Shopsmith Forums

I'm likely going to lose my current shop space to a family member who is ill and will be moving into the space. My shop will be moving to part of a 2 car garage.

I'll be losing the following:

• 3HP DC since I can't power it in the garage anyway

• my primary router table

• one of my two workbenches

• my line drilling system

• my dad's radial arm saw, but I'll find a place to store this.

I am keeping:

• iron table saw with an auxilliary router table

• miter saw

• Festool stuff since it is small

• one workbench

• One of my Shopsmiths, but I can't decide which one. I currently have two Mark 5 520s, both with jointers, and a bandsaw as well as a 10ER with a jigsaw and speed changer and I will only have room to keep one of them.

I have used one of the 520s for on site work from time to time since it is easy to roll into my trailer. That is the only time the table saw function gets used. I've never tried, but I assume the bandsaw and jointer can be used with the 10ER, but I've never done that. I'm leaning towards keeping the 10ER since it is just plain cool, and the 520s would be easier to replace in the future if necessary.

What are your thoughts or is this further evidence that I'm insane?

Sorry you have to downsize. I agree the Model 10ER is cool, but it can be outperformed by a 520. That being said the Model 10ER being a heavier weight tool is a plus when it comes to Lathe turning. Having the Speed Changer even better. You can use SPT's like the Bandsaw and Jointer on a Model 10, but it requires the special Power Mount Adapter Kit shown in the attached PDF. They are not often found and generally bring a premium price when they do go up for sale.
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For the ability to use SPT's I would personally keep a Mark V over a Model 10 even though I have the Power Mount Adapter Kit for mine.

A thought comes to mind about keeping a second Shopsmith. When taken apart it can be very compact if you can find a little space to store it. That would give you back one when space permits again without having to go through the trouble of finding a replacement later. For the Model 10ER it can mostly fit in a bin except the Way Tubes and Bench parts. If you have the Shopsmith Metal Bench Ends remove the two wood top pieces and save them with the Way Tubes out of the way putting the other parts into a bin. If you have an all-wood Bench, it would be harder to store out of the way. Taking apart a Mark V 520 would be similar storing the Bench and Way Tubes separately and the rest in a bin or two.

Every time I downsize I feel better about it. Like many I would acquire lots of tools just in case I needed to do something in a certain way. It becomes a never ending practice. Every year I ask myself, what can I get rid of. It can be a good thing, downsizing.

I laid out the living space where my shop is, and figured out what will fit in the garage. I'll be selling one of my 520's and keeping the other in the shop. I haven't figured out how to fit my cast iron saw in the new shop space so it may end up getting sold as well.

Fate of the 10ER. I'm going to get rid of the couch in my office and move the 10 ER to my office as a show piece. Once all the other work is done and the new shop space configured. I'll build a a new stand/pedestal for it and a show cabinet for all the accessories. It will need polish and paint to gather the admiration it deserves, but it is being retired ... for now. I've only had the 10ER for a couple of years but it has grown on me like an homeless puppy.

That sounds like a great plan, Chris. If I had to downsize, my 520 would be the last machine in my shop.

Making the 10ER an office showpiece is absolutely brilliant! I have one with all the accessories, including a few rare ones, but really have no room in my workshop for it, and little actual functional need. You have me thinking …

My shop is nearly empty, my garage is a train wreck, and I am sore all over from moving all this stuff. My 10 ER is in its happy new home.

Chris,

Your Model 10ER looks great there. I like the contrast in tools with the Mark V on the screen and it's Olaf approved.

Chris
That is a Monumental move for your 10 ER.

It looks at home there.