Shopsmith multi-purpose woodworking tool system...anyone used one?

[Always_Thinkin]

I was surfing CL this morning and ran across a Smithshop multi-purpose woodshop tool system. It is a SCROLL SAW, BAND SAW, LATHE, TABLE SAW, 4" JOINTER and BELT SANDER.

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/3737013225.html

It looks like a neat tool system that would be compact enough for small shops or some one that tinkers with woodworking. I am just curious to see if any of you have used/owned one of these? What is your opinion? They still make them and it looks like you build it in pieces. The manufacturer's website is posted below.

http://www.shopsmith.com/markvsite/

 

[green.bubbly]

I never owned or used one so I can not speak for the tool itself. There are ShopSmith fans out these but I generally hear that it is good at doing a few things but great at none. Switching tools takes time so it is probably cool for a tinkerer but not the right tool for a serious woodworker.

 

[Capt J.D.]

My Dad owned one in the 50's and paid $300 for it. It is still running today.
I bought one in the 70's and it is also still running. (paid $900)
As stated above, they are great for most projects and can be "put away" when not in use. If one plans their cuts and procedure prior to using it, there is less time wasted changing from one tool to the other.
During that time I had to replace the "On/Off" switch once, and Dad had his Gimler belt replaced once. I would recommend them for the Home Hobbiest for sure.

 

[wedge40]

I've got buddy who has one and seen him make everything from shelves to grandfather clocks with it. He has the smallest shop I've ever seen, but seems to make it work. He got it because he didn't have the room for individual tools.
The one listed should be looked over close, because it looks like it needs some TLC.

Wedge

 

[Davefr]

"Jack of all trades, master of none" but a viable option if space is very limited.

 

[twiggles]

I have one, and its a jack of all trades, master of none just like me . I enjoy it, and it does nearly everything I could need. I am particularly partial to the bandsaw and drill press. Would I prefer a 1500 square foot wood shop with individual tools? Absolutely, but for your your average Joe, the Shopsmith is a cheap capable tool when purchased used. I don't think I would spend new money on one though...I've got about $500 into my upgraded mark V...not bad at all!

 

[twiggles]

Ha, Davefr beat me to the punch line.

 

[CheckeredFlag]

My Dad also bought one, probably in the 50s

He made a TON of things with it

He's in his 80s, and still turns bowls and does other wood-working things with his.

I'd love to have one

 

[Falcon67]

Very good condition - in spite of left outside? I used my Dad's when I was a kit - also a late 50s early 60's Mark V. He built a LOT of stuff with that machine. His was mounted on a bench back so that the tables were level with the main bench top.

$775 seems a bit much for one with rusted ways.

 

[Gary S]

I've had mine since the 80s. I made just about every piece of furniture in my house and all the custom woodwork with it.
In storage, it takes up a 5x2 foot space. In use, it is very workable in a 12x20 shop. If you have a 50x100 shop for woodworking, a Shopsmith isn't for you. If you have limited space, it will do far more in less space than anything else you can buy.

 

[kevin47]

Yeah, there ok...I use the table saw, drill press and lathe...Other than that the extra's are a waste of money in my opinion...I'm 57, a machinist and I've had it since I was 13...

 

[markduncan93]

I have two I've collected off of Craigslist. Picked one up for nothing and paid $200 for the other. They're okay tools but I would rather have the individual machines rather than one Shopsmith. Been thinking about selling them lately.

 

[kevin47]

indivdual machines are always the way to go...This was designed by some frickin engineer that had the room in her garage...

 

[ringneck]

My dad has had one for as long as I can remember. I spent many hours building furniture and cabinets with it as a kid (side cash). They are a fairly capable machine, and ideal for those challenged on space. Not an ideal machine, separate machines are better if you have the room.

Personally, I find the using it as a table saw to be a little scary... Like the bandsaw and lathe operation best.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Friend gave me one and I had it for a year or two. He eventually needed it back. I don't miss it! It is OK for most things, but individual tools seem to work better.

Chris

 

[jrfiero]

That one is priced WAAAY too high. I'll take forever to clean up, who knows what the accessory internals look like.

I have a 1956 which used to be my uncle's who built many a fine piece on it. I currently use it only as a drill press because I've collected individual tools to do the rest. It hadn't been used in many years when I got it, so when I turned it on it sounded a little funky. I called Shopsmith and they said let it run for a half hour, it'll smooth out. I wouldn't call the sound smooth, but it improved and does just what it's supposed to.

The basic machine is a table saw, lathe, and drill press, although they also call it a horizontal boring machine and a sander 'cause you can put a sanding disk on the table saw. The other things, bandsaw, jointer, scroll saw are add-ons. You can buy a powered base to use those things separately.

They used to demo them at malls, making picture frames and such, and the demonstrators could make them talk.

