OK, I’ve read enough of the posts history to know how most of you feel about Shopsmiths. However, for a beginner with (you guessed it) limited space, what would you think of an older one in good working order for $250? Wouldn’t it be worth that just to use for the drill press, lathe and horizontal drilling capabilities? I could supplement it with a better quality table saw. I’m a know-nothing at this point. Am I way off base here?
Thanks for your help!
Replies
I think it is worth it just for the fact that it easy to set up for horizontal boring. Not a bad way to se how you like woodworking anyway and I'm sure you could always get your investment back out of it.
Tom
I have seen some nice projects come from a garage with a shopsmith. I would get it and use it. You can always add on to your garage or build a detached woodshop later and fill it with huge dedicated machines. Do what you have to do to make some sawdust.
-Del
How old of a shopsmith is it? The old ones in good shape sell for a bit more in this area.
BTW I have one along with a shop full of other stuff. They will do a lot of work. Most of the part are still available, some at the shop smith stores. The worst part I found was that the bearings are an odd size, but a good bearing shop can get them for you.
The one that I have was a one owner, local attorney. It has the varable pully system, a slick set up.
I use the lathe the most. The horizontal boring system works okay and I have made a lot of floating tennons with it.
Hope you get a lot of enjoyment out of it.
Curt
Mike, if you get the Shopsmith, you might be interested in an older book by R. J. DeCristoforo called Power Tool Woodworking for Everyone. The vast majority of the book is based on working with a ShopSmith. My copy was copyrighted in 1953, and it may not be in print anymore, but I'm sure there are copies out there on eBay, Amazon, half.com, etc., etc.
DeCristoforo is an excellent author by the way.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
After reading this thread I think maybe I got a good deal. I just picked up a 1952 era Shopsmith with all the attachments for $100. This machine has only been used about a dozen times total. Even has the books with it. The guy just wanted to get it out of his basement. I intend to make an attachment to be able to do horizontal morticing so I thought it would be worth the price as a base to start with. Anybody know where I can find a variable speed setup for it?The Professional Termite, aka Woodbutcher Extrodinaire
Thanks for the help. I'll try to pick up a copy of that book if I get the Shopsmith. What a great forum! Lot's of friendly folks willing to share their wisdom. If things work out, I'll know where to come running to in the future.
Cool name, by the way.
Mike, if you can't find it when you're ready, drop me a line. My copy was thrown in with some other WWing books, and is really kind of surplus. I think I've gleaned most of the stuff that's unique to that particular book, so could probably be persuaded to part with it.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Thanks, I appreciate it! In the meantime, could you suggest some reading for a beginner? I need to become familiar with basic techniques and terminology so I can start understanding what's being said in the posts.
Whoa! Weather forecast just said 108 this week. Time to pack up and head for the hills!
Take care,
mm
http://woodworking.about.com/cs/glossaries/index.htm?PM=ss13_woodworking
This is a "glossary" of terms used in woodworking. Hope this helps a little.
If not, just do a search on http://www.dogpile.com for "woodworking"...you will find more links than you will be able to read in a year.
Have a great day!
Del
Mike, as Del said there're tons of articles out in cyber-land. As to books, sheesh, don't know where to start. If you're within a reasonable distance of a large bookstore (Barnes & Noble in our area), go to their WWing section and pull up a chair. Look through everything there and see what appeals to you. If you have specific projects in mind, you can look for books that address those ("bookcases" or "garden furniture" or "cabinetry" for example). In many of these type-specific books, there will be introductory sections that go through basic WWing principles, joinery, tools, etc. Cursory info, for sure, but probably useful for you.
If you don't have any direction yet, but just want to read about the basics, look for general WWing books. The only general WWing books I have are both pretty old -- the one mentioned by DeCristoforo, and a 1975 book called The Complete Book of Woodworking. There are sure to be better and more modern ones out there for an overview. I've heard, but not seen, that there's even a "Woodworking for Dummies" book (You know about the "Dummies" series, right?).
My library started with a small lot of books bought at an auction, and 2 or 3 magazine subscriptions. I've added a handful of project-specific books, 1 or 2 books for each power tool (scroll saw, tablesaw, bandsaw, router, planer, jointer) as I bought the tools, and narrow-subject books such as those on jigs & fixtures, joinery, "Fixing and Avoiding Woodworking Mistakes" LOL! (great book by Sandor Nagyszalanczy), finishing (there are lots of ways to waste money on finishing books -- Jewitt and Dresdner are probably the best bets for good books in that area).
If you like to read, you'll have plenty of material for sure. Have fun.
PS: 108??? Where the heck do you live?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Thanks for the info. You too Del. I'm an Craftsman/Mission affectionado who's always dreamed of doing it myself. So I'll look for some books with that flavor (i.e., a good section on mortis and tenon joinery, eh?).
Forget the 108, now it's 110!!! If I could just get out of working, I'm only 1 hour away from the shade of the Giant Sequoias in Visalia, CA. Not likely, so I'll just say thank God for air conditioning.
By the way, I had a friend offer me his old Craftsman 10" table saw and an old Dewalt 10" radial arm saw FOR FREE! Gotta love that. Not sure if I'll still go for the Shopsmith for it's other capabilities. Really not sure that I'd have room for it all.
Ahhhhh, in the Fresno neighborhood -- now I understand. Long-time resident of the Sacto Valley I was, couldn't take it anymore.
Mike, there are bowkoo (that's French, LOL) books out there for you on building Arts&Crafts and Mission furniture. You'll be in 7th heaven once you find them. There are also reprints of the Stickley catalogs from the early 1900's
Yesterday, when visiting a WWer who had some tools for sale, I was blessed with some old oak pieces that may well be destined to become an A&C style lamp. When I find the plans, I'll pass 'em along.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
http://www.discount-books.com/
This is a decent place for buying woodworking books books online.
I read a LOT of woodworking books, especially when I'm on the road. Books are a great thing.
-Del
Thanks for the tip, Del! I've learned that I want to leaf through the book before deciding it's actually one I want, but then I might not buy it that night. I'll check prices on the web site you mention and maybe save some moola!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I'd buy it in a minute!
I've got a friend who saw one in a pickup on the way to the dump.
Resurrection Day! He's tickled pink.
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