Replies

1. 
   BruceS | Oct 04, 2006 05:15am | #1

   Unfortunately I went that route many years ago for lack of space,  The best solution is a bigger shop and dedicated individual tools, which I have since done.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

2. 
   JonDD | Oct 04, 2006 06:55am | #2

   I have one and like the drill part for both vertical and horizontal, the lathe is okay (for someone who doesn't do much with it) but the saw scares the heck out of me and I stopped using it. I finally got the space and money to get a table saw and some other stuff. Keeping the shopsmith for the lathe and drill press. Good luck with it.

3. 
   bones | Oct 04, 2006 06:53pm | #3

   I have one. It was a move up from the cheapy lowes 10" table top saw that could only cut a strait line after I threw the fence away and used a board with c-clamps. Then moved up to the 10" RAS. That made ripping a nerve racking experience. The next step was the shopsmith.  I did not get a lot of the attachements, but it worked great in the small shop.  The change over is a hassle, but works fine.  I still use the horizontal boring, disc sander, and lathe.  I would suggest you go online and E-bay it. I see them there all the time.  I have since moved on to stationary tools, but at the time it served its purpose well. 

4. 
   GW52 | Oct 04, 2006 09:08pm | #4

   I had a Totalshop which was a Taiwanese copy of a Shopsmith. Up unto the last move I had used it for about 15 years and the bevel cutting with the table saw really scared me, had a kickback that almost went through a metal garage door. When the movers got their hands on it they moved it in a way to break off the casting that attached one of the legs. To make a long story short the mover's insurance had to replace the Totalshop, which is out of business, with a similar machine. Thankfully the Shopsmith is so expensive that I now have a garage full of quality equipment. I even got an 18 inch drum sander out of the deal. When you see one of the Shopsmith's at a demo they look nice but it very limited on what they can do. I guess the major selling point it it is small and really does not take up a whole lot of space.

   Greg

5. 
   Troy | Oct 04, 2006 09:31pm | #5

   I have an Old Mark 5 that a friend "loaned" to me. I would second the coments about the table saw part but it does work Ok as a drill press. The one think I would say to anybody thinking about buying one is to look for them used in the bay area you can often find a good one with lots of accessorys for under 700.00. Anyway I don't think they are equal to seperate tools but are useful in their own way.

   Troy

6. 
   oldbeachbum | Oct 05, 2006 02:27am | #6

   I have a Mark V which I purchased new in '83/84.  Great tool. BUT.................as you say expensive for add-ons.  Just now building new garage with attached shop (FINALLY), my retirement gift to myself. 

   I've been slowly adding other dedicated tools to my collection.  I cannot bring myself to ever get rid of a tool, once purchased. No regrets. 

   I will keep it  because of its many features and quality build, but, will probably never buy another attachment for it.  Mostly due to the teardown/setup routine now that  I have more room and have become a little more skilled. 

   I forgot to mention that the attachment I have used the most is the Band Saw.  I find all features can do most jobs well.  It's also just the hassle of figuring out the proper setup sequence once you're into a project, so as not to keep repeating the same setup/teardown more than is needed.

   enjoy........bum

   ...a bad day at the beach is better than a good day anywhere else... :)

   
   

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   Edited 10/4/2006 7:37 pm by oldbeachbum