jrm@cbuxc.UUCP (John Miller) (01/14/86)
> I am looking for opinions, stories, etc on the Shop Smith MARK V (5). > A am thinking of buying one of these for my shop, but before I do > I would like some non-saleman type of feedback. At the time I bought mine, I had a table top drill press, 8" sears cast iron (old one) table saw and a bench type small wood lathe. To help pay for the Mark V I sold the table saw and the lathe. I was going to sell the drill press but soon discovered that I had better not. Shopsmith says the Mark V is: 1) a wood lathe - in this respect I find it somewhat adequate, but light weight. I have trouble with heavy pieces because it tends to jump around. 2) a horizontal boring machine - (really a drill press laying on it's back). In this mode I am satisfied, but I have limited use for it as such. I would rather use a doweling jig. 3) a disk sander - it performs this function very well! I have never seen a better disk sander anywhere. 4) drill press - FOR WOOD - it is great, you get lots of control over the speed and the table allows for setup ease. FOR METAL forget it! This is the reason I retained my table top drill press. I just can't go slow enough and it vibrates too much. 5) 10" table saw - FOR SMALL PROJECTS such as stools and lamps etc - it is OK, however, the working height of the table top is objectionable and I don't like tilting table tops. FOR LARGE PROJECTS such as dressers, closet inserts cabinets etc., it is a pain in the A. The table is not wide enough (yes I know they have a super version with a wider table, but I am still no impressed) and it is not long enough. For these reasons I picked up a nice old cast iron monster Sears 10" table saw from the mid 50's and restored it. I like this table saw very much! In summary, I think I will keep it. It comes in handy. It is a tool for someone with limited space and limited $$. It serves well for the beginner, but quickly becomes limiting to the novice. Note that I did find it easy to set-up and found the tool to be very accurate.