Shopsmith Forums

Someone just listed a used Shopsmith locally on OfferUp and I'm curious to know if it would be a good pruchase for me. I would probably try to bring the price down significantly if possible. I don't know anything about Shopsmiths, so I don't know what model this is, what accessories are there, and what individual machines this would or could take the place of. Here's a link to the pictures of the machine.


https://imgur.com/gallery/g1980


I'm currently working to turn an out building at my parents house into a wood working and general use shop. They already own the following.

Table Saw: Older corded Makita Job Site saw
Compound Miter Saw: 12" Craftsman chop saw
Two Radial Arm Saws: Both 10” Craftsman (my dad's and my grandpa's)
7ish inch Circular Saw
Small circular trim saw
Two old Jigsaws
Reciprocating saw
Random Orbital Sander
Handheld electric planer
A couple old hand planers
Many different hand saws
All the battery powered drills I need

It's pretty much all been used for building additions, a barn, remodels, decks, etc. But I recently got bit by a desire to do fine woodworking and realized with a few more purchases and a space to set everything up I could have a decent wood shop to start working in.


My thought is that if this could be brought into working condition it could turn several purchases into one and get me going a little faster than seeking out deals on individual machines. Also, I currently live in a studio apartment and am hoping to get a place with a garage and/or shed when my lease is up so I can have my own workspace rather than driving 40 minutes to work on projects (although it's a good excuse to see family.) So I'm wondering if this would take up less space than individual machines.


My worry is that if this machine needs a lot of repair time, parts, blades, etc. Also I have pets and worrying about them.I could be sinking more into it than buying the individual machines.


Finally, I have a strong desire to get a jointer and planer soon so I can at least have good stock to start with. Would it be reasonable to add those to this or is it better to get the individual machines?

You don't show where you are, but there is a glut of affordable SS equipment available. Some of it in practically new condition. The 300 dollars listed (I assume that is for the SS alone), can buy more than what the pictures show. Look on Craigslist and Ebay for more options for you. The Mark V 500 (shown) is a good machine and with another 2 or 3 hundred (500 or 600 total) you can buy used a full shop of belt sander, handsaw, jointer, and a full shopsmith (drill press, table saw, horizontal boring, disk sander, lathe) and be set. You can add the planer and other specialty tools later or maybe find a bargain. Either way, Shopsmith is a great way to go!

JMHO.

The whole package(SS,belt sander, jig saw) is likely worth the $300. Bargaining still recommended.

As for condition, that is a gamble. It all needs much TLC. However they are fairly easy to refurbish.

Question is, do you want to expend that effort?

Only one of the commenting responders was positive. Same one that actually owns one and uses it.

A jointer and a planer can each be attached as an accessory.

OH it is a Mark 5 === Mark V 500.

10" Table saw(not as bad as is often stated by non-owners).
12" disk sander.
Drill press
Horizontal boring
Lathe
Mortising machine(somewhat less effective)
Rout / shape
Variable speed(it's unique attribute)
There are many things that it will do that no other tool can.
Think of it as an erector set(assuming you know what that is)
Although designed a half century ago, there are thousands out there still operating and parts are still available and they are fairly easy to 'work on'.

The decision is yours to make.

JPG wrote: Only one of the commenting responders was positive. Same one that actually owns one and uses it.
10" Table saw(not as bad as is often stated by non-owners).
The decision is yours to make.

"EVERYBODY" thinks they know all about Shopsmiths because they heard something from their brother-in-laws third cousin that lives 3 ridges over and was trying to use one without any electricity... When cornered they usually say "Er, um, well, uh..." then admit that they really only walked past one once long ago...
Why yes, those people do annoy the crap out of me. Many of those guys (and it is usually guys) are the same ones that want to belittle your car, your house, your dog, your lawnmower and your wife... It's mostly an ego king of the mountain thing and should mostly be ignored.
They tend to be the same batch of guys like a few over on another forum that when some young new guys asks about fixing some old shed up on a shoestring budget so he can make a little sawdust they climb all over him basically telling him that unless he will spend $30,000 on it he should just stay home. Many times what they are best at is spending someone else's money...
We should be encouraging new young woodworkers to do the best they can with what they have available and have fun, not trying to talk down to them. That is one of the things I like about this group (and have for many years). This group is better about wanting to help folks than any other woodworking forum I visit. That alone is a good reason to have Shopsmith stuff.

OK, rant over... I feel better now.


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Just from the looks and sounds of it will need a few upgrades and some tlc to make it fit your needs ,,,and it is made in America as far as price I would say get it as cheap as you both can live with,it will,,, might,,, need belts and a good servicing and who knows what you may have to deal with ,, JMO a table upgrade to the larger table ,,fence,,and carriage will also make using it a little easier ,, like JPG said parts are still around.
Good luck if you chose to buy it.