b4d93r

The opportunity to discuss the purchase of the shopsmith presented itself last night in the form of a new puppy. I told here i'll make a deal with her, she can get the new puppy if I can get the shopsmith. Looks like we're getting a puppy.

Gene Howe

Congratulations! I'm sure you will love them both. BTW welcome to the "Cult".

You might go over here for some Shop Smith assistance, if you need it. Lots of info and tons of shop projects.

http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/

Great bunch and always willing to help. Just like here!

Texas Sawduster

Does anyone know what the other Shopsmith type equipment manufacturer is?
I had catalog info a few years ago (before my last move) and I don't seem to be able to find either. This other manufacturer also made similar sized metal working equipment.

Thanks

Ken

Texas Sawduster

I found the link to the other brand.
See below.

http://www.smithy.com/products.php?cid=18

b4d93r

I spoke to soon. Plans have changed. My co-worker want's way too much in my opinion ($1200) and won't budge. My fiance' and I sat down last night and went through Home Depot's site and priced out all the pieces that come with the Shopsmith and I would be able to get all of them plus a few other items for that amount. So we both made the decision that we will go individual pieces instead.

One good thing is that I can build a table for my table saw to sit in how I want it and feel safer using it. I wasn't able to do that with the Shopsmith. Going this route means i'll have to plan my shop space a little better but I'm good with that.

woodnthings

I'm glad it worked out this way. Any tool that claims to do 5 different tasks can't possibly do them all "equally" well, in my opinion. There is nothing like a freestanding table table saw with a large table to support the work and a tilting arbor (left) the TS being the workhorse of the shop. The bandsaw, jointer and drill press are also best as freestanding tools. You are not limited to a certain size as an attachment would be on the SS. If space is limited, roller bases will allow you to roll tools into use as required and store them easily. They run about $70 per tool and figure that in to the budget. Acquire tools as the job requires and eventually you will have a complete shop. The Riged brand from HD gets mixed reviews. Most say they are fine. Myself, I think Grizzly has the best tools for the money. I own 4 Grizzly tools and have only good things to say. bill

__________________
If you're not making dust, you're gathering it. After I reread my own posts, I agree with myself even more.

shopsmithtom

Good luck on the direction you're going. As an admitted Shopsmith nut I'm thinking (of course) that your headed in the wrong direction. (remember, it seems like people are strongly divided on this issue) I agree that your friend wants too much for the machine. If you're willing to look around, you should be able to find a good used Smith for $300 with the basic 5 functions & maybe even with the bandsaw & jointer as well. Even if it's $500, & you hate the Shopsmith table saw function & spend $300 more for that, you'd be money ahead & I doubt that any of the tools you priced out at Home Depot will last 50 years which is commonplace with a Shopsmith. While I'm tempted to babble on with lots more reasons to reconsider, (remember, I'm a "Smith" nut) I won't take up any more space. After all, we get our tools to build stuff & have fun. I do, Which ever way you go, you will too. Life is good.
By the way, with regard to that reference above to the Supershop, I heard that they went under, and I note that Harbor Freight now has a combo tool online that looks suspiciously like it for about $1800.

b4d93r

There are advantages and disadvantages to both sides of the discussion as I am finding out. Space was one of the biggest factors for me along with cost. I'll admit, the individual tools I'll purchase will be more of they Ryobi brand than any other. I own a few of their products and they have done the job as I have needed without issue. Keep in mind I'm still beginning and my skills aren't the best.

I can't see dropping $400-$500 on a single tool that I'll use a few times vs. $100 - $300 on the same tool especially with my current skill set. I'm also a believer that one doesn't have to have the uber expensive and fancy tool to do a job. I've proven this to myself over and over. For example, back in college, I beat the three other guys in my PE course in the bicycling final test on a huffy while they had the $1000 + fancy road bikes and I wasn't out of breath or tired and ready for 5 more miles when they crossed the finish line. This was because I had the skill set and took care of my tool (bike). There are other examples but you get the point.

The Shopsmith was a starting point for me. It would give me the primary tools I would need to accomplish the majority of tasks that I need to do at this time (mostly honey-dos). As my skill set increased and got better, so would my tools.

Eventually I would like to start building furniture. Plus I still have the whole garage/shop space I need to get set up. Once I have the shop area ready, then I can start to look at the nicer tools such as the Grizzly line. one gentleman posted a pic of his shop here and it's a beautiful shop, full of what seems the entire Rigid line. This is a goal for me that I have set for myself, to have a shop like that. I actually put his pic as my desktop wallpaper as insparation.

I'm still going to keep an eye out for a Shopsmith. You never know when that one sweet deal pops up. The other tools won't be appearing very quickly I can say that for sure. There is a core set that I've worked out with the fiance' such as a table saw, router, shop vac, and a few misc hand tools. The shop vac, oddly enough was a no argument item. We've had to borrow a friends a couple of times and it has shown how much of a "need" it is than a "want".

As my skills, shop space and projects grow, so will my tools.

Texas Sawduster

Take a look on Craigs List.
Here in Texas they seem to be selling them alot.

b4d93r

I've been watching the one for Denver and surrounding areas. However I don't think I'll be getting one from there. The biggest reason i was going to get this one was that he was going to let me make payments which, right now is a do-able option. I don't know about you guys but I don't have $300-$1000 just lying around. This is also whats making the individual tools appealing as well. I can pick them up as I need them and the price is affordable.

rrbrown

Now that your buying individual tools you can start planning for a nice new shop to build so you can use the new tools and have room to buy more tools.

I told the LOML that I was about finished getting tools for a while since I have almost everything I wanted and needed. Then by chance my 16 year old daughter decided to buy this as her first car.

Now the LOML tells me "Damn I guess you need Mechanics tools now."

The shopping began the next day.

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__________________
Semper Fi
Richard

Once A Marine Always A Marine.

Some choose to study history, but Marines choose to create history.

shopsmithtom

The old Shopsmith vs separate tool discussion has & probably will continue to go on forever with fervent supporters on both sides. I would encourage you to keep an eye out for a deal on one. Craigslist & local buyers guide papers can be a source. The way I've gotten my best deals was to put a "wanted; Shopsmith" type ad on craigslist. That way you might get someone without a predetermined price in mind & you can make the offer. Since I'm not in a hurry, I can offer low & walk away if they won't take it. Here's some of my history in that area.
MK5(1957) w/ bandsaw & jointer, needed only cleanup & lube; $300. MK5 (1958) w/ jointer, needed motor bearings (1hr to install & $15 parts); $125. MK5 1962, needed nothing, $150. MK5,1993, $75, needed $100 in parts from ebay.
Obviously, it helps if you're handy to clean up and/or do a few things on them, but my point is: it never hurts to keep on the lookout for deals. Remember, even if you decide on a good table saw, the "Smith", from my experience, is a great lathe, horizontal borer, drill press & disk sander, all in a small space. (By the way, if you ever get tired of hearing me spout the Shopsmith stuff, feel free to just say "shut up". Like I said, I'm kind of a nut in that regard.

Texas Sawduster

Good luck with that and have fun.
Wish I had room to do that.

b4d93r

You have a very smart daughter. Lots of metal, little plastic. I used to have an old 76 Plymouth Fury that was a tank. Wish I still had it for my 11 year old. I for one can say that I plan to have my first driver running around in something that will cause more damage to the other can than hers. I'm not worried about the car at all, just the driver!