I Bought Woodworking's LEAST Dangerous Tool (or as safe as anything else)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 พ.ค. 2023
- Video response to John Malecki's recent critique of a 1993 Shopsmith Mark V model 510 he purchase on the used market.
This video will only make sense if you watch John's video first.
"I Bought Woodworkings Most Dangerous Tool" - • I Bought Woodworkings ...
Also, see Scott Markwood's video response on his My Growth Rings channel. • A response to John Mal...
#woodworking #shopsmith
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Great video, however I disagree with what you said about the bandsaw being the safest, since the blade runs in a continuous direction it can pull you farther into it. My opinion is the scrollsaw or jigsaw in cuts in a ups down cut so won't pull into the blade. I taught 4h woodworking for over 30 yrs and started kids on a scrollsaw at age 6 and had never had an injury
You know what Bill, you're right. This is such an important point I am going to pin your comment to the top.
I should have said I would recommend the scroll saw. If my girls ever ask their dad to teach them we will start with the scroll saw. I think I was too overly focused on the tools that John talked about in his video and forgot about in the moment.
I have the original Shopsmith scroll saw, which they call the Jigsaw 610. It's a rigid arm design from another era but I really like using it.
This is a great post. The Scroll saw was the first power tool I let my kids use unsupervised. 10/10.
So well done, Tom! Way to go. Thank you for taking the time to do such a thorough rebuttal of John's video. Scott
It had to be done!
@@woodshopnerdery And boy, you done it!
I watched your video too Scott and loved it. Great job Tom!!!
I didn't watch Malekis video, but I saw it in my feed. I am glad both of you spoke up! I have owned multiple SS and still have one.
Rock on!!
Great job Tom!
My only criticism is you were too diplomatic and kind.
As a brand new Shopsmith owner I took his content as a brand hit peice. He went out of his way to discredit and keep newbies like me away from Shopsmith. Had I saw that video before my Mark 7 purchase, I likely would have skipped it. I 32:33 think that was one of his intended tasks.
I would gladly recommend a Shopsmith to anyone with half a brain.
I would think twice if I were a corporate sponsor to partner up with him! In fact if he already has sponsors, I'd consider distancing my product affiliations in fear of hurting my brand.
In my opinion, he went way out of his way to sabotage Shopsmith directly. Why? Who knows, but he was very deliberate and very exacting on his intent. I will not ever consider buying a tool he recommended if only just that fact I can't trust his judgment and what his true "relationship" to the products. Why would anyone take a class from him? That's probably fake as well?
Anyway, both yourself and Scott have great content and I appreciate all that you both do. I bought my Mark 7 and a used Mark 5 recently in part on both your content. I've always wanted one as a kid. I'm a first time Shopsmith owner and a woodworker. As you said, there are many good channels out there with Shopsmith systems, and I'm searching them out.
Thanks again!
Jon
@@MyGrowthRingsI agree… a dishonest posting of this sort had to be agenda driven! Thankfully, Tom respectfully and factually countered it’s untruths!
Great commentary Tom. I didn't watch the video in question as the thumbnail felt like trolling (as other commenters have already mentioned). I'm an avid Truck Camper enthusiast and see tons of the same sort of games in that community too. I do my best to not even give them the stats of one additional view.
I don't know of a genuine Shopsmith content creator who isn't passionate about the SS system.
Thanks for the support, Mark!
Hi Tom, I am a retired Tool and die maker and decided I required a woodshop in my basement. It became instantly clear that older equipment was worth my pursuit however none of the industrial equipment would make it into my basement. I found an early 90s shopsmith used 5 times by the sellers deceased father and then it sat under a bedsheet for decades. Considering the like new condition and the sheer number of operations this equipment could perform (yes planer, jointer, bandsaw, lathe duplicator, router fence, belt sander, and two power stands were all included) this became a no brainer purchase for me. Also for anyone questioning the “power” of this equipment might want to consider I lucked into the rare 240v motor with my shopsmith and it has plenty of power for any woodworking task. The thing I missed the most about tool and die making were the setups and the thought process that goes into creating a solid, reliable, repeatable setup. The shopsmith absolutely requires these same considerations and if you apply them correctly you can achieve safe execution of all tasks performed. The equipment has been flawless for me and I’ve upgraded the planer to a 40 insert helical head which was made locally for me by shear tech. Is this heavy duty industrial equipment - no. Is this cheap plastic current offering equipment - no. Shopsmith lands right in the middle of the spectrum and seeing it all fits down my unique basement staircase it’s literally a perfect fit/solution. Cheers
I really like this response. It thoroughly addresses a lot of the things I noticed in John's video. To me, it seemed like John had made up his mind about the machine before purchasing it.
