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timbitca

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 7, 2012
Messages
966
Location
Moncton, NB, Canada
There was one for sale locally on kijiji for 250$ or so, seemed to be in very good shape. Really interesting, but I didn't have the coin for it.
 

ATC

Well-known member
Joined
May 12, 2012
Messages
8,309
Location
VA
My dad has had one for at least a decade now. He's got about every attachment for it, and loves it! He has recently taken up the pen making hobby. Lots of drill press and lathe use
 
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stratman977

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 26, 2012
Messages
633
Location
Belle Vernon, PA
I wouldn't spend top dollar for one. You want a mark 5, don't bother with the 10er or other models. The model 500 and 510 are the same as the original mark 5 with a better table saw fence. The older ones can be had cheap. The went from a 3/4hp motor to a 1-1/8 at some point over the years which make all the difference in them. I use the drill press for everything but it has a good bit of runout and it turns too fast on the slowest setting for steel. I have a bolt on speed reducer box I use for steel but its really not an ideal setup.

They are very capable and a pretty well built. I would rather have the shopsmith than the individual table top machines from sears but its not something a pro would use. Everything on them is fully serviceable and all of the parts from them are still available. Mine is a 1954 model and it still works just fine. The attachments can be pricey but I see them come up from time to time on craigslist for cheap.

The one you have posted is probably an 80's model with the 1-1/8hp motor. A fair price would $400-$500 if it has the table saw parts.
 
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turbowoodworker

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 18, 2012
Messages
3,541
Location
Apex NC
I learned to woodwork by watching Dad on the 10E as a kid. My needs have gone well past the old girl but I still use it for disc sanding, long lathe and drill press (rare as I have a dedicated DP). (I have a full woodshop. Delta, Powermatic, etc.)
The 10E is obsolete but not trash heap yet. Get a good Mark 5 or later. I'm gonna get a "you ****" here but I picked up the headstock unit for a Mark 5 2 weeks ago on CL...FOR FREE. The guy had purchased a newer replacement that is digital and has lots of presets and was just giving it away so I'll be checking it out and using on the 10E bed maybe, (If the rails haven't changed in 60 years.)
By the way I gave the guy $40 as a donation to his church. He was a minister and would not accept cash until I called it a donation. Seemed like the right thing to do.
Back to topic, the Shopsmith is good. It is a "jack of all trades" tool. It is good at lots of things but not great at any. But to get all the stuff in your garage that comes as attachments to the Shopsmith would cost lots of cash, take up lots of space. The benchtop tools mentioned above are equally limited by power so I have personally steered away from most benchtop tools.
The one thing I absolutely hate about the SS is the tilting table instead of tilting arbor. That's a big limitation and a little scary when cutting long stock. It will make you want a miter saw right away.
Good luck, let us know what you do. Rick
 

stratman977

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 26, 2012
Messages
633
Location
Belle Vernon, PA
That's a steal.

You could sell the powerhead (motor and hosuing) for close to $200 on ebay and the bandsaw and sander for another $100 each.
 
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