Consider a Shopsmith
If you are thinking about setting up a weekend warrior workshop in you house and are trying to decide which stationary power tools to buy, take a couple of hours doing your research, and consider getting a Shopsmith. The venerable 5-in-1 power tool has been around in one form or another since 1953. A basic shopsmith combines a tablesaw, a drillpress, a disk sander, a lathe and a horizontal drill all in one machine that takes up as much floor space as a bicycle. Accessory tools include a planer, jointer, and bandsaw. The machines are extremely well designed, not some herky-jerky contraptions that don't work very well. The company will send you a link to a 30-minute instructional video, and they say that they have sold over 600,000 of the machines. Last time I stopped over at Lenny's house--the man with a million tools, including a very expensive cabinet saw--he was ripping some boards on his Shopsmith Mark V, and I asked him why. "You know," he said, "It does everything so well. If I were smart and not such a total tool junkie, I would have realized that this is the only machine I really need." Used machines and parts abound; a quick search of ebay showed that there were over 300 parts and pieces available.
(7) Comments
I have owned a Mark V for nearly twenty years and have constantly been very pleased with its performance. It functions as well today as when I got it brand new.
Another very important factor is that repairs and new equipment are still available from Shopsmith. Parts are available for nearly everything that Shopsmith ever produced.
I have a 1982 Mark V bought new by my brother. When he passed away 11 years ago I wound up with the tool which sat in my barn virtually untouched until about a month ago when I had time to begin playing with woodworking again. I can't believe how well the machine works and with a few accessories, the bandsaw, scroll saw, thickness planer and joiner I am having a great time and the quality of work produced, in my opinion is excellent.
I used to drool every time I went to the state fair and saw the ShopSmith in action. I finally bought one in 1995 and it has served me well. Like Lenny, I too have other equipment, but none does better then my ShopSmith Mark V.
Delighted to see positive comments about my 'beloved' ShopSmith. I now have 3 - two 1984 SS Mark Vs (one model 500 purchased new and the other a model 510 purchased at an estate sale) and one 1994 model 510 purchased recently. They all work very well and fit in a reasonably compact space. Great support, great support from user groups and works well.
I have owned and used my Shopsmith for nearly twenty years but now that I am retired it is getting a real workout. What amazes me is that it still works as well as when it was brand new. Regular cleaning and lubrication is all that is required. But, if I ever need parts, it is comforting to know that they are still available, even for an old machine.
I have owned and used a Shopsmith Mark 5 since I purchased it new in 1962. It has served me well and I recently purchased a used Mark V 510. A model 10 (1947)is potentially a next purchase. Where else is a 45 yr old shop machine still supported. I have needed to purchase one part during the past 45 yrs, and had I maintained it properly, I would have needed it!
always at the time of purchase of equipment for a workshop that is recommended to take a couple of hours doing your research, and consider the best option.