ShopSmiths are not perfect machines, but they are not any more or less dangerous than anything strapped to a 1 1/8hp motor. Should you fear it? No, but you should _respect_ it.
I do not get a whole lot of use out of my ShopSmith and there are some functions I have never felt comfortable doing (table saw is too high for my liking as a pretty short person I always feel like I would take kickback straight to the chest😂 ) but I can appreciate the utilitarian approach to the tool and I have been very impressed with the things I have seen yourself and others make using them.
Thanks Wayne! No tool can be engineer to perfections. There are pros and cons to all of it. The goal is to choose the tool that has the greatest number of pros that benefit your situation specifically.
Someone who holds themselves out as an expert advice giver should be able to help the audience understand and work through the pros/cons. If not, then they are not an expert.
Tom, I agree 100% with your response to John's video . I have been using shopsmith equipment since 1986, and safely made hundreds of projects.
That's great Gary! Here's hoping for many more years of safe woodworking.
ShopSmith is a light industrial and well made machine. If you use a blade guard with the table saw, you will be safe. Safety requires a clear head and a well maintained machine. Thanks for your video.
Thanks for the back-up Terre, you make a great point.
Hi Tom, as a Smithsmith user for 61 years, I've still got all 8 fingers and both thumbs. The only scars on the digits are from other hazards. Your demonstration of the safety of the table saw configuration is excellent. I got started woodworking with a 10-ER that Dad traded up to. It was a 1949 model. He then traded up to a Mk5 in 1984. As far as I know that old 10-ER is still making sawdust. I've got the '84 unit. The Christmas before last I snatched up a 1958 Mk5 Greenie. It has now been completely refurbed and is in use as my Drill Press and OH Router. Not bad for a 65 year old piece of machinery. With the right preventative maintenance I'm sure that both of my Shopsmiths will provide many more years of safe sawdust making. And I appreciate your sharing ideas and info with the rest of us.
Tom, just terrific, as always. No wonder why you have gained the respect and appreciation of Scott Markwood and the rest of us.
Wow, thanks so much for the compliments, Jon.
I appreciate you sir. Very insightful and to the point. I bought an older shopsmith and been educating myself on how to set it up properly and safely and had no issues using it. It opened the door for someone like me to experience woodworking from a small garage and at a very affordable price. Thanks for all of your videos, very inspiring. Cheers
I love hearing your story Ramez. That was my exact situation 9 years ago when I bought my 510 used for a few hundred bucks. It allow me access to learn about techniques and operations in woodworking and really helped be grow and still does.
I love the hell out of your thumbnail man! Once I saw John's video I knew you and Mgr would pop in
Thanks Cody!
Thank you so much for setting the record straight, Tom. It is so wrong to put out misinformation!
I agree Mark. I could let go someone who is trying to do it right but just makes a mistake. But in this video they didn't seem to care what was true and what wasn't.
Thanks Tom, your response is spot on. I believe he had the speed set at K(2050rpm) when he ran the bandsaw😮. No wonder the blade jumped off! I generally run mine at B or C (850-950rpm) and the book says maxis D(1050). Just one more reason to read the book, you know, set the speed before connecting the SPT.
So true about the speed. I've been there many times with the speed too high for the band saw and needing to disconnect, slow down, then reconnect. Also, I suspect the guide blocks were pinching the blade which caused a jam, which tripped the circuit breaker. That's just based on the sound of the saw.
If I remember right my bandsaw says the correct speed right on it, right next to the coupler where you can't miss it when you put it on!
More comments:
OMG, I didn’t know about the different holes on the Lathe Rest Holder. Learn something new. Game Changer.
What a great video. It tears apart everything John used to trash the SS.
OMG, using the saw guard! What a concept.
Love the Risk Analysis Graph. Used in so many instances including crossing the street.
Thanks, glad you like the video and found some help info.
