Used Shopsmiths

[backhertz]

It's amazing some of the used Shopsmiths I see for sale. I saw one advertised on Craigslist in West Chester Pa for $2100 which includes a 510, scroll saw, and some other things. I bought the dust collector & ended up getting a biscuit joiner, and a sharpening guide. The Shopsmith is what caught my eye. It may
have been only used once. I saw a shipping document dated 1990, so that makes it about 20 years old. My first Shopsmith was handed down to me. My father bought it, but never used it. I don't understand why people spend a lot
of money & then never use it. Better for me I guess.

[mickyd]

It's amazing some of the used Shopsmiths I see for sale........

I agree. Some folk pay big bucks and never see the payback. I decided to start with the inexpensive oldies and if I catch the woodworking bug, udgrade then.

[albie]

I purchased a few SPTs from the family of the man that bought the Shopsmith tools just after he retired. Many were still new or as-new. He was only able to use them for a few months before he became very ill. I was told that he later saw all the Shopsmith equipment and didn't even recognize that they were his. Sad.

The family sold his tools after he passed.

Al B

[robinson46176]

I purchased a few SPTs from the family of the man that bought the Shopsmith tools just after he retired. Many were still new or as-new. He was only able to use them for a few months before he became very ill. I was told that he later saw all the Shopsmith equipment and didn't even recognize that they were his. Sad.

The family sold his tools after he passed.

Al B


I have some personal insight into this phenomenon. I wished for things all of my life but could never afford them. With some I could have made the purchase but they just wouldn't fit into the priority scheme. With the farming there was always aonther piece of equipment to buy or needing expensive repairs. Buildings needing work. Fence to build. Kiids were growing up ($$$$) :) Some of the things we needed to operate the store were very costly... A rental house always needs something...
There is an old expression that farmers live poor and die rich... Unlike many who ride the farming/business horse into the grave we chose to start retiring early and enjoying life more while we still can. That is why I have 9 Shopsmiths in my shop. That is why I own more expensive equipment for my western boot rebuilding shop than I ever had when I did such work for a living. That is why I have a new Wood-mizer sawmill sitting in the farm shop since last fall still in the boxes. :D That is why we now have horses with more of them coming. That is why that even though I no longer actually farm that I have over a dozen old tractors sitting in the barns.
This list could just keep going. :) Some of us old geezers just have a lot we want to do and we are getting the things to do it with. I may be active another 20 years or I may croak tomorrow but if I decide I want to do something this afternoon I don't want to have to waste time going to buy something. I want to already have it... :D

[tom_k/mo]

I purchased a few SPTs from the family of the man that bought the Shopsmith tools just after he retired. Many were still new or as-new. He was only able to use them for a few months before he became very ill. I was told that he later saw all the Shopsmith equipment and didn't even recognize that they were his. Sad.

The family sold his tools after he passed.

Al B

That's almost the exact same story on how I got mine. The woman I got mine from said her dad got his, got it assembled and adjusted, and then was diagnosed with Cancer. I don't think that he ever cut a board with it. It also came with a DC3300, a belt sander and bandsaw SPTs.

[dan1999]

I got my first one in 1987 at a show, my DC3300 a year later, the bandsaw a year later. My second machine bare bones at an auction 8 years later. My third machine was 3 months ago I was looking through Craigs list and noticed an add for a Shopsmith, the guy got it from a friend didn't know anything about it. Anyway the add showed a 500 model, beltsander, jigsaw, jointer, some accessories that I could see and a ringmaster that was a pure bonus. It was stored in a storage locker outside in Toronto for about 5 years and was never touched. When I got to the machine it was about 300 yards from a power source, they plugged in a mess of exention cords and we plugged it in. The machine was on letter U so I knew that if anything I would only get a second or 2 of juice before it crapped out. Which it did but at least it kicked. What I was after was the accesories anyway I looked at the 500 model as a bonus if it worked. I got it home, striped it, plugged it in and it worked like a charm. I think I spent about $5.00 it get all of the machines up and running properly, I lucked out. I also took the chance that this whole purchase could go south, I live about 6 hours from Toronto, and until I got there I wasn't a 100% certain the guy would be there. Yes there are deals out there sometimes you just got to take a chance. I also contacted a local auctioneer and asked him to tell me when he hears of a Shopsmith coming up for sale. Great living in Canada, where the Shopsmiths grow, and not too many people out grabbing them. except me

[johnmccrossen]

I wonder if there is a cure for this SS addiction?

Anyway, I picked up another Mk V this past weekend. Price was FREE (that spells free). It's a greenie (1954 I think). Not much with it but I was looking for spare parts anyway. It had been used as a lathe. The good thing is that it has a 1982 poly-v 1-1/8 hp headstock on it that seems to run and change speeds just fine. Also included was the original headstock that I was told was a basket case.

After tear down of the old headstock, I found many problems from mis-use, no maintenance, and serious hammer repair attempts. I found the quill galled in the housing due to several arc burn marks from what I assume was someone messing with the wires with the power on. After some clean-up and minor repairs, I found the only current showstoppers with the original headstock is a bent spindle and stripped speed control dial. The 3/4 hp motor looks nearly new and runs good. Now I just need to figure out what to do with (3) Mk V's and how far to go toward rebuilding this one. Oh well, winter is coming.

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[billmayo]

You never have too many Shopsmiths. I find for me that keeping 5 Shopsmiths operating eliminated any need for change-overs or swapping SPTs and takes less room than the same stand-alone equipment I did have. I like a MINI as a Power Station and several SHORTYs for other functions that do not require a full-length Shopsmith works very well for me.