Shopsmith Forums

I bought a Mark V 520 about a month ago for $450. Drove 2 hrs 1 way to get it. It came with a jointer and bandsaw. Definitely been sitting in a barn for 15 years. Tables and metal with usual corrosion. Been working on getting back to usable condition. Have not looked at the headstock yet, but if the bandsaw is any indication, it is full of dirt dauber nests.

The missing parts came up to about $300. Have put another $500 in accessories.

If there is a next time, I will spend more to get one with out all the corrosion.

Those new units on SS web site sure do look good right about now.

Jerry,

It sounds like you got a pretty good deal but that is without seeing it myself. As long as it is not a rusted mess, paying $450 and another $300 for missing/replacement parts is, in my opinion, a great buy for a 520 plus the Jointer and Bandsaw even if you have to put a few more dollars into it. As for the $500 for additional accessories if they are items that don't come originally with the tools you may have bought them anyway. Having a shiny new tool is always nice but you can make these into shiny new like tools you can be proud of. If you are anything like me, I enjoy working on/restoring Shopsmith tools as much as using them, then you will have a rewarding time putting these tools back into prime condition.

Sounds like a pretty good deal for a 520 to me. Cleaning is time consuming but not as big a negative as necessary parts and accessories missing. I got lucky with my first Shopsmith, it was well accoutered with the saw guards, fence and miter gauge, extra saw arbors and blades, drill chuck, sanding sanding disk plus a second smaller two side diasdrums, a universal arbor, dado insert, all the basic push sticks and boards along with the fence straddling gizmo, lathe centers, faceplate, and a set of lathe chisels. If you get an additional Shopsmith you can find a deal where a lot of that stuff is missing, but you already have them and don't need a second set. Of course the best deal on used machines will come with a big box o' parts to dig through and fill out your collection.

The 520 was listed on Facebook Market Place for $600. When I contacted the seller I knew she was tired of looking at it so she took my $450 offer. I knew it was worth the $450 by including the jointer and bandsaw. The 520 table system alone was worth the $450. Pictures are always a crap shoot. When I saw it in person the miter gauge was seized in the table miter slot from corrosion. Any part that was not aluminum was rusted. The bandsaw was full of dirt dauber nests. The jointer bed was rusted, etc., etc.

I did not even try to run the headstock. I am sure it has its own dauber nests too. It is next on my list to clean up. At this point I am keeping an eye out for a Power Pro headstock. I see a few on eBay and Marketplace. Is buying one used a good risk to take?
Thanks

gac5ss wrote: Mon Feb 20, 2023 6:56 am I did not even try to run the headstock. I am sure it has its own dauber nests too. It is next on my list to clean up. At this point I am keeping an eye out for a Power Pro headstock. I see a few on eBay and Marketplace. Is buying one used a good risk to take?
Thanks

If the price is low enough the risk is worth it. but two of the three major components of a PowerPro are very expensive, $600 for the power supply, and $775 for the motor. I bought one including a like new base with double tilt and lift assist for $500. It has a problem, but not real bad and I'm using it in my drill press without issues. It still would have a problem trying to run a 12" sanding disk, and perhaps with a saw blade also. I could have considered it coming out ahead even if I had to buy those expensive parts, but it's wouldn't really be ahead because that's more than I would have wanted to spend in total.

I agree with Ed, if the price is right it is worth the risk. My perception of the market is that Power Pros often go used for around $1500, either by themselves or in the form of a higher price for a used Mark. At that price point, I'd be reluctant to take the risk. Like Ed, I got a used one that had problems. It's fine now, but I might have been better off with a new DIY kit.

- David

Thanks for your information.

gac5ss wrote: Mon Feb 20, 2023 6:56 am At this point I am keeping an eye out for a Power Pro headstock. I see a few on eBay and Marketplace. Is buying one used a good risk to take?
Thanks

Also, just to be put it into perspective. StriaTech makes the PowerPro guts, i.e. motor, motor controller/power supply, LCD display for Shopsmith. They sell these components to the general market, but they are not the Shopsmith part numbers, so you can't swap them out (Shopsmith version is a custom one sold only to Shopsmith who resells it). My point is these components (motor, motor controller/power supply, LCD display) sell for around $500 TOTAL to the general market. You can buy these and make mounts for them for any woodworking tools or other machinery, but not easy to retrofit them into a Shopsmith headstock. Pointing this out because, if I were to do it I would only buy a brand new one from Shopsmith, but that is just me. Given that the same basic function from the OEM is only $899 (used to be $550 - inflation ), it gives me A LOT of heartburn to pay 3x for it from Shopsmith, which is why I have never upgraded to it. I am also very happy with my 520 headstock and it is very reliable (more reliable than a PowerPro IMHO). The main attraction for me to get the PowerPro for myself would be for lathe use (lower speed without speed reducer and reverse for sanding). My suggestion would be think about the benefits of the PowerPro for the particular type of woodworking or projects that you have and decide if it is worth $2.5k to you. JMO.