I used a Shopsmith for years (bought it new) when I worked in my garage. Had lots of fun with it. Only sold it when I built a woodworking shop in my backyard and had the room to go to individual machines. Finally a few years ago, I bought one used and made a dedicated drill press out of it.
Thanks for sharing the story, Ken.
YT knew I watched the "other" video and feed this right up. so 1. good video. 2. algo is working for sure.
Best line in the entire presentation: "Hopefully you're a woodworker so you know how to make a board..." Well Spoken!
Thanks John I was hoping someone would pick up on that!
I did see his video and agree with all you pointed out of discrepancies of the video. I have a Shopsmith that has been in the family since the 70's and will be selling very soon and still believe ,for the home shop , this is the best system out there . I have used this machine in different aspects for the last 40 years. And i still have all of my fingers
That's great David! Thanks for sharing your story.
Well done Tom. Lots of great detail. Mike Young has also issued a very good video response. Scotts, you're and his are all well done. I noticed you didn't link or reference to Mike's but, I'm guessing it's because yours came out before his. Mike issued an excellent change. Anyway thanks for this and all of your other excellent content.
Thanks Pete! Yes, I had all the filming done before any of the other responses were out. It took several days to complete the editing and post the video. So that's why they're not included.
Great video! I never thought I'd have to concern myself with defending my tools. I don't think I could put it into words like you have...I just know it works and I enjoy using it! I like your shortened setup... giving me ideas for my extra MarkV. Lots of useful info! Thank you.
Thanks so much Lisa! Is this Scott’s sister? There are quite a few clever folks with all sorts of ideas on how to use the spare Mark V. The Shopsmith forums are a treasure trove for that sort of thing.
@@woodshopnerdery yep, I'm Lysol!
@@lisakennedy1599 thanks for dropping by!
Fantastic video. Way to tell the facts.
I believe John set out to ridicule the Shopsmith to get a controversy going to get a lot of hits.
One thing I was thinking on his claim of a loose blade, did he tighten the set screw into the taper or just the round area. If just the round area, then it could come loose. He definitely did check the blade position to the insert. This could have help the set screw coming loose if it was on the round part of the shaft. It also may have been purposely done to showcase bad results.
He didn’t even check the bandsaw tightness before starting up. I would think that was something you would do with any bandsaw. Aren’t you suppose to leave the tension less when you are not going to use the bandsaw for a long period.
Again great rebuttal.
Thanks William. Great point about the set screw possibly being on the round and not the flat of the shaft!
This woodworking hobbyist is a first time viewer just at a time when you decide to leave TH-cam - I am sorry about that. Thanks for posting your thorough and thoughtful video. Your experience has been my experience. My Shopsmith has delivered 20 years of enjoyment and some respectable projects along the way; that is, after I read the instructions and some practice. I admit that I would prefer to have a large shop with stand alone tools but my reality is like many Shopsmith users, space is limited to a corner of my garage. I am happy to report that I still have possession of all of my fingers while holding a deep respect for the Shopsmith whether I am using it or not. If only my hand tools were as safe and did not require an occasional blood sacrifice. That said, I leave the compound miter cuts to my chop saw.
Thank you again for your admirable defense of the tool(s). Best wishes for future success.
Outstanding! Thank you, Tom.
Well done. I bought mine new around 1993 & have no qualms using myself, with my kids & even appropriate age grandkids. Everyone needs to understand how tools work & how to use them safely. I'd give you multiple thumbs up if I could.
Thanks Dan, I appreciate hearing about you successes with your Shopsmith.
I was waiting to see this video! Before I ran into your channel, I didn't really know much about the ShopSmith. Thank you for explaining some of the points that were brought up.
You're welcome Erik, thanks for the comment!
nice video and well presented. Thanks for taking the time and effort to do it!!
You’re welcome, Tom. Thanks for the support.
I have bought my shop smith in the 70th and it is still working and I am still happy with it
Great job Tom, totally agree. Like the Bear guy, his is another click bait winey video. You tactfully tore apart the bs. Thanks for a comprehensive video and sticking up for the community.
