Shop Smith

[TOTAL CARNAGE]

Someone at our shop disassembled and scrapped a Shop Smith tool!
I have the base and rails with the motor/head, a scroll saw, small table and a few other parts. From what I have found so far, it is a Pre 1960 model.
Now, the question is, should I put time and money to restore this vintage machine or is it just not worth it??

[grizz]

Someone at our shop disassembled and scrapped a Shop Smith tool!
I have the base and rails with the motor/head, a scroll saw, small table and a few other parts. From what I have found so far, it is a Pre 1960 model.
Now, the question is, should I put time and money to restore this vintage machine or is it just not worth it??

Looking at what people do with these, restored or not, I would vote for a resto and then use it, or sell on.

My machine is a 1950's design, made in 1977 and I love it.



In fact I have no "new tools in the shed.

The newest tool is a 1999 vintage belt/disc sander. Cost £60, replacement value today as they are still made £400



Large industrial sized bandsaw, came with 4 new blades valued at £25 each. Cost me £100 on Ebay, and was used on the set building of the Harry Potter movies according to the seller.
I am sure you will not replace it for less than £600 today.



Last one, and aesthetically my favourite, Drill press/Pillar drill Cost £63 on Ebay, and a stunning machine to work with.





Yep, I would say restore.


And as a last bit of inspiration... Moho did this Shopsmith resto.

From this:



To this:

[TOTAL CARNAGE]

Nice!
I have been building things for as long as I can remember but more of a mechanic than a carpenter. For that reason, a Shop Smith was a tool I would have liked but never "worth" the money. A welder...drill press....plasma cutter yea but something for wood? No way!
Well time and toys change and now with a big chunk of the tool for free I'm thinking I need this!! LOL....
The pics you show help. I can see a bunch of the parts I have are for the scroll saw that is laying under the machine. I have the rip fence and slide thing but not the table for the saw.
I'm sure that in a long run getting this back together is going to cost more than I can buy a complete one for but I hate to see this one junked....
If any one else has or has used one of these please let me know what you think. Is it worth fixing up or a money pit that will sit in the corner of my shop collecting dust?
If pics would help I can get them tomorrow.

[Shadow Catcher]

There are Shop Smith bits on Ebay. I had one but found making adjustments and changing tools a pain.

[DMcCam]

Howdy, you can find Shop Smith manuals on-line to use as a parts list. At least then you would know what's missing if anything. I've got a '62 that needs rebuilding on the speed control and polishing so I'm going to fix it. If you're not missing many parts it might be worth doing too.

Cheers,

Dave

[TOTAL CARNAGE]

Thanks for the input!
Shadow Catcher....That's what I'm thinking about a "multi-tool" just when I get it set up to rip boards, I'll need to drill something.
Dave...I've been doing just that! Looks like I'm going to be into this "free" machine for around a 1000 bucks. Missing most of the table saw stuff and from the parts I do have it looks like it's the one table they don't make anymore. It looks like I can up-grade to a newer one with no problem.
I am going to go over the motor and belts, find the numbers and see just what I have and go from there.

[Juneaudave]

Shopsmith's are best if you don't have room or money for stationary tools. An older Shopsmith is a horrible table saw, but some of the other setups work well....ie. the planer attachment is nice, the drill press set up works well, sanding operations are good etc. You can get pretty decent cuts, but you need to take your time with setup. I built my trailer with one, and quite truthfully, kind of enjoy fussing with it.

Take a look on ebay and search for Shopsmith. You will see a number of them right close to you that are together and are reasonable in price. That will give you a sense of value. There are a lot of people that own them that would not do woodworking otherwise.

[TOTAL CARNAGE]

Oh yea! I just came from e-bay....... I see all the parts I need and many more I don't need but now want! Prices are waaay better than direct from Shop Smith.
I think my value on this machine will be in bringing something old back to life. I hope everything in the head looks good. If that works and it IS a pre 60's I'm going to fix it up.
From the way it reads at the S.S. site, you can up-grade the bearings and spindle to the newest version for tighter tolerances.

[eamarquardt]

There are several of em for sale in the Pittsburg area:

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/search ... catAbb=sss

Maybe you could buy one for cheap and keep the best of the two and sell leftover/duplicates on EBay.

Cheers,

Gus

[TOTAL CARNAGE]

Hi Gus.
I didn't realize how many were out there! Looks like the best way, buy another, fix the best and have spare parts.
Heck, I didn't even know I NEEDED one until I found one in the scrap bin!! Now I may end up with two

The only problem with free stuff is that it ALWAYS costs me money.

[eamarquardt]

The only problem with free stuff is that it ALWAYS costs me money.

