I just picked up an older Mark V Model 500 with band saw at the Habitat Restore. Come to find out most of the standard attachments are missing: drill chuck, lathe centers, sanding disk, and manuals. I paid HfH $775 for what appears to be a well used and not well maintained machine. I would like to find replacement parts without having to buy all new. Thus a few questions:
1. should I fuss about the price? It was represented to be the full Monty, but when I got it home and started to set it up, I realized what was missing.
2. where can I find the missing parts?
3. should I upgrade to the 520 table and fence? I have the Craftsman BT3000 and it is in great shape. I also have a relatively new Craftsman RAS and Craftsman Lathe with copy crafter. I am thinking about selling the lathe and maybe the RAS. I also have a new DeWalt 12" compound sliding miter saw. I use the RAS a fair amount since it is readily available. I like it for lap joints and quick cut offs. never would even think about ripping with it.
4. Power unit on the Shopsmith seems to run ok, but may have seen most of its useful life. Would any of you recommend upgrading to the Mark VII power plant?
5. what would you recommend for deferred maintenance steps? I would guess it has not been lubed in some time and the band saw has some light rust on the table. That will get some steel wool and polishing compound. Doug Reid, the shopsmith guru recommends Johnson's paste wax on everything. That would seem to be a dust magnet. I use dry lube on all the other tools, especially blades, tables, lift mechanisms and bearings where I can get to them.
6. And, BTW Wifey is hard on me to reduce my tool inventory, liquidate something to offset the cost of the shopsmith.She has a point and my shop is small and already a bit crowded. Removing the Craftsman Lathe will solve the space problem. Anything else I should consider?
1. should I fuss about the price? It was represented to be the full Monty, but when I got it home and started to set it up, I realized what was missing.
2. where can I find the missing parts?
3. should I upgrade to the 520 table and fence? I have the Craftsman BT3000 and it is in great shape. I also have a relatively new Craftsman RAS and Craftsman Lathe with copy crafter. I am thinking about selling the lathe and maybe the RAS. I also have a new DeWalt 12" compound sliding miter saw. I use the RAS a fair amount since it is readily available. I like it for lap joints and quick cut offs. never would even think about ripping with it.
4. Power unit on the Shopsmith seems to run ok, but may have seen most of its useful life. Would any of you recommend upgrading to the Mark VII power plant?
5. what would you recommend for deferred maintenance steps? I would guess it has not been lubed in some time and the band saw has some light rust on the table. That will get some steel wool and polishing compound. Doug Reid, the shopsmith guru recommends Johnson's paste wax on everything. That would seem to be a dust magnet. I use dry lube on all the other tools, especially blades, tables, lift mechanisms and bearings where I can get to them.
6. And, BTW Wifey is hard on me to reduce my tool inventory, liquidate something to offset the cost of the shopsmith.She has a point and my shop is small and already a bit crowded. Removing the Craftsman Lathe will solve the space problem. Anything else I should consider?
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