Thanks you Damion, it's great to have the back-up!
thank you, I watched the video you referenced before finding yours. I got my Shopsmith Mark V as my 16th birthday present. I am now 56 and it is still a vital part of my shop. I just made an adapter for the saw guard so I can cut metal with very little shavings leaving the guard. I don't know if that guy was just trying to have ...fun... or not, but yeah, the way he over exaggerated things really turned me off. Thanks for the video!!!!!!!
You're welcome Joe, thanks for sharing your story. Folr those reading this comment, here Joe's video th-cam.com/video/oh9zIPXvd2s/w-d-xo.html
@@woodshopnerdery Thank you
Saw your comments on MyGrowthRings video and thought I would come check you out. Nice demo of the Shopsmith. Like I stated there I have a friend that owns the Mark V and He does awesome furniture pieces with that Shopsmith.
Thanks for dropping the comment, I really appreciate the support.
Thank you. I am using my third Shopsmith that I bought from a person that purchased it new and never turned it for about 5 years. Mine has the power pro motor and nearly every component that is manufactured for Shopsmith. I am a former shop educator and I love mine.
Thanks Ronnie! Congrats on the PowerPro and all the accesories.
I have built everything from pens to about 300 different projects. Beds, yard swings, decks, some beautiful awesome projects. Thank you for setting the record straight.
I have some project pictures that shows the usefulness of the Shopsmith and it’s capabilities. Not sure how to get them to you.
@@ronnieblair7722 the machine works in the right hands
@@ronnieblair7722 you should consider sharing those on the official Shopsmith forum or on the Shopsmith Owners Facebook group.
Excellent response, Tom. Thank you for an intelligent and insightful video. Much appreciated.
You're welcome John. This one was a lot of work, glad to hear it was appreciated.
My father sold Shopsmiths as a side gig in the 1950’s. He had one for about 50 years and the only part that ever needed replacing was a gimel belt. I bought on in the late 80’s and have had it ever since. I don’t do enough woodworking ( I’m a sculptor ) to dedicate large floor space to standalone woodworking tools. The shopsmith is fully calibratable, and literally built far more robustly than any of those smaller job site table saws currently so popular. And I like having A lathe, Table saw, Horizontal boring machine, drill press, disc sander, conical sander, belt sander, band saw, shaper, and spindle sander all in one machine. Yeah, it takes some setup for each different use, But I am not using all those features at once, generally, and that all those features takes up no room than a bicycle and one cabinet leaves the majority of my shop space available to the things we do the most. Shopsmith is a tool built like the old 1950’s tools that are still coveted ( I do have a 1953 DeWalt 14” Radial arm saw that is 500lbs of iron ) Its way more reliable than the nearly disposable tools sold today.
Great story about your father, Christopher. Thanks for sharing.
Loved the video! I saw John's video first, and am glad I saw those as well for a little more reasonable perspective. New subscriber as a result! Keep up the good work! 😊
Thanks Benny! Welcome to the channel.
Ive seen both videos . Living in the UK , i was curious about this wonderfully put together machine . I love your passion , like your defending an old friend . I use my bandsaw loats of times as well as the table saw , but the table saw still scares me half to death . Its a grudging respect . For a 40 year old machine that is still desired tells me the designer did good !
Thanks for doing this! In addition to my ShopSmith I have a cabinet table saw and 12" throat bandsaw and the safety and quality of the ShopSmith easily as good as the stand-alone equipment. I've been using my ShopSmith exclusively for a few years (other equip is in storage) and don't really miss the larger equipment.
Great Randall, thanks for sharing the story.
Regarding safety, I think one of the key pieces for safety is flat out being human. Anyone who was injured probably went "that was stupid"... temporary cranial flatulence.
For Shopsmith, it's remembering to tighten down each piece of the assembly... stock, table carriage, table height, table tilt, quill. THAT can be easy to forget.
I'm also one that is REALLY apprehensive using the table tilt on the Shopsmith as gravity takes the offcut into the blade. If the offcut is large enough, you can use a sled system that will support the offcut after. Smaller pieces you often just have to, well... hope.
On the plus side, the miter gauge is by far the best from a safety standpoint. Show me another miter gauge that allows a piece to be supported both down and in with the gauge, keeping fingers well away from the operations. Add the push blocks, fence runner push tools, etc. and you have a great safety set at your finger tips.
Yes, it comes with a saw guard... but most saws do. I really wish more TH-camrs would actually USE them instead of removing them for the sake of "can't see the cut on video".
