ShopSmith find. Need help deciding

The accessories are so much fluff, you will probably never use them. Check the machine out in person especially the tubes, motor, and quill movement and play. Find everything wrong with it then discount the asking price accordingly. NEVER offer the full asking price, half the fun of buying used machinery is the negotiations.

P.S. Check out the table lift lever, it many times breaks and you cannot order new parts.

-- Greg, No. Cal.

Thanks Greg. It was just a thought as I have all those things except the horizontal drill capability. I’m sort of crowded for space and unless it is a steal I would probably pass. Good to know what you told me though in case I come across another one.

-- If we could hear the trees grow or the heart beat of every animal,the things that we pass off as 'ordinary' , then the roar of God’s creation would overwhelm us.

How old is it and in what condition? You can do a search from the serial # and determine its age.
I bought one a while back for $440 that is 20 years old and is in excellent condition. I only plan to use the horizontal drill press feature, occasionally the vertical drill press feature and the motor with a Bealle buffing systyem . I have a shop full of tools that can do all it does better without changing setup but the features I purchased it for make it worth the money for me…I had a Shopsmith back in the late 1960’s and it was a really versatile tool.

-- Every step of any project should be considered your masterpiece if you want the finished product to reflect the quality of your work. http://www.FineArtBoxes.com

I just bought a Mark V for a bit and make sure you SERVICE it before you use it! Its not hard and there is plenty of documentation floating around the net about it. Believe me it makes a huge difference.

It is a 1952 in excellent condition. I have a small metal lathe but would this be better for larger things also?

-- If we could hear the trees grow or the heart beat of every animal,the things that we pass off as 'ordinary' , then the roar of God’s creation would overwhelm us.

There are at least two dedicated forums for the Shopsmith and one dedicated to the ER, Google them. I don’t know anything about the 10ER.

-- Paul, Beaverton OR, www.TravelbyPaul.com

I had a 10ER many years ago. I remember paying $100 for it at a garage sale and pushing it down the block to my house. I sold it for $100 about 2 years later and bought it back again for $100. I finally parted with it when I bought a cabinet saw, but I wish I still had it, now that I have a shop big enough. I think $275 is a bit much even though it is a great machine. I think $150 would be a more realistic price.

This thing if new will cost you hundreds of bucks!

-- Erwin, Jacksonville, FL

This thing if new will cost you hundreds of bucks!

I thought $275 was “hundreds of bucks.” Maybe that’s just me.

Ehh… I’ve seen a few listed for as low as $150-200. I can’t tell how they compare to the one you’re looking at though. Your’s might be in better condition.

-- "Well, at least we can still use it as firewood... maybe." - Doss

New is over 2000 $ 275 isnt all that bad, but I would try to bargin for less. I got one in 86 and use it some even I have a full shop of tools

-- WOOD/DON (...one has the right to ones opinion but not the right to ones own facts...)

I bought a Mark V 510 for $400 last year. Came with many extras PLUS a bandsaw, which was worth the $400 bucks alone and was the reason I bought it. I sold my 500 for almost as much and came out fine.

Save your money and keep looking.

-- Beer, Beer, Thank God for Beer. It's my way of keeping my mind fresh and clear...

Very interesting facts coming at me. Nice to know there are people who know about these things. Guess I’ll have to make a decision if it is still there. THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE HELPED ME.

-- If we could hear the trees grow or the heart beat of every animal,the things that we pass off as 'ordinary' , then the roar of God’s creation would overwhelm us.

It is a great drill press and descent lathe.
I prefer the 10ER over the MarkV.
All of my bowls have been turned on a 10ER.
$275 is a little high for my area unless it has the optional speed reducer, then it is a good deal.

-- Scott Smith, Southern Illinois

Doss a current new Mark 7 costs close to $4,000, but it has a 2HP DVR motor and lots of other stuff the 10ER doesn’t.

-- Paul, Beaverton OR, www.TravelbyPaul.com

Paul, why are you telling me this?

It’s almost like me saying double cheeseburgers at McDonald’s are 99 cents.

I gave my opinion and it seems to be in line with everyone else’s. I didn’t comment on the Mark 7.

-- "Well, at least we can still use it as firewood... maybe." - Doss