Shopsmith Forums

Bought it! A very happy camper.


I haven't done a thing to it yet except reassembled after transport. Came with a unused dado set and insert and unused 5 pc lathe set. And 6 unused sanding disc. The guy said that he'd bought it new and used it perhaps 20 hours in a drill press mode. The saw blade still had the factory lubricant on it. The previous owner did a magnificent job of keeping it clean and rust free. He was asking $350 and I was going to make him a lower offer. But after seeing it, his asking price was more than reasonable.



This one is probably destined to become a shorty.


I've found a 1982 500 that, by the pictures I've seen, appears to be in very good condition. It has the main table and miter, an extension table, the sanding disc, and the lathe tail stock. Plus a few miscellaneous parts and manuals.

If I understand correctly the 1982 model had a 1.125 hp motor, a poly-belt, but a single bearing quill. Is this correct? Are there other issues I ought to be aware of?

I sure wish this were a 510 model to have compatibility with my existing SS. On the other hand the guy is asking $350 and I think I can probably get it for $300 and it does appear to be in very good condition.

Thanks much!

Id be all over that and ni have only had a SS for 2 weeks.

It's an easy upgrade to go to the double bearing quill, I did it on my early 84
model and it was painless and really nice improvement. A lot less run-out with the drill chuck.
Now I want to upgrade to the bigger 510 or 520 table system.
You can get the quill either from shopsmith or Ebay, Mine was from a really nice guy in southern Cal, he rebuilt it and included an extra set of bearings for about half the price of Shopsmith.

It's a Shopsmith: there are no issues.
I bought my 500 new in '78. When I had extra money, I upgraded the quill and then upgraded to a 510, then bought more accessories.
But, there are no issues with a 500 - the upgrades are nice when you can afford them, but not necessary.

kaba wrote:I've found a 1982 500 that, by the pictures I've seen, appears to be in very good condition. It has the main table and miter, an extension table, the sanding disc, and the lathe tail stock. Plus a few miscellaneous parts and manuals.

If I understand correctly the 1982 model had a 1.125 hp motor, a poly-belt, but a single bearing quill. Is this correct? Are there other issues I ought to be aware of?

I sure wish this were a 510 model to have compatibility with my existing SS. On the other hand the guy is asking $350 and I think I can probably get it for $300 and it does appear to be in very good condition.

Thanks much!

My though would be that if you already have a 510 and want it to be compatible and don't absolutely need another machine right now, why not wait around for one to come along at price that is equal to or less than the price of buying the 500 plus paying for the upgrades?

It nothing else at that price it would make a really nice Mini to use with your other SS. I have the 520 and 510 and made the 510 into a mini and it is my power station for all my SPT, I like how it works and was much cheaper find than trying to find a powerstation alone. Also as a mini the single bearing quill is not such an issure until you can upgrade the quill if you want.
Just my 2 cents. Good luck and have fun, More will always come along and you will probably have three. LOL

I have two Shopsmiths in my Upper Peninsula "Workshop in the Woods". This is a great arrangement. I use one set-up mostly for sawing, and the other is my versatile machine.

I wish I had room for two Shopsmiths down in Gainesville.