems the main thing I'm missing is a table saw, drill press, and a jointer.

My "workshop" is a 16x10 ft shed. There is shelves on one end and a work table on one so the usable space is probably 12x10 or so. I have four 110v outlets.

This popped up in my area recently and wanted to get everyone's opinion on my situation. It's a 510 mark V built on 01-14-1994 with jointer attachment.

I've heard the table saw is weak point on these. How weak is it? As a beginner would this suffice my needs? It seems you can't beat the 2x6 foot print with everything you get out of it.

https://norfolk.craigslist.org/tls/5306478075.html

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/search/ss ... =shopsmith

$350 with jointer seems like a decent deal.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to the forum. I hope you are seeking a place where you will hear many, many opinions. I am going to give you one right now.

I do not believe that the table saw pictured in your first link is a point of weakness. It may be (and I repeat may be (still another opinion)) on some of the older machines that had small tables. Your machine does not have the small tables.

Now, if you are thinking about being a professional cabinet maker, we'll have to recant on that.

Looks like he has had multiple replies about the shop smith. If everything checks out is 350$ a good deal?

Capertrj wrote:Looks like he has had multiple replies about the shop smith. If everything checks out is 350$ a good deal?

Many here are reluctant to say one way or another is a machine is a good deal or not. So many variables. IMHO the 350 is OK, you need to make sure that all of the small parts (drill chuck, sanding disk, lathe paraphernalia, etc) are there, or you could spend quite a bit replacing those. The greenie for 50 bucks with extra headstock, is probably worth getting as well. .

Download http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/downl ... p?id=28612 print and take it with you for reference.

Remember, a shopsmith is worth what you are willing to spend and what your needs are.

JMHO

Capertrj wrote:Looks like he has had multiple replies about the shop smith. If everything checks out is 350$ a good deal?

IF it is COMPLETE and in good working order, it is a good deal for the Norfolk area. I'm in Maryland and regularly keep track of prices on Shopsmith stuff in DC, MD and VA and that's a good price.

BUT there's lots of things that are standard with a Shopsmith that are not showing up in the photos. Non-exhaustive list off the top of my head:

- lower saw guard
- upper saw guard
- miter guage
- floating tables (2) and telescopic legs (2)
- drill chuck
- tail stock
- lathe drive center
- lathe dead center
- lathe tools (chisels)
- 12" sanding disk

Ask the seller and if you go to look at it, keep an eye peeled for pieces that may be laying about or are in the ubiquitous "box" of Shopsmith stuff.

Al

I would get the greenie, bet one of the belts is broken since it is a Gilmer drive, can set it up as a dedicate DP or for the jointer and disc sander, maybe make it a shorty.
350 is a fair price and yes has the larger table so as a TS is more then adiquit unless working with very large sheet goods constantly.

dusty wrote: I do not believe that the table saw pictured in your first link is a point of weakness. It may be (and I repeat may be (still another opinion)) on some of the older machines that had small tables. Your machine does not have the small tables.

Now, if you are thinking about being a professional cabinet maker, we'll have to recant on that.

Agree with this^. But you will need to get used to working somewhat differently than any other table saw you have used. Mainly you need to get used to raising and lower the table (versus the blade) and tilting the table for bevel cuts (versus tilting the blade).

I bought my Shopsmith to be a drill press and a lathe. I never thought I would use it as a table saw because I had a contractor saw with a cast iron table and an excellent aftermarket fence. The Shopsmith turned out to be just as capable, if not more so, and because space in my shop didn't easily accommodate both the Shopsmith and the contractor saw, the contractor saw went by-by. I have no regrets.

Just called. I asked if it included the above items. Here is the reply:

"No this is a stock mark v it has the rip fence, over sized table, saw blade arbor, and jointer. There is no floating table legs, lathe parts, drill chuck or sanding disk."