Shopsmith

[putttn]

Trying to justify buying a used Shopsmith that's literally in new condition 1995 vintage vs just getting a Bosh 4000 and start building up my equipment with air gun, grinder, etc. with the money difference. The guy wants $1500 for the 95 and according to him it's only been used once or twice and is virtually in new condition. I don't own any air guns, grinder, cordless drills etc so I'm needing to get these too but don't wantto pass up maybe a good deal on this versatile piece of equipment.

 

[bmwpower]

Shopsmith?

 

[wilbilt]

I just got rid of an old 10ER Shopsmith (1950s). Being a jack-of-all-trades machine, they aren't really very good at any one thing.

The time spent changing setups is wasteful, and they take up a ton of floor space. I used mine mostly as a table saw, and it pretty much sucked for that. A $79 Ryobi from HD would do a better job, and I could hang it on the wall or slide it under a bench when I don't need it.

I would seriously consider how much you would really use it...and what for...before dumping $1500 on it. A couple of dedicated machines would be cheaper and more space-efficient.

 

[the intimidator]

Those start at around 3 grand new so I would try and talk him down to 1200$ or so. Unless it is in as good a condition as he and you say it is? BMW the shopsmith is a woodworking tool designd to save space in you're shop http://www.shopsmith.com/ It is bassicly a lathe, table saw, horizantle drill, drill press, and a sander all in one package. It is actually quite a good system changing proccess is not very difficult unless you are doing high volume work you won't mind changing stuff up. I would jump at one for 1500$ up here I see them around 2 grand for used almost beatup tools to 3g for one in good shape used. I want to make this known to you that this will not replace seperate tool's in you're shop I would still reccomend you pick up a stand alone sander Saves setting up if you do alot of quick sanding, and a table saw if you plan on big cut's as the table is rather small. if you have anymore questions don't hesitate to ask I have a fair bit of experiance with this tool and I would reccomend you purchase one if you A.don't have the space to keep a lathe, table saw, large sander, drill press, or you don't have the cash for all the seperate tool's and you don't mind changing the machine up. You can still turn out alot of product with this machine if you set up to make cut's ,drill hole's, sand, ect It is really a nice piece of equiptment

 

[eschoendorff]

My dad has an older vintage shopsmith - I've never actually seen him use it. I always wondered how useful they actually are...

 

[putttn]

For $1500 could you replace all the functions with seperate equipment and end up with ta better system?

 

[wilbilt]

For $1500 could you replace all the functions with seperate equipment and end up with ta better system?

I think so. I would look at what functions you really need, and go from there.
In my case, I do not need a wood lathe, and don't have the space for something that is always the size of a large wood lathe no matter how it is configured.

You could have a decent table saw, drill press, and bandsaw in the same amount of floor space and not have to deal with reconfiguring the SS every time you want to change modes. You could also put those machines by themselves in smaller spaces, instead of having one machine requiring as much working room as a pool table.

Just my opinion.

 

[putttn]

The Intimitator. The saw function actually can accomodate a 4'8' sheet of plywood because the table has an additional table that spreads out to hold the other end of the board. You can get two more additional "tables" that run on the rails that would act as a complete 4' width or I guess maybe even bigger if I understand how the system can be expanded. Many people have thought that the saw table is "it" and it is small but in reality it's quite large.

 

[the intimidator]

hmm Well I have been working on a older machine so It may have been a option or it was introduced later but the unit I have been working on only has the small table and it does'nt get used much. right now it's main use is a lathe as over the years my buddie has upgraded his tool's got bigger and better ect. I am hopeing in a few years time I can pick the shopsmith up from him unless he sell's off the big stuff He is retiring end of april so he is going to be takeing his time so who knows what will happen but when he does go to sell I'll be there with cash in hand

 

[wilbilt]

The saw function actually can accomodate a 4'8' sheet of plywood because the table has an additional table that spreads out to hold the other end of the board. You can get two more additional "tables" that run on the rails that would act as a complete 4' width

Yes, and those additional tables and their supports are more things you need to disassemble to change the configuration of the machine. My old SS had a table that was 2'x2' or so, with an additional small outrigger table for support.

I successfully ripped many 4x8 sheets with it, but if I needed a drill press or bandsaw in a hurry, I was SOL.

It sounds like you are convinced that you want it. Go for it.