https://striatech.com/shop/1-75-hp-motor/

RFGuy wrote: Tue Feb 21, 2023 8:10 pm Also, just to be put it into perspective. StriaTech makes the PowerPro guts, i.e. motor, motor controller/power supply, LCD display for Shopsmith. They sell these components to the general market, but they are not the Shopsmith part numbers, so you can't swap them out (Shopsmith version is a custom one sold only to Shopsmith who resells it). My point is these components (motor, motor controller/power supply, LCD display) sell for around $500 TOTAL to the general market. You can buy these and make mounts for them for any woodworking tools or other machinery, but not easy to retrofit them into a Shopsmith headstock. Pointing this out because, if I were to do it I would only buy a brand new one from Shopsmith, but that is just me. Given that the same basic function from the OEM is only $899 (used to be $550 - inflation ), it gives me A LOT of heartburn to pay 3x for it from Shopsmith, which is why I have never upgraded to it. I am also very happy with my 520 headstock and it is very reliable (more reliable than a PowerPro IMHO). The main attraction for me to get the PowerPro for myself would be for lathe use (lower speed without speed reducer and reverse for sanding). My suggestion would be think about the benefits of the PowerPro for the particular type of woodworking or projects that you have and decide if it is worth $2.5k to you. JMO.

In fairness to Shopsmith, the DIY kit includes new Quill, Drive Sleeve Assy, Idler shaft, belts, motor mounts, switches (B and C headstock versions),power cord, etc. All of which add cost not represented in the $899 OEM price. Current sale price is about 2X, but this is an apples and oranges comparison. And IIRC Shopsmith's price has not gone up significantly since I bought mine at one of the last pre-Covid Lowe's demos in early 2020.

I'm not suggesting it is not expensive or that we're not paying a premium for the SS-unique packaging of the display and controller, I'm sure we are. But it doesn't strike me as outrageous. The used market also continues to place a premium value on PowerPro.

- David

DLB wrote: Wed Feb 22, 2023 9:42 am In fairness to Shopsmith, the DIY kit includes new Quill, Drive Sleeve Assy, Idler shaft, belts, motor mounts, switches (B and C headstock versions),power cord, etc. All of which add cost not represented in the $899 OEM price. Current sale price is about 2X, but this is an apples and oranges comparison. And IIRC Shopsmith's price has not gone up significantly since I bought mine at one of the last pre-Covid Lowe's demos in early 2020.

I'm not suggesting it is not expensive or that we're not paying a premium for the SS-unique packaging of the display and controller, I'm sure we are. But it doesn't strike me as outrageous. The used market also continues to place a premium value on PowerPro.

- David

David,

I just wanted to point out to the OP that he needs to consider the value of it and compare it against what he intends to do with that particular Mark V. In my opinion, there are two factors at play FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and confirmation bias. For a while, I had FOMO about the PowerPro and seriously considered getting one. After seeing it in person at a SS demo at Lowes and getting my hands on it briefly I decided it wasn't worth it - I've discussed my reasons ad infinitum in the past here so I won't list them again. I got over my FOMO regarding the PowerPro. With regard to confirmation bias, all of us have it. As soon as you buy a shiny new toy, like a sports car, new house, new grill, etc., etc. you talk yourself into why you had to have it post purchase. All of us do it. I've done it with Festool gear and I spend serious brain cycles on holding it in check...constantly looking to find an equilibrium where my thoughts are more fact based and less emotion about the actual purchase. I am about the only forum member that gives a dissenting opinion on the PowerPro on this forum, so I just wanted to give a different viewpoint should the OP have limited funds and/or doesn't really need the PowerPro's capabilities. With regard to price, well the StriaTech DIY/general kit was $550 less than a year ago so that is a large price increase only recently due to perceived inflation and more likely price gouging from the manufacturer. No matter what multiplier (2x, 3x, 4x) you put on it, the PowerPro is significantly more expensive than the "guts" inside of it. I wouldn't add up the retail price of quill, drive sleeve assy, idler shaft, belts, motor mounts, switches, etc. because that too is an apples and oranges comparison. It will put margin on top of margin for SS profit on the machine. In any event the extra "stuff" inside of the PowerPro are not all that expensive IMHO. We are not talking about high precision turbine parts here. Let's say it adds another $300 to the PowerPro - added to the $899 from StriaTech, that is $1200 which is half the cost of a new complete PowerPro. That is a 100% markup for the PowerPro as it has now moved up to $2.5k for a new purchase. Most businesses thrive on a 30% margin on their products and keep in mind if StriaTech charges $899 for the retail kit, then I guarantee SS pays significantly less than that to acquire it. Bottomline, the guts inside of a PowerPro can't be that expensive. Now that Ed is reporting a significant increase in the replacement parts for the PowerPro (power supply motor, and LCD display) I would have even more concerns about purchasing one now. I know I am in the minority here, but just wanted to give an alternate viewpoint.