The table saw is my biggest fear. My issue with it is tilting the table is more dangerous than than a flat table when handling larger and heavier pieces of timber. The offcut is also more likely to fall into the blade and be shot backwards. The bandsaw is not too bad but cost to much. I do agree that it has a lot of versatility when it comes to sanding and the lathe looks as stable as any other entry level wood lathe I've used.
Thanks Tony. I agree, the requirement to tilt the table for bevel cuts or bevel rips is a real trade off. But it has to be part of the design to support the multi-functions. To mitigate some of the risk when ripping bevels, I rip close to the bevel with a flat table. So when ripping the final bevel I am removing only a small sliver of wood. I also stand to the side as shown in the video. When cross cutting there are a couple ways to support the off cut form sliding into the blade.
None of this is ideal, but helps a little with the real issue you raised.
Tony I have 2 model 510’s exactly like the one used in Malecki’s video and I have a craftsman table saw, radial arm saw, drill press, and much more. Every single one of them can be dangerous. The Shopsmith design probably isn’t the best tool for a compound miter cut. I use my Radial Arm Saw for that kind of work. That tool is considered more dangerous than all the rest of the tools combined. I find it to be the safest tool for that kind of operation.
It all goes back to the individual setting up the tool. Wood working is not for idiots like Malecki’s representation.
@@gregorytrim8428 if I had a really strong opinion on the matter I wouldn't have watched the whole video. I'm just saying that if any of my friends who I cared about want to go out and buy one of these. I'd makes sure they know the limitations up front. Now I'm putting a lot of emphasis on the tilting table but that's because all the jobs I tend to revolve around large pieces of timber or sheet goods. And in the end if they still want one then go right ahead.
I believe the notch on the output shaft is called a whistle notch. I am fairly certain that the miter gauge bar is 23/32, or. 71875. Thanks for the rebuttal video!
I think you're right on both points, thanks!
Great response. I agree, I think he was acting and after almost a million views on that video so far I would think that Shopsmith, the company, should take issue with their product being misrepresented and it's safety being brought into question and essentially butchered. We're not talking about a small TH-camr, this guy's opinion holds weight. I hope someone forwards the link to that video to Shopsmith. They need to see it because this much negative advertising has consequences for the people working at that company in trying to keep it in business. Why Malecki went after small US company I have no idea.
About your video, you asked if you missed anything... If I recall correctly my growth rings talked about how shopsmith was the leader or the inventor possibly in the bush stick and featherboard? I could be completely wrong but I swear I remember a video about that. So they've been safety focus for decades. So much so that other table saw users have some thanks to be passing around to them.
Hey, that is something I missed. Yes, Shopsmith did pioneer the plastic feather board. And their push blocks were very innovative at the time and to this day I have not seen one better.
... and maybe, since you mentioned it, should be that guy that sends Shopsmith the link?
I am late to this list, but I am glad you did such a nice rebuttal. I didn't finish John's video because it made me mad.
You're not late, Fred, seems like it's just getting started. Thanks for jumping in and supporting this video.
Have owned three & now Mark 7 (2hp)..Johns video maligned our machines and was a dangerous ‘How To’ video for new owners ! Your response was civilized and spot on… But, Shop Smith should take note and consider producing adjunct ‘Safety Videos ‘ with manuals now that traveling classes and live demonstrations have stopped…
Great point Eaton, I would love to see Shopsmith more engaged in customer training and social media. They did awesome in 20 years ago with Nick Engler's Hands-Online videos. But those need updated badly.
Thanks for taking the time to defend our honor!
You're welcome!
Ok, you said it’s ok to give constructive criticisms! I saw his video and was disgusted that he was acting like a clown! Your video is spot on, very informative, and well done! I bought a gentleman’s wood shop that had been setting for 22 years between a stroke and end of life. He had purchased every thing Shopsmith had sold back then. Including up to router and shaper setup and bits. Since included was a 12” radial arm saw, I don’t use the table saw much. I have made many bowls on it. With exception that it standardly turns a little fast at slow speed, it is great. BTW, the criticism was the first sentence. I just subscribed as this is the first video of yours I have ever seen. Thanks for showing the truth! Respectfully, Kevin
Awesome Kevin, welcome to the channel. Thanks for sharing you're experience. Have you looked into the Speed Reduce attachment? It's pricey, but reduce the spindle speed by a 7:1 ratio, so makes that 700 RPM low end speed 100 RPM. I don't have one but I hear people like it for bowl turning.
