Shopsmith Forums

I have a relatively new 520 with an Incra miter guage and very pleased with the results. Looking to adding a 2nd SS to my shop (still have to convince the wife)

Since I already have a great table saw function and looking for a 2nd basically to use as a lathe (pens and small stuff), sharpening statin, and SPT platform, is there any advantage to buying anything better than a very basic Mark V ? Would probably cut it down to a "Mini", if so would I be just as well off with a Power Station ?

All suggestions appreciated...

bob

Bob

I have both and prefer my mini over the power station. It is more user friendly, versatile and quieter. For a second SS a mark 5 would work fine, but remember that the 2 bearing quill came out in 1984. Of course if you run into a deal on a 510 or 520, I wouldn't pass it up.

Mark

major_bob wrote:Since I already have a great table saw function and looking for a 2nd basically to use as a lathe (pens and small stuff), sharpening statin, and SPT platform, is there any advantage to buying anything better than a very basic Mark V ? Would probably cut it down to a "Mini", if so would I be just as well off with a Power Station ?

All suggestions appreciated...

bob

The MINI does not have any room for the carriage. I use them as a replacement for the Power Station. I find the power station seems to vibrate a lot more than the Mark V headstock and has a lot less speed range. Several members has cut the legs from a 500 main table and rewelded them to fit as a replacement for the extension table giving a much wider table that tilts and can be raised/lowered for the MINI.

I find making the way tubes from 30" to 34" (SHORTY), the carriage can be used. To use the conical sanding disk, I ended up with the 34" length way tubes (18" shorter & 2/3th length) and this made a nice lathe and drill press plus Power Station. The bench tubes must be 3/4" longer than the way tubes when cutting the tubes.

I find that since I was not using the sawing function on the MINI or SHORTY Shopsmith, the older headstocks with 3/4 HP motors will accomplish all the tasks I wanted. Plus, the 3/4 HP headstocks are normally much cheaper to buy and all the later 1 1/8 HP headstock parts still fits as replacements if needed.

major_bob wrote:I have a relatively new 520 with an Incra miter guage and very pleased with the results. Looking to adding a 2nd SS to my shop (still have to convince the wife)

Since I already have a great table saw function and looking for a 2nd basically to use as a lathe (pens and small stuff), sharpening statin, and SPT platform, is there any advantage to buying anything better than a very basic Mark V ? Would probably cut it down to a "Mini", if so would I be just as well off with a Power Station ?

All suggestions appreciated...

bob

I have a 510 and a 500 still at original way-tube lengths. Generally I use the 510 for table-sawing but occasionally the 500 as well. For lathe-turning my pens, I have a slight preference for the 500-style. It has to do with the geometry of the carriage and the tool-rest (especially when using the 8" long rest). The 500 lets that long rest tuck very close to a 6 inch pen blank on the lathe. With the 510, generally only the short-length rest (4") will move in that close to a pen blank, which is fine if you do one half of the blank at a time.

major_bob

If I had a second Shopsmith, I would leave it at full length. I see no reason to reduce the functionality of a machine by reducing its length.

If you don't have room for a second "full size" machine, in my opinion, you don't have room for a second machine.

Now, if someone was to give me a second machine, I certainly would not turn it down simply because it had been shortened. I would love it and care for it just as though it was normal.

I have come to respect the knowledge and experience of this group so I ask the question:

If I had the choice of buying a 2nd SS (used) or a new table saw which would be the consensus of the forum? I am pleased with the performance of my 520 as a table saw (although wish it had a little more outfeed depth), but tire of the change over when I need to utilize it's other functions. A 2nd SS would allow me to keep my 520 in table saw mode. A dedicated table saw (considering the new Ridgid granite top) would allow me to easily use my current SS in all its other configurations.

major_bob wrote:I have come to respect the knowledge and experience of this group so I ask the question:

If I had the choice of buying a 2nd SS (used) or a new table saw which would be the consensus of the forum? I am pleased with the performance of my 520 as a table saw (although wish it had a little more outfeed depth), but tire of the change over when I need to utilize it's other functions. A 2nd SS would allow me to keep my 520 in table saw mode. A dedicated table saw (considering the new Ridgid granite top) would allow me to easily use my current SS in all its other configurations.

For many of us Shopsmith owners, this is like asking the fox to guard the chicken house. If the 520 is able to accomplish your sawing needs without too many problems, then I would recommend buying an older 500 Shopsmith (60-80s) and maybe convert it to a SHORTY or MINI. Keep the 520 in the table saw mode. The Mark V headstocks are interchangeable so you have an additional headstock if you ever had a problem with either one until it could be repaired. If you have the room, I would suggest a SHORTY set up as a drill press, lathe, sanding & sharpening station and a MINI as a power station.

I would vote for a second Mark V. I enjoy both of my 520's and the cahnge over question is the primary reason. In time I will buy a third to use solely for my OPR set up. fjimp

major_bob wrote:I have come to respect the knowledge and experience of this group so I ask the question:

If I had the choice of buying a 2nd SS (used) or a new table saw which would be the consensus of the forum? I am pleased with the performance of my 520 as a table saw (although wish it had a little more outfeed depth), but tire of the change over when I need to utilize it's other functions. A 2nd SS would allow me to keep my 520 in table saw mode. A dedicated table saw (considering the new Ridgid granite top) would allow me to easily use my current SS in all its other configurations.

I'll break with the crowd and say that I would prefer a dedicated table saw and use the SS for all other functions. I recently had the opportunity to purchase a Ridgid 3650 on eBay for under $300 and have NO regrets with the purchase. I, personally, much prefer the Ridgid for the table saw functions to my SS. Don't get me wrong, I love my Shopsmith and use it almost daily in some capacity but I like the dedicated table saw for the simplicity of set up and the fact that you never have to setup and align extension tables, floating tables, and outfeed tables. The blade tilts on the Ridgid making bevel cuts MUCH simpler.

If I had to choose between the SS and the Ridgid, it's not even a contest; the Shopsmith wins hands down. Since I didn't have to choose and can have both, I am very happy with my decision.

If you ARE considering a Ridgid table saw, you might want to consider a used 3650. On the 3650 the fence is better and the rails are continuous where the granite saw has split rails. I prefer the cast iron table to the granite one because you can use magnetic jigs and fixtures and it is not prone to chips. It may require a little more maintenance to prevent rust but that is still my preference.

If you decide on a 3650, keep a watch on Craig's List. They come up in my area on a regular basis for under $350 and I even saw one go for $250. $250 is a STEAL for this saw.

Please keep in mind that the above statements are my personal opinions and preferences and may not reflect your own personal preferences or that of the other forum members.

O.K. I believe those that prefer a dedicated, stand alone table saw. HOWEVER - - As I moved the Mark V and the SPT table today, to make room for putting 40 to 50 Bd Ft up on the lumber shelves. It was easy to realize there is not room in my shop for such. Maybe this is my loss, but haven't yet felt the consequences of not having one.

We were talking about re-arranging shops on another thread - also we have discussed designing shops. Well - - my shop was designed around a Mark V, the accessory table, a couple of benches and 72 lineal feet of wall space 8 ft. tall. Eight feet of the wall is taken up with lumber storage and sheet goods storage.

When in the middle of a furniture project, there is room for the carcase of the piece (on a rolling lift cart) and room for a clamping table (my expandable bench).