Shopsmith Mark V

[Alan]

Does anyone own or has anyone used the Shop Smith Mark V?  Looks like an interestingly diverse and compact machine to have...

http://www.shopsmith.com/markvsite/index.htm

[michael pope]

I've only seen it demonstrated,but do have a friend that owns one..he likes it but as diverse as it seems,it still has its limitations to each of its tool applications.not sure if I would drop the 2 grand or so on it ...

[Alan]

no, i definitely won't drop $2k either. I would however maybe spend a couple hundred if i can find the right deal. I need a lathe anyway, lol

[Alan]

no kidding. more than i have lol

[michael pope]

Yea,....like I said..It better be a CNC milling machine for that kind of cash...

[David Dean]

Well it’s pretty but the last time I seen one it was in the back of this mans shop with a lot of bird dowe on it . I think he was asking $800 to $1200 in Jackson , Missouri . Don’t get me wrong it looks great for the small stuff but what about a sheet 4’ x 8’ and things like that and if you what to do it by the number’s now this come’s from the Grizzly catalog table saw GO438RL $635.00 , Jointer GO654 $ 375.00 . 15” Planer GO453 $ 995.00 and this is the best that money can buy so $2005 and the Mark V $2999 . And some of use don’t get to work 8 hour’s a day in there wood shop they have work and a family . So that gives you something to think about . grizzly.com
Dave

[justin waldron]

I have one that I'm giving away to a friend of mine. I found that I like independant tools moreso than the all in one approach. The lathe is very good on the shopsmith, but for the money you can buy really nice dedicated tools in my opinion. Yes, it was given to me, I didn't fork out that kind of dough!

[Mark Lesch]

I had the older 110 model they are a great tool but you have to plan very good as you have to take down each tool to use the next.
Mark Lesch

[Alan]

:) i like lively discussions. I have a table saw, large drill press, belt/disc sander. I just saw this and was curious about what people thought. I got very mixed reviews searching on the internet. I guess it's just one of those tools.

[Ron Harmon]

I have owned a Shopsmith 520 with the special purpose tools such as joiner, belt sander, band saw for some 15 years now and would not part with it. As for tool setup time, once you have done it a few times, it becomes second nature. Think about making a picture frame, after cutting your compound angles, all you have to do is remove the saw blade and put on the disk sander and your angles are still the same as the table is set with them, so now you can sand smooth without having to do anything else. The 12" disk sander function can't be beat, as besides having a large table surface area for your material, you also have the up and down ability of the table and the quill can be extended. Boring holes in a 4 foot table leg are simple to do. Switching to the drill press mode makes for a really great drill press. The DC 3300 Dust collector which SS also sells keeps my shop clean from sawdust. It is a great all around machine and is especially designed for a small shop which I have. I do all my turnings on it and pretty much keep the band saw mounted most of the time. It will cut a 4 X 8 sheet of plywood using the extension tables but I only cut large sheets like that with a portable hand circular saw as I wouldn't cut something that big on the best stand alone table saw. The quality and durability of it are second to none. In my opinion it is well worth the money, especially for a small shop. The only other stand alone tools I have and use is a bench top planner both by DeWalt.

[Alan]

That is what i was thinking. A nice compact multi-purpose machine. For the average tinkerer it seems like it would be a great place to start, especially with limited space. I was reading about one craftsman who built custom work out of the second room of a two room apartment :) Couldn't do that with all specialized equipment.

Ron Harmon said:

I have owned a Shopsmith 520 with the special purpose tools such as joiner, belt sander, band saw for some 15 years now and would not part with it. As for tool setup time, once you have done it a few times, it becomes second nature. Think about making a picture frame, after cutting your compound angles, all you have to do is remove the saw blade and put on the disk sander and your angles are still the same as the table is set with them, so now you can sand smooth without having to do anything else. The 12" disk sander function can't be beat, as besides having a large table surface area for your material, you also have the up and down ability of the table and the quill can be extended. Boring holes in a 4 foot table leg are simple to do. Switching to the drill press mode makes for a really great drill press. The DC 3300 Dust collector which SS also sells keeps my shop clean from sawdust. It is a great all around machine and is especially designed for a small shop which I have. I do all my turnings on it and pretty much keep the band saw mounted most of the time. It will cut a 4 X 8 sheet of plywood using the extension tables but I only cut large sheets like that with a portable hand circular saw as I wouldn't cut something that big on the best stand alone table saw. The quality and durability of it are second to none. In my opinion it is well worth the money, especially for a small shop. The only other stand alone tools I have and use is a bench top planner both by DeWalt.

[Jeffrey Thomas Woods]

I have a Model 510 upgraded to 520. Like all my other larger tools (jointer, planer, router station, etc.), my SS is on casters and moves around as needed. This is my major sawing, drilling, and dado(ing) tool. I woud not part with it. It is more accurate than most machines. Set up looks tedious--until you do it. Then you find out most changeovers take five minutes or less. The initial investment might seem on the high end. However, it is made in America. You have no problem getting parts if needed. There is a tremendous forum where you can discuss any problem and get unbiased and timely assistance. I have made an entire bedroom suite (kingsize headboard, dresser, and end tables) blanket chest, bookcases, stools, sofa tables, you name it with my SS and with my Kreg jig. Most people think I have an elaborate shop. I answer, no, just my SS and supporting equipment.

[Alan]

Very cool

Jeffrey Thomas Woods said:

I have a Model 510 upgraded to 520. Like all my other larger tools (jointer, planer, router station, etc.), my SS is on casters and moves around as needed. This is my major sawing, drilling, and dado(ing) tool. I woud not part with it. It is more accurate than most machines. Set up looks tedious--until you do it. Then you find out most changeovers take five minutes or less. The initial investment might seem on the high end. However, it is made in America. You have no problem getting parts if needed. There is a tremendous forum where you can discuss any problem and get unbiased and timely assistance. I have made an entire bedroom suite (kingsize headboard, dresser, and end tables) blanket chest, bookcases, stools, sofa tables, you name it with my SS and with my Kreg jig. Most people think I have an elaborate shop. I answer, no, just my SS and supporting equipment.