@@woodshopnerdery I bought an off brand kind of equal to the Mark 7 electronic kit. Have had some health issues so, I still need to break it down and rebuild it.
Great rundown on the Shopsmith & I agree with you 100% on your take of the guy who made that ridiculous video you referenced. Great job indeed.👍👏👏👏
Great Video. You are right with the lathe, it should be closer. Far out like that can cause trouble. He used a roughing gouge wrong when he made the cut too. Normally the lathe tools should be even to the tool rest, but the handle of the roughing gouge should have been on his hip. This is one thing about the shopsmith that has to be adjusted by the owner, lathe height. Then center of the quill/spindle should be in line with the center of your elbow when your ar, is bent at 90 degrees. That is how you find your lathe height. Please get this all confirmed as I am a rookie and the last lathe (non duplicator) operation I did was prepandemic.
Thanks Drew. Sounds right to me but I am also not much of a lathe expert.
Regarding the need for a jointer, if you work with rough cut lumber, a jointer is a necessary piece. You can use hand planes, router tables just not as convenient as a jointer.
Great point. Boy if I had the room I would get one of those Powermatic 60 series 8 inchers.
I was just saying to my girlfriend that somebody needs to push back against the big TH-cam channels. Many of them have no idea what they are doing yet viewers think they do. Great video. Thanks for making it.
Thanks Gary. That's my biggest concerns, students of woodworking pretending to be masters of woodworking. And the newbie not knowing the difference. I am a student of the craft and I try to make that clear in the way I make my videos.
@@woodshopnerdery you’ve likely forgotten more than the pretenders will ever know.
Great video and discussion of risk. I would only add that the SawStop may be the safest table saw on the market but can it drill holes? Disk sand? Function as a lathe?
Thanks Greg. Well we have seen the youtubers make a bowel using a table saw blade, but that sort of negates the safety aspect.
There are some genuine safety issues with the Shopsmith. These are the power coupler and lack of NVR with large emergency stop button. The issue with the power coupler is that you have a spinning part that clothing, hair etc. could get caught up in and drag you into the machine. I solved this with a 150mm/6" length silicone hose with an internal diameter 48mm/1⅞". It can be pushed onto the covering for the bushes on the headstock and keeps the exposed spinning thing safe. They are targeted at the automotive sector but does the job nicely. Pro tip in the UK at least you can get silicone hose adaptors from just about every dimension you can think of to every other dimension you can think of. They are IMHO fantastic for coupling random tools to your dust collection system.
The lack of No Voltage Release (NVR) with a large stop button is from a European perspective a significant safety issue.
I agree with everything said, but there are not unique to Shopsmith.
The catch hazard is a legitimate concern for most power tools made by all manufacturers such as Drill presses and Lathes.
The PowerPro headstock will not activate the motor on re-power after a voltage loss. It takes a person to input the motor function or speed.
I agree that the power button could use an update to the larger paddle, but many tools are still sold in the USA with the ShopFox-style safety toggle that is on the Shopsmith.
Watching a lot of Malecki videos, much of the focus is on the difficulties his team has in getting things done.
I see, that's interesting context. So it sounds like my suspicion that the entertainment value might "soitently" come from a "comedy of errors" approach, nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.
Thanks for a great response to the Malecki video. I found him to be sensationalist in his commentary. He never read anything of the manuals, or looked on line to figure out his mistakes. The fact that he didn’t know what a plywood blade was made me question his overall skills. My dad bought one brand new when I was a kid. He was a master woodworker. I inherited the machine over 20 years ago and it still ran like a top. Sadly, I lost all of my tools in a house fire a few months ago. My plan is to buy another Shopsmith when the time comes. The only dislike I have is that the table saw is too high for me. I am not a tall man, but I have built a lot of fine things over the years despite the height issue.
Sorry to hear about the house fire and loses. The Shopsmith is not perfect, no tool is. I agree about the plywood blade. Maybe he knew what it was but found it more important to make joke than preserve his credibility.
Sorry about the fire. I compensated for the table height by constructing a shallow box (SS length!) that I can stand on when in table saw mode.
