uwrasta wrote:here are the pics can any of you jedi's tell me anything from the pics???
I'm merely an apprentice here, but some of the obvious:
the Mark V is a 500 with a regular toggle switch as the on/off switch. this means that it was made before 1991. it does have the ridges on each side of the switch. IIRC, that makes it newer than my 1984 version. if the insides of the headstock as as well maintained as the way and bench tubes, then it should be very nice.
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/faq/markv.htm
the bandsaw has the older style cast iron table. SS switched to a larger aluminum table in the late '80s. there are some advantages to the cast iron table so this is not necessarily bad. just an age indicator.
the scroll saw is a scroll saw. it is the older gray version. there is an upgrade kit for the gray model that makes it easier to change the blades. again, older is not better or worse. the gray is the version that I have.
the sander is the 6" version. it is very useful. sometimes the glue on the sanding belts breaks down with age. if you plan a major project using the sander, you might want to pick up some fresh ones. SS has good sales on these. if you need to replace one in a hurry, I have sometimes found the right size at Sears.
the jointer is old enough to still have the older style cutter guard. there is an upgrade to a combination guard/featherboard that is worth doing. it requires (IIRC) drilling and tapping one hole as part of the upgrade.
DC: I'm not good enough to tell from the front whether that is the current or the older version of the dust collector. if the on/off switch is on the vertical post, then it is the current version. if it is in the middle of the back on the motor cover, then it is the older version. the newer version is quieter because of switching to more plastic and less sheet metal. both versions are very good, just the newer is quieter.
there is part of a mortise and tenon set hanging on the wall. the full set includes what looks like some drill bits inside of a corner chisel. the drum sander attached to the belt sander is very handy. it is removable when not in use. if it has not gotten lost, there should be a small (probably silver) cone that slips over the accessory shaft when it is not in use (to keep you or your clothes from getting snagged on it).
I paid more than that for my first Mark V 500 and got less. if the 500 and the DC run well (and the DC sucks properly), then I for one would be happy with this deal.
if the son is knowledgeable about the SS, I would ask him to walk you through the different setups. I would also take off the saw blade, put on the lathe drive spur, and run the Mark V through its speed ranges while watching the tip of spur for wobble. the point should not wiggle up and down when spinning. if the point wiggles, then you might need to replace the spindle bearings. this is not normally very expensive and there are some real experts on here who can walk you through that process.
if something is wrong, then see how much less he will take for it all. at that price and with this many accessories, you are still getting a good deal even if you have to make some minor repairs (assuming that you know or are willing to learn how to make them).
Ivan