If you keep your eye out you'll find one much cheaper, although it may not have the accessory machines.

 

[AZ Pete]

I had one from about 1977 until 1988. Thought it was pretty nice, in the beginning. The primary limitation is the amount of flex that exists in the table mount. If you don't have very sharp drill bits. The pressure of the quill will cause the table to flex and your hole won't be straight. When I was able to, I sold it and bought a good table saw, and drill press. I do miss the lathe sometimes and the infinitely variable speed was a plus. But all in all they are too expensive for what you get, imho.

 

[Squashfest81]

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Always wanted one since I first saw them online. Picked up a Mark vii the other day.

 

[M17715]

They might be good. But I always wondered: If they are so good, then why do you see so many of them for sale all of the time?

 

[K13]

They might be good. But I always wondered: If they are so good, then why do you see so many of them for sale all of the time?

I would guess this is probably due to the nature of the buyer rather than the usefulness of the tool. Most people buying it are probably, as mentioned, tinkerers thinking if they get this they will build all sorts of things and then reality hits and it sits in the corner doing nothing until the wife says get rid of it.

 

[Gary S]

They might be good. But I always wondered: If they are so good, then why do you see so many of them for sale all of the time?

Kind of like Snapon tools. You see them for sale every day, and usually for more than they are worth. People buy them on a whim and then find out that they would rather have their cash.

 

[RickP]

I think Shopsmith sold thousands of these things 25+ years ago. For the original owners, eventually the old equipment has to go. There are also a lot more inexpensive single-purpose tools available now compared to the 70s (not all are the same quality either).

 

[mmack66]

I think Shopsmith sold thousands of these things 25+ years ago. For the original owners, eventually the old equipment has to go. There are also a lot more inexpensive single-purpose tools available now compared to the 70s (not all are the same quality either).

Yep. They used to have television ads on all the time.

 

[BRIANBB]

They were really meant for the small workshops of the time. Nowadays most new homes come with a two car garage or big basement where you can buy and use full size equipment with little problem. I like how little space they take and will most likely consider one if we downsize after retirement. Good score.

 

[rharman]

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Always wanted one since I first saw them online. Picked up a Mark vii the other day.

I was going to say that is not a Mark VII pictured. But, it is. I was thinking Mark 7 which is the newest version.

 

['52Chevy]

That is pretty neat! I honestly had never heard of such a thing! I wouldn't mind having one of these, as I primarily work on my cars and other mechanical things, but I would like to get into woodworking. Might be a good place to start.

 

[Squashfest81]

Mark VII from the early 60's. It had some wire issues, so I addressed that and lubed her up. Runs great now. It came out of Rex Trailers basement, if that rings any bells.

 

[Worsedog]

I have one that my dad gave me. It is just the basic version, saw, lathe, drill press, and sander. Like others have said, individual tools are the best choice, but in a limited space it is an ok tool. My biggest complaint is the table size, it is too small for even a half sheet of plywood. But it was free and I do get some use out of it.

A friend of mine's dad build two houses and his dentist office with one.

 

[BadBob]

I've had one since about 1981. You can find lots of info about them at the Shopsmith forum.

 

[rharman]

I've had mine for years and years. Neighbor around the corner had one when I was a kid. I always wanted one and my wife indulged me not long after we were married.

I wouldn't mind finding another, at the right price, to turn into a shorty (narrow-y?) for my bandsaw and/or belt sander.

 

[jonathan75]

I remember as a kid dreaming of having one. I would go to the mall every weekend and watch the Shopsmith guy doing demos in the middle of the mall. He was there every weekend like clockwork. Always a crowd of guys watching him rapidly switching between positions and operations.

 

[kentenn]

One of my many hobbies is buying vintage woodworking equipment and restoring it to use. I would strongly recommend buying individual machines and restoring them. I have picked up Delta machines from the 30s, 40s & 50s for about $100-150 ea. (the exception to this is the tablesaw which run $300+ for a unisaw). It's fun as hell to restore them to better than new condition. And you will have machines better than those selling for $1000 ea today. There is a site devoted to this where the guys will walk you thru ANY restoration you can imagine ( www.owwm.org ). Don't waste your time and money on a shop smith.

1945 Delta Unisaw:

1952 Delta Scroll Saw:

 

[Squashfest81]

I may have $30 ******* in the Shopsmith. This is garagejournal, so it's not my go to tablesaw or drillpress, but it's a 50 year old Yankee transformer robot kind of cool. Sure, no 1945 unisaw cool. Those are some pretty machines. Nicely done.

 

[kentenn]

My intent was to put everything on wheels so they can be pushed against the walls and still get the cars in the garage. I had a "all in one" machine for a short time. If all you want to do is cut an occasional board, it'll workbut separate machines are SO much more usable for woodworking.