Excellent, well informed video!
Thanks you!
Great response.
Thanks!
I worked in commercial printing and our presses that were worthy millions of dollars and ran a thousands of feet per minute were held together and adjusted with Allen screws. Most people that don't like them are the same as the people that don't like the Shopsmith their opinions aren't based on actual knowledge.
I have an old vii, I just got it running today and it works great.
I from the UK and while serving my apprenticeship as a carpenter / woodworking machinist found out through some survey carried out by the H.S.E that the machine that caused or the most accidents in a machine shop were on the band saw roll on 25 years later the most injuries in a machine shop are at the band saw , im not sure why maybe because its the least intimidating of all the machines
The saw blade you showed was one with a small arbor hole. Can you use them on the shopsmith or do you only use shopsmith blades?
Thanks Amanda, yes standard 5/8th inch arbor saw blades can be used on a Shopsmith. Although the standard arbor is 1.25 inches, a 5/8ths arbor is also available.
Good video..and good points. The power pro motor is awesome and a pleasure to use. Best money spent. How do you like the upgraded fence rails with the adjustable rip scale?
Thank you! Yes, I'm loving the rip scale. Sort of a hidden gem in the feature list, but once I started using it, I realized how amazing it is.
Hey Tom, good video very well thought out , almost the opposite of Jon’s video. Lol.
Thanks Chris, I appreciate the support.
My father in law purchased the shopsmith on retirement in his 50's he will turn 95 this Jan and the machine runs like brand new. I'm a tad lazy so set up could take all day. That's on me I can when motivated get it done quickly. I'm well satisfied.
That's great James, the family connection is just not something Amazon can ship in a box! What a treasure.
I have enjoyed this particular video so much!!! I actually saw his video earlier today.
That poor man doesn't need to be running SHARP woodworking equipment!! I wouldn't trust him on an electric pencil sharpener!!!!
😄😁😆😅🤣😂
Great response!
Thanks Jim.
Thanks Tom. Well donel.
You're welcome Dennis, thanks!
Interesting video. I don’t own a shopsmith, never even seen one in person. I probably won’t buy one in the future. I have been woodworking for a while, and I wanted to chime in on your comments. 1) Every tool, plug in, battery, hand, can be dangerous if you do not read the manuals. 2) every shop grade power tool will need to be set up properly, I own 2 sawstop saws and both needed setting up out of the box. Maintaining proper setup of shop tools is something everyone ought to do regularly, not just out of the box. 3) if you can’t figure out how to set it up, put it back in the box and return it, don’t risk unsafe poorly setup tools. 4) I have friends who use a shopsmith, they have all their fingers. They get by just fine with their system, because their limited space if better utilized by such a machine. 5) I AM envious of the horizontal boring ability of the shopsmith mark 7. That’s one thing I currently don’t have the ability to do. 6) thanks for your informative video, your observations make a lot of sense… I did see that other video you refer to and thought it was poorly done, any woodworking information channel ought to know and understand the importance of reading and following instructions properly. Safety is in there.
I agree with all your points, Jon. Thanks for sharing you knowledge.
Well done. Not a Shop Smith owner and I watched John's video. I agree with your assessment. He was probably looking for something to make a click baity video and Shopsmith was the victim.
Thanks Pedro!
i bought my mark 5 for 40 bucks at estate auction 2 years ago
and i love it
Good review.
Thanks Brad!
I’ve not seen a tool like this in the U.K. Tom but in my opinion the most dangerous tool in the workshop is the user all tools are inherently dangerous but the user is the worst great vid
Thanks Phil!
How do you "lose" your miter gauge?
I was taking my gauge for a walk in the park and the leash broke and it ran over a hill.
Good job Tom. Although I know it ate into your time from the next step in your Hans Wenger chair. Watching your video and Scott Markwood's saves me from wasting time watching a click bait curiosity draw.
Thanks Daniel. Yes, I spent a lot of time to put this together. But from all the comments everyone really appreciates it.
See Shopsmith tools in action - Short Clips!
