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Re: Are Shopsmiths any good?
By:Bill Price
Date: 6/27/2000, 5:03 pm
In Response To: Are Shopsmiths any good? (Brian Nystrom)

: I've seen a bunch of these with loads of attachments for sale lately at good
: prices and I'm tempted to buy one. My current table saw is old, wimpy and
: uses oddball blades (9"). I have a couple of drill presses and a
: router, but not much else. I can see where a bandsaw, jig saw, lathe,
: jointer, surface planer, and belt and disk sanders could come in handy for
: boat building and other home projects (plus I'd have a new table saw with
: extensions). I can get all of this for $1400-$1500 (used), which is a lot
: less expensive than buying single function tools and takes up much less
: space.

I've been using one for a few years. I would agree with the comments here ... if you plan on doing a lot of woodworking, go with stand alone equipment. The table saw is small, by default, for ripping plywood, for example. I think you can extend it, but I've never done this. On the other hand, for smaller light weight work it is fine. I've ripped strips with the band saw with no major problems. I will be routing and planing these on stand alones, however. I have to disagree about changing setups. That's usually pretty quick (I mainly go between table saw, band saw, and drill press). The quality is pretty good. Much better than say a cheap tablesaw at a discount house. I've found the implements can be expensive, though. BTW: The bore on my table saw blades is not common place. Check out their WEB page to see where the model you are looking at stands. Some of the newer models have substantial improvements. And, yes, watch out for those sales men/women and their nest giraffes :-)

Bill Price

Messages In This Thread

Are Shopsmiths any good?
Brian Nystrom -- 6/27/2000, 12:32 pm
Re: Are Shopsmiths any good?
Brian Conklin -- 6/30/2000, 11:55 am
Re: Are Shopsmiths any good?
Tig and Tink -- 6/29/2000, 12:33 am
Re: Are Shopsmiths any good?
Bruce -- 6/28/2000, 8:29 pm
Re: Are Shopsmiths any good?
Rick Thomas -- 6/29/2000, 12:34 am
Re: Are Shopsmiths any good?
andy clifford -- 6/28/2000, 2:33 am
Re: Are Shopsmiths any good?
Paul G. Jacobson -- 6/27/2000, 11:48 pm
Re: setup changes; 12" disc sander
Dave E -- 6/27/2000, 5:41 pm
Re: Are Shopsmiths any good?
Bill Price -- 6/27/2000, 5:03 pm
Re: Are Shopsmiths any good?
Don Beale -- 6/27/2000, 4:50 pm
Re: Are Shopsmiths any good?
Joe Greenley -- 6/27/2000, 4:16 pm
That's exactly what I thought.
Brian Nystrom -- 6/27/2000, 4:40 pm
Re: Are Shopsmiths any good?
John Danley -- 6/27/2000, 2:20 pm
Re: Are Shopsmiths any good?
Craig Doyle -- 6/27/2000, 12:53 pm