Shopsmith Table Saw Quality?

[wallygoots]

Greetings from a new member of the forum. Seth here from Hagerstown, MD where I teach Geometry, Pre-Al, and Computers.

After marrying and moving here from Seaside Oregon, I'm trying to set up shop so I can continue with my guitar building habit. We have a single uninsulated carport (in our long term rental) that I'm thinking of insulating and turning into a shop (because I'm dying without shop space).

There is limited space here, so I've been exploring the idea of picking up a used ShopSmith to get me started here.

Question: How good is the table saw and fence?

From pictures and youtube vids the Shopsmith lathe, drill press, and sander look very solid. The table saw, on the other hand, looks like an after thought. For guitar building, I'm wanting a very consistent fence system that yields straight cuts. I've always wanted a Powermatic Model 64 or Delta 746 because I like the fences on those. But they are large and hard to find used at a good price, besides, I'd love to learn to use a lathe and the disk sander would be very handy for guitar building.

Does the Shopsmith table saw replace a standard 10" table saw for you or does it leave you wanting more? Is the fence on the Shopsmith solid and accurate? Are the different versions of the fence and how are they to adjust? I'm thinking the Shopsmith would be a decent start, and I'm wondering how long it would satisfy me before I'd want to add a standard table saw?

Used Shopsmiths seem to represent a very good value. I'm looking at some for about $700 which I could not buy a saw, lathe, drill press, sander for separately. It seems the Shopsmith would be my long term drill press, 12" sander, and lathe. I can see adding a table saw, 17" resaw bandsaw, planer and jointer to my shop later.

What do you think?
Many thanks,
Seth

[dwevans]

Welcome to the forum Seth.

I have actually just started building guitars. I have done woodworking for years and wanted more of a challenge :) .

I have had my ShopSmith for 20 years or so, and have found the precision of the table saw to be excellent. I would recommend the Mark V 520 over the 510 and the 500 as the fence is much sturdier and easier to work with.

[JPG40504]

Do you have any other viable choice??? Limited space = Shopsmith fills the bill!

RE: saw function. No it was NOT an after thought! It does quite well an guitar sized pieces. It DOES have 'issues' with regard to bevel cuts on LARGE workpieces. The table tilts.:eek: A hindrance according to most 'detractors' but an advantage at times(there ARE things you are able to do with a tilt table that you cannot with more typical machines).

It DOES allow the 'expansion' to other 'tools' you mention. There ARE pro's and con's here also, but limited space(for a 'long term') would indicate a need for small footprint.

When looking for used ones, consider the following:
1) there are different 'models' which vary only slightly.

1a)The 'original 10 E/R(probably best to be your LAST/LEAST DESIRABLE choice). No longer supported(think repair parts and NEW goodies) by Shopsmith Inc.
1b)The early Mark 5 (5 not V) which were produced by manufacturers who preceded 'Shopsmith, Inc.'. Most of the current accessories etc. fit these machines also.
1c)Shopsmith Inc. Model V which is essentially identical to the earlier Mark 5.
1d)Shopsmith Mark V model 505,510,520 which all have a larger table than the earlier models. The table and fence system varies and the preference would be 'the higher the last two digits, the better'.

2a)The 'green' mark 5s and early 'gold/brown' mark 5's had a different drive belt system than all the later versions. Any of the older ones CAN be converted, but it IS expensive and not worthwhile unless already needing to replace part of it.

If additional SPTs(Single Purpose Tools)[jointer/belt sander/strip sander/...] come with it that is a definate 'plus'.

Condition IS important unless you also want to become a Shopsmith Repairman also!:)

Happy Hunting!

[beeg]

Welcome Seth to our merry bunch of woodworkers. You might want to look at this thread.

http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/showthread.htm?t=3813

[charlese]

Wow! You got a whale of info. just this morning! Welcome to the Forum, Seth!

You have asked a question about the saw table that has been discussed many times on the forum.

Depending on how much you enjoy reading and studying to get your answer, I suggest, in addition to reading the above referenced links, you also should use the forum's Search function. (It's on the red line at the top of the page)

I searched the word 'guitar' and that yielded 22 threads.
A search for the word luthier will yield 8 threads.

I have a Mark V 510 and have witnessed no issues with the tablesaw. With my Shopsmith, I have made pieces, from furniture to turned trinkets.

P.S. I think you will fine the saw fences on the 510 and 520 models, when properly aligned will actually be more stable than many more expensive fences that do not clamp on both ends.

[mbcabinetmaker]

Seth

Welcome to the forum. I have a 520 with the magnetic scale upgrade that is now standard on that model. I feel it is as accurate as my Delta Unsaw. It does require setting up tables and out feed support if you get into working with large panels. I also have a pair of older Mark 5's and they are also accurate on smaller work but requires measuring blade to fence. As with any equipment however the accuracy is only as good as the setup and execution.

Glad you joined

Mark

[robinson46176]

Anybody that reads many of my messages realizes quickly that I am an advanced case tool nut. :)
I wanted a Shopsmith since the 1960's and finally after standing around the show demos by Shopsmith for 28 years wiping slobbering drool off of my chin I bought a 510 new in 1988 along with some extra accessories. I'm prone to adopting tools at auctions and yard sales and I have a bunch of table saws. Some years ago I picked up the SS I call The old Gray mare at a farm machinery consignment auction for $200. It came with some some SPTs that I sold on ebay for more than I paid for the whole thing so my second SS was basically free (actually even profitable) As I retired first from our store then from grain farming I also started getting in a financial position to build my woodshop up for my retirement years. I have it in a roughly 1400 sq. ft. former store building here on the farm. I started buying up SS's mostly on ebay and I sort of lost track of exactly how many. I do know that I bought 14 in one year. My best guess is at least two dozen. (that is another long story). I now have 8 sitting in the shop and The Old Gray Mare still in the old shop. ready to move if it will go 20 minutes without raining or me being on one of the mowers... I also have one more Mark VII that I believe I will make up into a functional unit.
My main tablesaw is a Ridgid TS3650 which I truly love. I did not buy it however because I think it is any more accurate than any of the Shopsmiths. I bought it because I wanted a stand alone table saw to be used for nothing else than a table saw. That is just the way I work. I do occasionally use a SS as a table saw but not a lot. That does not mean that I do not like it for that. It is just that keeping the stand alone saw just makes one less setup to make much of the time. I do not object to making the setup changes to the SSs but then again I am not driven to do it either. :) I like to be able to set up several in given modes and leave them setup like that as long as I am making that item. I tend to think in terms of small production runs rather than one item at a time. I think of the SS's as special tools that are extremely flexible as far as being able to set them up.
Some guys buy or make all manner of devices as support devices for their SS. I on the other hand keep saying that best support device for an SS is another SS. :) In other words you really need at least two... You still have a very small footprint and two of them makes for unreal flexibility.
If for some reason I could only have one power tool in the shop it would be a Shopsmith...

[JPG40504]

Well said Francis!