Shopsmith

a2zhandi

Does anyone here have or had a Shopsmith?

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mdshunk

I used to watch the ShopSmith show on TV in the 80's, and thought they were the best thing since sliced bread. I see they pretty often in customer's basements, often collecting dust. I bet if you put an ad in your local paper, you'd get calls from people wanting to sell theirs.

woodmagman

Like MD says, the chances of buying a used one and getting a rowing machine are pretty good...

Tmrrptr

Yes, I had one many, many years ago.
They WILL do a lot of things half-s'd
and it's *fun* changing all the attachments.
Just no where near any pro tool, or even dedicated tool.
...and I've seen some magnificent widgets created on them.
birdhouses and whirlygigs... made from 1x12 pine shelving.
Going price could be 100-200 bucks or less at estate or yard sales.
or free if you haul it off.
They generally come with both a coat of surface rust and dust.
r

BuiltByMAC

I've got one that my Dad gave me. I use the bandsaw attachment, the disc sander and the horizontal drill press. I've also got a jointer for it but I haven't had the time (and the project) to play with it.

It's a nice machine but takes up a lot of space. I wouldn't have purchased it on my own - the initial cost is too high.

Mac

joasis

I knew a guy that had one, and hated it. He summed it up pretty well like this: If it says it will do everything, chances are it won't do anything. It would be cheaper to buy machines from Grizzly then jack with a one shot does it all.

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mdshunk

I was always confused by the fact that for such a large machine, each of the individual stations are pretty small. The drill press is small, the table saw is small, etc, compared to what you'd typically buy today if you bought individual machines. I think this thing was designed in the 60's (just a guess), where the individual stations were more respectable than they are today.

mdshunk

Here's an interesting article. Sounds like ShopSmith might be on its last leg as a company. I remember when they used to set up in malls and do demonstrations. Not so, anymore:

http://www.woodworkingonline.com/200...-final-breath/

a2zhandi

Yes I've seen this about a week ago.
I don't believe they are down and out yet. Just because one site misinterprets a well established companies marketing strategies don't mean they're folding.
I purchased a brand new package "Mark IV 510 Pro" in 1984. It was the best package deal at the time. Just over $5k delivered.

I love this machine, in fact, I intend to get a new on soon.

There is a draw back. As has been stated in previously. Having to set up over and over again. Part of this problem stems from machining just enough material for the project at hand. If you make a mistake or your tape lies to you once, back several steps you go. I quickly learned to make a couple extra. And make bulk blanks of things you use a lot.
This is a precision machine if used properly.
With that said, and 23 years of use I may purchase a secondary power stand to minimize repeated setups.

__________________
You can always be too bad. But you can NEVER be too good.
"If you didn't learn something one day, you didn't do anything that day
A2Z

neolitic

Cool, you are the first guy I've ever heard saying good things about them after the first year!

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skyhook

I borrowed a Mark V and built a set of Oak kitchen cabinets around 1977. It was a Great tool.

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a2zhandi

good to hear you liked it. They've made some great improvements to table design since then.

__________________
You can always be too bad. But you can NEVER be too good.
"If you didn't learn something one day, you didn't do anything that day
A2Z

essrmo

lots of used ones out there. find a good one with all the attachments. drill press, lathe, saw, shaper. good sturdy machines.

Rmodeler

I bought a used one in the early 80's(paid $1100). It had all the attachments, plus an extra stand/motor to mount the belt sander and jointer. Used it alot at first, then it just set till this fall, when I needed a band saw to make some custom repair parts for an old porch railing(built in the late 1800's). Tried to sell it earlier this past summer, but no calls. Guess I'll just keep it for the belt sander, jointer, bandsaw, jig saw. Don't care for the table saw setup, table is to small and awkward to cut things on a bevel.