There is no such thing as a "free lunch".

I've been to Pittsburg three times. First for brain surgery, second for a surgery with no anesthesia, and finally a repeat of the second surgery (on my right side the second time though) WITH anesthesia!!!!! The brain surgery hurt more than the surgery with no anesthesia!!!!

I'm sure you'll have more fun in Pittsburgh looking at used Shopsmiths than I did.

Cheers,

Gus

[Sonoma ZR2]

I got a Shop Smith in the garage of my own. I've been using one for about 20 years since my Dad has one. As long as I can remember. He taught me everything that I know about woodworking it takes time to switch operations but as long as you think about getting every process done at each setup done at once it isn't bad to switch back and forth once you get used to the tool changing.

[Moho]

I just restored the one above, I've wanted one forever. I used one in high school for a project that belonged to a friends dad. They are great tools in a little footprint in your shop. I haven't done anything on mine yet due to waiting on the quill bearing but will within a week or so. I've done a TON of research and have all the manuals.

If you have any questions along the way if you decide to restore, hit me up. I completey disassembled every peice, including disassembling the electric motor. I replaced every bearing in it and cleaned and polished every internal part. I now know the tool inside and out now, lol.

Before I start, if you get it together, DO NOT START IT UP until you understand the sheave (pulley) system and have adjusted and checked it is in the proper alignment with the speed control. Doing so can and will damage several internal parts

Couple variations in them to consider, which can be upgraded as well...
1) Older models had a 3/4hp motor, they switched in the 60's to a 1 and 1/8hp motor which is far superior and less prone to bogging down.
2) The Quill (part that extends out of the motor): Older had single bearings, if you plan on doing much with it consider upgrading to the dual bearing
3) Older models had a Gilmer (toothed) belt and clutch. Newer have a Poly-V (has exterior ridges on the belt). The gilmer belt is more prone to damaging the machine if it locks up in material you are cutting. This can be upgraded to the Poly V.

I have the basic tool (lathe, saw, drill press, circular sander), the 4" planer/jointer, the scrollsaw, router attachment, and a few misc. chucks. Watching for a bandsaw, moulder and belt sander to pop up at a reasonable price

The Pros:
1) Alot of tools in a small footprint (12 sq ft)
2) Parts are readily available and interchangeable with the current models for the most part
3) The cost of the shopsmith is quite a bit less than getting all the stand alone tools.
4) Changing tools is quite easy and quick on a properly adjusted and maintained machine.
5) It's a GREAT entry level tool for testing the water with your woodworking (why I got it).
6) They are built like a truck and will last forever provided you maintain it.

The Cons:
1) The table saw is ...bleh, not much table space. I will use my standalone table saw.
2) The planer is more of a joiner. Don't think it will be the same as a standalone planer, not even close.
3) Work must be well thought out or you will be changing tools every other minute. (this is why so many people end up letting them collect dust). You have to plan your project many steps ahead if you will be using multiple tools.
4) There is quite a bit of maintenance which must be performed on a regular basis if it is used much. Waxing and a little oiling, mostly lots of waxing. (Johnson Paste Wax will be your friend)
5) This is not a heavy duty commercial machine. It's great for light to moderate use but you will want standalone machines if you do a ton of woodworking.
6) If you have little "shophands" like my 2 year old. They tend to go straight for messing with the speed control. You have to keep them away from it (see the text above is huge bold letters, lol.)

Overall if it is an older machine don't plan to make a bunch of money by restoring, testing it out and selling. Gathering all the parts, attachments and such will cost a little bit. The older machines like mine go for roughly $750-ish in great condition if you find the right buyer. I purchased mine for $200, put about $200 in parts and paint and quite a bit of time. If you plan to add the major attachments the cost can add up quick. The upgrades (if your's needs it) are a little expensive, but well worth it if you plan to keep and use the machine.

Also if you end up restoring and it is the "greenie" version like mine. The original colored hammered paint must be ordered by the case (or pay $15.00 per can on Amazon) I bought a case and have extra paint and would sell it to you at what I paid for it ($6.00) per can if you end up needing it.

I got mine for the nostalgia and an entry level peice to try out another end of woodworking I haven't done and plan to keep it for many years.

[Moho]

BTW, all the above is assuming it is a Mark V and not a 10ER. You did say it was from around 1960...

One other thing you forgot...

lol

[doug hodder]

I had a neighbor leave one in his back yard when they moved. I wheeled it home....gave it to Grant. I have all dedicated tools, and personally never cared for the Shop Smith program. The table saw is my biggest workhorse and don't see a lot of what I do happening on a Shop Smith. Just me though.