Shopsmith Forums

I have some pictures of a Mark 5 that is about an hour away from my home. The owner says it has been in storage for four years and is asking 400. Just by the pictures, would you even consider it? I know its hard to see how much pitting there is. Thank you and this is my first post.

Trever

$40 would more reasonable.

That is some very severe corrosion and unless you are inclined to devote considerable time and effort to getting it usable, I would pass on it.

$40 would be a steal!! Yes, I'd bargain for a lesser price but there is easily $400 worth of usable parts represented in those pictures.

Is it worth $400?

Yes, But Only if you are ready for A Lot of work ahead of you.

You can find a Lot better Machine at that price with minimal work.

I am going after machine #5 tomorrow and none of them looked that bad and were priced $500 and under.

I like the $40 dollar price

Thank you all for your advice. I have found some better machines in the area as well.

There would be a lot of work involved to restore it but not impossible. You could likely talk the seller down due to its condition. If it has been for sale for a long time that will make the seller more likely to accept a lower price too. One thing to note on this sale is the inclusion of the Jig Saw, Jointer, Belt Sander and Bandsaw. It looks like there are some extra parts too. I noticed a second Main Table with less corrosion than the Table mounted on the Mark 5. Some of the worst rust appears to be on the Jointer. I restored one that looked like that and it came out pretty good. A lot of surface rust on the tables and fence. It came with a Mark 5 that needed a lot of work too.

_ .
Something to consider about the SPT's is the Bandsaw, Belt Sander and Jointer are still made so new parts for them and a lot of parts for the Mark 5, if needed, are available from Shopsmith. Lots of used parts are available for the Mark 5 and the SPT's too.

Most of that corrosion has been caused by rapid temp changes that leave 'dew' on the metal parts. With nobody there to wipe it off, it stains. 'Usually", it's only surface(on the aluminum at least) and will be removed with a lot of elbow grease. As was said, if there are better examples available to you and the owner won't come down in price about that mess, move along.

The owner should be shocked/ashamed about his storage technique. In his climate, he should know better.

Kevin

I am a gluten for punishment, I would be all over that.

AllenH wrote: Fri Aug 09, 2024 4:42 pm I am a gluten for punishment, I would be all over that.

Have you been checked for celiac?

stihlsawer wrote: Fri Jul 26, 2024 10:08 pm The owner says it has been in storage for four years and is asking 400. Just by the pictures, would you even consider it?

Sorry I’m pretty late to the party on this discussion, but if you’re still considering this acquisition, I’ve got one other thought that might help.

A surprisingly accurate measure for the condition of a machine can be deduced from the condition of the red plastic handles on the headstock and carriage. I don’t know what formula was used for the plastic on these handles back in the mid 1950s, but even on pretty rusted machines I’ve restored, these handles can clean up amazingly well… so long as they weren’t sitting in the sun!

So while the owner claims it’s been in storage the last 4 years, the fading I see on that carriage handle tells me this machine also spent a significant portion of the prior 60+ years of it’s existence outdoors.

That doesn’t mean it’s not worth acquiring - I’ve restored some really abused train wrecks to like-new condition (Greenies like this were very well made and very durable compared to later vintages) - but I would balk at the $400 asking price. I’d need to be more in the $200 range to take on this one… Just my $.02 - good luck!