Introduction and questions

[StokedOnWood]

Hey Y'all!
Yep. I'm a Texan. I recently bought a 510 from a friend. I really don't have a lot of experience, but for $500 with just about every accessory, I just couldn't pass it up.

Of course, there are a few things missing, lathe faceplate, pistol grip, minor stuff.

Anyway, I'm kind of leary of the table saw. First, since the table moves for height, I'm worried about accuracy, PLUS my receiving/assembly table can't line up. Second, should I keep my old portable table saw? I'm just not confident about it, especially with ripping miters.

Next, I'm more interested in wood turning than anything else with this machine. I was told by an old turner that these are hands down better than most dedicated lathes. True? If so, which should I invest in, Nova G3 or just the faceplate?

Also, it came with the biscuit joiner, but being that it's fixed in position, how do I do biscuits in the face of my material (i.e. for shelves)?

I've gotten some flak from friends with more experience. They say it's just a money pit. I'd like to prove them wrong. I try to spend money wisely. This seemed like a steal for the condition it was in. Maybe used 3 times since its purchase.

Thanks in advance for any help~!

[thunderbirdbat]

Welcome to the forum. There is a lot of information on this site and everyone will answer questions. Read the material that came with your SS. Here is one place to start getting to know your machine http://www.shopsmith.com/getting_started/index.htm. Read Power Tool Woodworking for Everyone if you do not have a copy I would suggest getting one. Here is the link to the online version http://www.shopsmith.com/academy/introduction.htm. These will help you understand the unique abilities of your SS. A lot of people do not like Shopsmith's because they do not take the time to understand them and their adaptability.

Accuracy is dependent on how patient you are in your setup for a particular function or adjustment. I tend to think of my SS to a giant erector set for woodworking. It may take a few tries but just about anything I want to do with it I can.

Having a separate table saw is a matter of preference and space limitations. I do not have one but others do.

I do not have a SS biscuit jointer so can not help you there.

The turning question I will leave to the more experienced turners but from what I have seen and from talking to turners a lot of the choice between a faceplate and a scroll chuck is personal preference.

[Hobbyman2]

I think you will find the SS a good bargain.

I would suggest up grading the table system and adding in and out feed tables , that will make the table top as large as you want it to be.

If you are limited with electric or space the SS is the ultimate machine,
Have fun

[thunderbirdbat]

There are two sticky notes at the top of the Maintenance and Repair section dedicated to people new to owning a Shopsmith with all the info and links that should also be reviewed.

Have fun exploring what you can do.

[JPG]

First welcome!

I am curious re those giving thee flak as to how many of them have personal experience with shopsmith.

Rip a miter?????

Not sure why a height adjustable table concerns thee regarding accuracy.

I do not understand the comment re receiving/assembly table. What are you referring to?

The table saw function does require diligent aligning, but rarely requires repeating that. Yes the main table is somewhat small, but the additional tables greatly increase the usable area.

If you are a novice re turning. I recommend using a faceplate until you have gained sufficient knowledge to know what else to get.

Your friends are correct in that it is a different animal from their single purpose machines. There are both pros and cons, but those who frequent here feel the pros outweigh the cons. Those are folks with actual hands on experience. And yes we be biased, but that is based on experience, not hearsay.

Not sure where the money pit comment comes from. Ask them whether they can get support from the manufacturer of their 'stuff' decades after they acquired it. SS supports stuff over a half century old!

Yes this stuff can be expensive compared the Chinese stuff that abounds today. See previous paragraph.

Again welcome to the madness!

[JPG]

As for the biscuit jointer question - http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/Tips_Ar ... scuits.htm

[StokedOnWood]

Thanks! Might take a little practice, but I think I can make this work!

[StokedOnWood]

Holy Cow!!! The table upgrade is $1500? I'm thinking the initial $500 investment was more than worth it, compared to a new machine, but I doubt I'll be upgrading much, unless I find used parts. Thanks for the help, though. Greatly appreciated.

[roy_okc]

@StokedOnWood,

Welcome to the forum.

Can you confirm that you definitely have a 510? I've seen people selling 500s on Craigslist, but advertising as 520s and 510s; probably not intentionally misrepresenting, just not knowledgeable. Here's a link where you can see the differences: http://www.songofthegreatlakes.com/ssmodels.htm. Note especially how the 510 and 520 have tubes that connect table pieces together, to include floating tables, while the 500 has no such capability.

If you truly have the 510, then there is no table upgrade, you already have the latest tables. There is an upgrade to the 520 style extrusion and rip fence, using your existing tables. The 510->520 upgrade doesn't give you any additional table space.

My experience for turning was that it was good for work between centers, but not so great for bowls, etc., where one end was not supported. That could well have been the fault of the chuck adapter that I was using. Other than the newest headstock, the Shopsmith's low speed can be too fast for roughing larger pieces that are significantly out of round/balance. Also, the Shopsmith is much louder than many decent lathes. I bought a Jet 1220 midi lathe a few years ago and definitely prefer that over the Shopsmith; however, the Shopsmith was a great way to experience and learn turning without significant extra costs.

As far as faceplate vs chuck, that will depend on what type of turning you plan to do. Many projects start on a faceplate and soon transition to a chuck. Suggest you see if you can find a local woodturning group to help you get started.

[Hobbyman2]

Holy Cow!!! The table upgrade is $1500? I'm thinking the initial $500 investment was more than worth it, compared to a new machine, but I doubt I'll be upgrading much, unless I find used parts. Thanks for the help, though. Greatly appreciated.

==========================





Compare that to the cost of a shop full of stand alone stuff,,,, all needing their own electric,,, and still not having the size tables you can achieve with the SS,,,,,,, it is still a bargain,,, buy used tables from America's favorite home shopping network a little at a time ,,,,as you need it,,,,, you can reduce your cost .

You can also make your own wooden feed tables using your SS......... or another option would be look into adjustable stands with rollers on them .