Shopsmith Forums

Just read the email Ad regarding the sale on Discontinued Items......Many are for the 500....Does this mean we are to receive no more support for these machines?:( .....dick

I don't know for sure, but I assume only parts that are specific to only the 500 would be unavailable. As you know, the headstock and frame have not changed much over the years, so I don't think you need to worry about that. In my opinion, anyone with a 500 should upgrade to a 510 or 520 anyway. Sure, it's expensive, but you can't get into woodworking without some expense.

Bruce wrote:but you can't get into woodworking without some expense.

I've already had the expense, now I need to learn how to use everything I have. Besides the fact I don't have the room for a 520 and be able to use it.

Thanks for your thoughtful reply........I've had my machine for 20 years now....I really see no reason to upgrade just to have more iron in the woodshed....I also feel it would be a major mistake to discontinue the 500....The machine that has been the back bone of the company.....I would be afraid to buy another shopsmith if they do away with the 500....That 510 of yours might be next....

Bruce wrote:I don't know for sure, but I assume only parts that are specific to only the 500 would be unavailable. As you know, the headstock and frame have not changed much over the years, so I don't think you need to worry about that. In my opinion, anyone with a 500 should upgrade to a 510 or 520 anyway. Sure, it's expensive, but you can't get into woodworking without some expense.

I agree FOR MYSELF but do not agree with this statement in general. For many people, the 500 is all of the machine they need and it does everything it does quite well.

re: 500 discontinued parts

I looked at the page briefly and it really didn't seem like actual model-500 parts listed there. Trunnions didn't match 500 p/n's, listed belts seemed strange, and so on. Maybe it was for a Crafter Station or something?

I believe Shopsmith is just cleaning out misc. parts that noone has ordered in a few years to make room on their shelves. Nothing to worry about at this time.

For anyone interested, I have a few dozen 10E/10ERs and 500s put away if anyone needs a part that is no longer sold by Shopsmith. I like the old Greenies with the Gilmer Drive and 3/4 HP motors which is what I use in my shop. Also, I have the capability to repair/rebuild and/or test the Gilmer clutch.

dickroan wrote:Thanks for your thoughtful reply........I've had my machine for 20 years now....I really see no reason to upgrade just to have more iron in the woodshed....I also feel it would be a major mistake to discontinue the 500....The machine that has been the back bone of the company.....I would be afraid to buy another shopsmith if they do away with the 500....That 510 of yours might be next....

Hi Dick,
They already have discontinued the model 500. They did so years ago. Can anyone here say when the last model 500 was sold??

I visited the Puyallup fair two days ago and the demonstrator (not Mike Young) was demonstrating the model 505. When I commented that he was knot demonstrating the model 520, he told me that they always showed the "basic" model 505, and gave the purchaser the option to buy the 505 or upgrade to a model 510 or 520.

BTW, when I asked him (in private) how sales were going at the fair, he told me they were doing good, that he was having "a good fair". And unlike my last few experiences with Mike Young, he was smiling when he talked to people. Also, unlike Mike Young, when he found out that I already had a Mark V, he continued to be friendly.

Those owners of model 500 wood knot be adding "more iron in the woodshed" when they upgrade, but rather replacing some of that heavy iron with lighter aluminum! There are plenty of model 500 owners, just like you, that will have all of their needs met by their current model. Nothing wrong with that! But there are many benefits to upgrading. Some of which include the "t" slot for the miter guage, the larger main table, and the ability to cut large sheet goods easier. Knot to mention the increased safty and dust collecting aspects.

a1gutterman wrote:Hi Dick,
They already have discontinued the model 500. They did so years ago. Can anyone here say when the last model 500 was sold??

LOOKS like it hasn't happened yet.

http://www.shopsmith.com/markvsite/purchaseNB.htm

beeg wrote:LOOKS like it hasn't happened yet.

Sorry]http://www.shopsmith.com/markvsite/purchaseNB.htm

Sorry beeg, but that is a model 505 followed by a 510 and then a 520.

If you have a cast iron main table, it is likely that you have a model 500. If you have the aluminum main table, it is likely that you have a model 505.

edit: I thought that the smaller 500 main tables (with no "t" slot for the miter guage) were iron. Having never owned a 500 I did knot know. bettyt says that all of his model 500 have aluminum tables. I will take his word on that and apologize for the error. What remains is that SS has only been offering the 505, 510 and 520 for a long time.