Shopsmith Question!
- Thread starter USAFVET98
- Start date
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
jimm1
Member
I have had mine for over 20 years. I absolutely love it. I would grab it, based on the pix, but there seems to be some things missing: sliding table extensions w/rods, lathe centers, wheels. Still $400.00 seems like a good deal.
bradbn4
Member
Is there any other equipment included? Full documentation and books? How old is it? If it is a single bearing quill with no other hardware I would say pass. (Yes, the hardware can be upgraded - but you are talking money here).
It looks to be a shopsmith 500 - not the best table saw around -- if it was a 520 with a band saw that should be getting close to the right amount. The original cost of the hardware is quite high. You can find a lot of add on hardware via ebay or craigslist. Heck, shopsmith sells a lot of hardware that you can bolt on to this equipment.
There are a few no-no's on the shopsmith - never adj the dial / speed with the unit turned off. Wax everything with past wax to keep things running smooth. Don't over tighten the stops on the way tubes. Get the dvd on how to tune up the shopsmith and you can get the most out of this machine.
I have the 520 with the band saw and a few other options with it - very good for pen making - well - over kill. The drill press mode & band saw options are what I use it most of the time. I do use the table saw but it does take a bit of effort to adjust for each cut. I have made a lot of pens on the shopsmith - for the lathe mode it is a bit low.
The key to shopsmith it is a big space saver, parts can be bought on ebay to upgrade your hardware, the company is still in business producing hardware. Best drill press you are going to find, the band saw works well. The lathe is a bit on the "light" side - but with the right add on's can turn out a lot of good work.
Would I buy a brand new shopsmith again - maybe - but only if it was the demo unit on their traveling shows. I would not have any issues buying a good used 520 with a few add ons. I would even consider buying a second one for my basement if the price was right.
It looks to be a shopsmith 500 - not the best table saw around -- if it was a 520 with a band saw that should be getting close to the right amount. The original cost of the hardware is quite high. You can find a lot of add on hardware via ebay or craigslist. Heck, shopsmith sells a lot of hardware that you can bolt on to this equipment.
There are a few no-no's on the shopsmith - never adj the dial / speed with the unit turned off. Wax everything with past wax to keep things running smooth. Don't over tighten the stops on the way tubes. Get the dvd on how to tune up the shopsmith and you can get the most out of this machine.
I have the 520 with the band saw and a few other options with it - very good for pen making - well - over kill. The drill press mode & band saw options are what I use it most of the time. I do use the table saw but it does take a bit of effort to adjust for each cut. I have made a lot of pens on the shopsmith - for the lathe mode it is a bit low.
The key to shopsmith it is a big space saver, parts can be bought on ebay to upgrade your hardware, the company is still in business producing hardware. Best drill press you are going to find, the band saw works well. The lathe is a bit on the "light" side - but with the right add on's can turn out a lot of good work.
Would I buy a brand new shopsmith again - maybe - but only if it was the demo unit on their traveling shows. I would not have any issues buying a good used 520 with a few add ons. I would even consider buying a second one for my basement if the price was right.
KenBrasier
Member
Brian,I love my Shopsmith and feel that the price is fair. I originally had the old 10ER model that I bought at an auction, and gave it to my son who still uses it. I purchased 2 Junk modle V's (500) when I retired and got one great machine out of the two with a bunch of spare parts. [So if you do buy this and need something, I can probably offer you a deal] The 500 or V came out in 1953 and had a glimer belt for the Varible speed, they changed that to a Poly V Drive in 1963. In 1984 they went to the 2 bearing Quill that Bradbn4 mentioned above (starting with s/n 190000). Mine has the single bearing Quill, but it is a easy bearing to change if need be, they are a standard size bearing and eaconomical on ebay. In 1962 they went from a 5/8 HP to a 1 1/8HP moter, which is an improvement. In 1963 they changed the color from gold/brown to Gray, so it appears the one you are looking at is post 1963...Good. Shopsmith has a great website, but their replacement parts are costly; http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/ I mostly go to Craigslist or eBay when I need stuff. Also you can look at ebay and see that $400 is a good price.Here is what I like about the Shopsmith. It makes a great drill press, with a 4 1/2" Quill stroke. Horizontal boring is a snap and great for pen blanks. The Varible speed is well set up, but as pointed out it is best adjusted with the lathe on or while rotating the shaft by hand. I use a buffing wheel with a mandrel on the outboard side of the headstock/power unit, both for putting a nice edge on my chisels and hand turning the shaft.As a lathe [which is mostly what I use mine for] it works great. The double tubes as ways are very stable and works great. Maximum length you can turn is about 34". I haven't foung a good way to use a collet chuck.... yet.As a table saw it isn't the greatest, as the table is rather small. I have both the Bandsaw and Jointer, but use neither because I already had those in my shop.One great feature of some Shopsmith's is their retractable casters..... Mine or yours doesn't have them. You can get them on ebay, but they go high. The picture shows the Basic Shopsmith with not too many extras. I thought the 12" sanding disk was a standard but didn't see it in the pictures. The tubes look to be in great shape.OK, enough said, I love mine and think you'd like this as well.
USAFVET98
Member
bradbn4
Member
depending on the extras and age - what's you waiting for - it can be a very good deal.
The manuals will help you set it up and learn a bit about the shopsmith - the dvd's will let you tune it up and get the most out of the hardware.
If it runs smooth - looks like you got a good buy on your hands.
There are a few good user groups out there to ask questions, find parts - and chat up a storm.
My shopsmith setup - (lot of had on hardware) really supports pen making.
The manuals will help you set it up and learn a bit about the shopsmith - the dvd's will let you tune it up and get the most out of the hardware.
If it runs smooth - looks like you got a good buy on your hands.
There are a few good user groups out there to ask questions, find parts - and chat up a storm.
My shopsmith setup - (lot of had on hardware) really supports pen making.