What's Better than a Shopsmith Mark V?

[Snowbound]

A FREE Shopsmith Mark V!

Wife dragged me out to walk the dog and we pass a Shopsmith in a guys driveway with a FREE sign on it. I tried to bail out on the walk and go get my trailer, but she would have no part of it.

Luckily it was still there when I got back. He has all the attachments, but wasn't home at hte time. I left a note for him to call me.

Not sure if I'll keep it or not. Depends on what accessories he has for it.

Anybody have any feedback on these?

 

[dabirdguy]

You paid too much.

 

[MAK]

They might make a good option for someone who just really doesn't have space for stand-alone dedicated tools or for someone who wants to dedicate it to a specific task. I would not want to be bothered with constantly changing from one function to another. That said, I have two... A Mark V and an older 10ER. One is dedicated as a lathe and the other as a sanding station (Disc/Belt). They do work nicely for occasional horizontal boring. Use as a table saw just looks scary.
I would never pay anything close to what they go for retail but free is a screaming deal.

 

[adamsredlines]

Shopsmiths are awesme tools, I need to bust mine out and turn some stuff on it.

 

[Snowbound]

I picked up the rest of it tonight. Came with the band saw, belt sander, sanding disc, table saw parts and all the guards and a set of lathe chisels.

I'll clean it up and get it working nicely, then decide what I'll do with it. I'll never use it as a table saw, as I already have a decent 10" Craftsman. I'd love to trade it for a MIG welder if possible.

It seems really light duty compared to what I'm used to.

 

[930dreamer]

If you sell it, you wont lose any money.

 

[Packard V8]

The retail on these was past $2500, last I saw. When the sucker who bought it new goes to sell it, he gets even-worse-than Snap-on-shock.

Having said that, I've never, ever seen one for free. They can always bring $250. With all the attachments you have, maybe $350-400.

They're really handy for occasional home woodworking chores. Keep it and use it enough to learn what it will and won't do.

jack vines

 

[Davefr]

Anybody have any feedback on these?

They don't do anything really well and dedicated tools are far superior.

However they do most of the basics and are stingy in taking up precious floor space. That's their redeeming quality IMHO.

Their new price was rediculous and often as high as multiple dedicated tools. (especially with some of the add ons).

But at FREE you deserve a "you ****".

 

[balane]

With a little bit of effort on your part it sounds like free money to me.

 

[Cameronl]

Really? Am I the first? OK, then...


YOU ****!



edit: oops. never mind. I missed Davefr's

 

[PinchPoint]

I have bought over 70 of these. Everyone with 10 years on it will need tore down fixed, cleaned and new bearings installed where needed. I have rebuilt many but scraped more than i repaired. Many people work on them a make a mess of the tool. If anyone ever needs help with yours just pm me...

 

[Strouty]

They don't do anything really well and dedicated tools are far superior.

However they do most of the basics and are stingy in taking up precious floor space. That's their redeeming quality IMHO.

Their new price was rediculous and often as high as multiple dedicated tools. (especially with some of the add ons).

But at FREE you deserve a "you ****".

I looked into them, but everyone that I talked to said the same thing, unless space is a big issue they are not that great at any one thing. I would get it working and sell it, with those attachments in working condition it may fetch $500 or more. Check local craigslist to see what people are asking for them. Good luck on your endeavor.

 

[gatewaysysop]

I see these local all the time, mostly in the $500 range around here if they are in top shape. Never seen one cheaper than about $200, either way, free money!

 

[lastgoodusername]

i owned one for years. table saw is really a pain. good lathe. consider taking the extra tools and making them stand alone. these tools will really make you plan out your work as switching around is a bother. the drill press function with the tilting table is very nice as the horizontal boring ability, even though that only comes around once a century, but i have had a job or 2 that went way smoother because of it. they are rather good within their limits. johnny

 

[geologist]

Free almost always conveys a.....

 

[Gary S]

I have a Shopsmith since 1987. I've built an endless list of furniture with mine including my garage cabinets. and I love it. Mine gets used all winter (woodworking season). Then it gets parked all summer. (outdoor season).

If you weren't so far away, I'd take it off your hands and pay you what you have invested.

Here are some of the projects I built with my Shopsmith in the past 2 winters. I don't have pictures on my computer of the projects from the 20 or so years before that.