There was basically only one model of ShopSmith, the changes they made
over the years (decades) were mostly cosmetic.
Its a OK tool, I never was able to go from lathe/drill/etc. to table
saw without spending time re-truing and getting everything square again,
they advertised that you could but never worked for me. As a table saw
it was pretty so-so, certainly not great. As a drill press, again
so-so. I used it a lot as a horizontal drill-press, made a lot of jobs
easier. As a wood lathe, its really hard to beat the ShopSmith, nice
stable turning platform. Its a good tool if you don't have the space,
if you do then not so good. I got a good table saw and drill press but
I kept my ShopSmith to use a lathe and occasionally horizontal drill, it
sits outside now under a tarp as I don't need a lathe often and its held
up surprisingly well being outside for over 10 years now, I have had my
ShopSmith since the late 1970's.
Mike
On 04/13/2011 11:16 AM, Mark Andy wrote:
> Howdy,
>
> I'll research some on the web and such, but my mother in law has a
> Shop Smith that was my father in law's before he died. She's offered
> it to us for free, but we need to go get it, about 700 miles away.
>
> I don't know what model, how old, or any of the rest.
>
> Is there a newbie Shopsmith site or something around? Mostly I'm
> curious if these are good quality / useful tools or if its some
> gimmicky thing that I'll forever be cursing.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Mark
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