Page 1 of 2

Purchasing Bandsaw

Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:09 pm
by putttn
Local fella has a Mark V bandsaw, "Like New - 11" ShopSmith Mark V Bandsaw, rarely been used, 5 blades and owners manual".
Has picture and looks pretty straight and he says it's in "great condition".
Wants $200 for it but doesn't know what year it is. Wondered if I should be looking for anything it should have and if it would fit my 95 Mark 510?

Purchasing Bandsaw

Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:23 pm
by dusty
One of the beauties about the Shopsmith. Nearly all of the SPTs are compatible with the 500, 505, 510 or 520. The bandsaw definitely is.

To determine age of your unit, all you need is the serial number.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/faq/bandsaw.htm

I think $200 was a reasonable price for an operational bandsaw.

Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:43 pm
by putttn
Thanks Dusty. Is there any additional accessories this saw might have or is available for it?

Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:57 pm
by dusty
putttn wrote:Thanks Dusty. Is there any additional accessories this saw might have or is available for it?
Yes there is.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... grades.htm

There is a new Bandsaw Rip Fence that was an upgrade provided by Kreg that I believe is now offered by Shopsmith.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/item ... =Find+Item

Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 9:56 am
by mtobey
Unless cast iron table.mike

Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 10:51 am
by dusty
What are the consequences of it being a cast iron table? Isn't one of the upgrades a conversion from cast iron to current aluminum table?:confused:

Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 11:53 am
by Ed in Tampa
dusty wrote:What are the consequences of it being a cast iron table? Isn't one of the upgrades a conversion from cast iron to current aluminum table?:confused:
Dusty I think the only consequence (if you want to call it that) is the fact if it is cast iron table and if you don't do the conversion to aluminum you can't use either of the two fences offered by SS without modification to the fence rails.

While I have never tied it I think both offerings particularily the Kreg could be modified to fit on the cast iron table. I would require some drilling of the both the table and the fence rail depending on hole placement.

Personally I'm pretty satisfied using the mitre gauge locked into place with face extensions, it has worked as a fence on my Bandsaw for years.
Ed

Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 12:20 pm
by dusty
Thank you, Ed. I think the discussions that have occurred so far on this thread should help puttn make a buy decision - even if he finds that the bandsaw is an older version with the cast iron table.

However, anyone who has information to add, I hope will do so before puttn loses his chance to buy this bandsaw. Speakup.

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 8:39 am
by putttn
Thanks guys. My SS is a 1995 model and I did get the model # and serial # for the bandsaw. Model #505641 and serial #091090. From the table Dusty provided I would assume it was built in 1990? I noticed on the table anything with a "date" serial # is built after 1987. Guess I could ask the fella if the table was aluminum.

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 10:48 am
by dusty
From the serial number, I would guess that it was built on September 10, 1990.