Shopsmith Forums

I have two Mk Vs, one a 1986 510 that I got new and converted to a 520. It has a 1 1/8 hp motor and a non safety switch. The other one is a 1999 510 with the safety switch. I got it used but it hardly ever ran. They are both equiped with the same components and both work well along with being maintained. I can only keep one due to space reasons. Which ever one I choose I will keep or convert to a 520. Which one should I choose? Which one is a better machine and why? Thank you ahead of time for your answers.
Jim B.
Grass Valley, Ca.

retcaptb wrote:I have two Mk Vs, one a 1986 510 that I got new and converted to a 520. It has a 1 1/8 hp motor and a non safety switch. The other one is a 1999 510 with the safety switch. I got it used but it hardly ever ran. They are both equiped with the same components and both work well along with being maintained. I can only keep one due to space reasons. Which ever one I choose I will keep or convert to a 520. Which one should I choose? Which one is a better machine and why? Thank you ahead of time for your answers.
Jim B.
Grass Valley, Ca.

Depends on which 'switch' you like!;) Other than any difference in condition/wear there are no other differences. Resale of the 99 one may be easier since it is not as 'old'. JMHO

I would keep the machine that appears to be in the best mechanical condition. The safety switch would not be a decisive factor for me.

Whatever decision is made, I would suggest that you end up with the 520 fence and rails on the one you keep.

Check the tables for flatness and keep the best ones. They are not all equally flat - believe me. I would venture a guess that the older tables are the flattest.

dusty wrote:I would keep the machine that appears to be in the best mechanical condition. The safety switch would not be a decisive factor for me.

Whatever decision is made, I would suggest that you end up with the 520 fence and rails on the one you keep.

Check the tables for flatness and keep the best ones. They are not all equally flat - believe me. I would venture a guess that the older tables are the flattest.

Beyond my initial reaction that you should throw a dresser out of the bedroom to make room for both... I think what Dusty said is a good approach.
The switch would not matter to me.
While I would not pay for the 520 conversion to my 510 (I rarely use my SS's as a tablesaw) if I already owned the conversion I would not let go of it especially if it was my primary tablesaw.
I would look at both of them not as units as much as individual parts. I would not hesitate to mix and match parts so that I had the best of each.
-
Would you have room for both if the 510 was a mini?

Francis makes a good point. If I had both I would not have a decision. I would make room. There has to be something that you can discard.

Send them both to me and I will decide for you!

I agree with Francis and Dusty. Keep both Shopsmiths. Two years ago I purchased a second Shopsmith for my "Workshop in the Woods". Now I don't know how I got along without it. If you sell one you will eventually regret it. At a minimum you could disassemble one and store it in anticipation of a new and larger shop. (the dream of all of us).

My 194 sq ft space here in Gainesville unfortunately precludes a second Shopsmith. However, I did get a v-speed power station.