Table Saw - Bevel Cuts
th-cam.com/users/clipUgkxuCHbt89RF-IkzyOooRuFkEIHsx5cTA41
Table Saw Dado Stack Rabbets
th-cam.com/users/clipUgkx15vLNGBaV7Co1Dl9Z2t2H8Q8hSBWEmwg
Table Saw Odd Shapes
th-cam.com/users/clipUgkx6RumOZEb8gib7dUQTxNImByfxzG6Jttb
Table Saw Tenons
th-cam.com/users/clipUgkx9us_XdzeQYtUM6PUkcZBjQ53exaCnMfu
Bandsaw
th-cam.com/users/clipUgkxn6OnndG7HFo_BKa9SfwMFJUB6eDB6N1b
Jointer
th-cam.com/users/clipUgkxrNyoL19ZHim16X-rAvefHJSiZf6J9R5S
Drill Press
th-cam.com/users/clipUgkx9TMcjojers81jBCD6w4PSD95LmrjAg-z
Horizontal Boring
th-cam.com/users/clipUgkxbBV-wwovMTZAbSk3S_nqsJd7aN_zgt3z
Under Table Routing
th-cam.com/users/clipUgkxUtKLWE8g91NJdYPS3m_KVpZmUjYKinHC
Overhead Shaping
th-cam.com/users/clipUgkxtk22M5_jyVD4CO934PvhWZJtSviC2G84
Thickness Planner
th-cam.com/users/clipUgkxXEo8qqTFoRkRM36FiQ2HNkbmE250qWxw
Great video today. You never disappoint.
Thanks Dale.
There are many people on TH-cam with tons of talent and content worth sharing on the internet. John Malecki is not one of them.
Thanks so much Tom! I saw you at the 75th anniversary. How do I locate your videos to watch and learn from you!
Thanks again!
Dick
Well done, my friend
Thank you Peter!
Well done.
Thanks, Dave!
10:26 ; 11:48-> notice the jointer bed move as he put pressure on it… a solid jointer (floor or bench model securely planted) would probably not do that… but then again, maybe some tightening would suffice
You’re right it did move. I did not have the jointer fully installed because I was not going to power it on. To fully install I would need to lock the the handle below and install the power coupler. But even fully installed it has some trade-off do to being a multipurpose system.
As you said a dedicated floor mounted unit would be more solid. If I were a pro in a big shop I would love an 8 incher!
Love the thumbnail 😂
Me too, Thanks!
Very good video, I would add that Shopsmith has always been innovative in regards to safety. In fact, they have developed and implemented safety tooling and more related information, training etc., than any other tool maker that I can think of. That other fellow disappointed me to the point I’ll never trust his opinion on anything.
Great point, Shopsmith is more than a tool. It is a system of supporting services, education, and community.
The lathe and table saw could be slightly out preformed by stand alone's but the boring machine and drill press no way. How many drill press do you see with variable speed much less a two post mount that does not let the table rotate out from under it and the table can be tilted as well as the fence and miter gauge can be locked to it to drill compound angles. I made a nice little bar stool out of some old 2x4's I had lying around. the leds are 1.5 in square and they taper in from about a foot wide at the bottom to 6 inches at the top. I used the tilt on the table and my mortising set to cut the mortise for the tenons all at the same angle I needed without trying to place a wedge under my work. It is the strongest little stool to and not one nail in it anyplace. The disk sander is way better than anything you will find elsewhere. You can make a compound cut on the saw not change anything but to the disk sander and now sand that exact angle. Not a close angle but the same exact. Then the table saw other than having to bevel the table and not the blade is a really great saw. I like the height of the table saw too as I have a bad back and it kills me to lean over all day. My only complaint about the lathe is it needs to turn down a bit slower for larger object. But replacing all these machines would be very expensive at retail. Just look at SS is a victim of their own success. You can pick up a decent 510 or 520 with a jointer and bandsaw for less than $800. I love theses machines!
Thanks to! Great video. You have a new subscriber
Glad you liked it, welcome to the channel!
I appreciate you setting the record straight on Johns video, however I don't think he is worried about the criticisms. I suspect his rough treatment of the Shopsmith had more do to with driving views than giving the tool a fair shake. I also suspect that all of us that went to his video to comment on it, have given him exactly what he was looking for. I have commented on videos of yours in the past because I appreciate how detail oriented you are, and John is apparently nothing like that. I've simply vowed not watch his channel and to stick with watching people who don't seem focused on producing content for the likes and views.
Me too, once a channel gets a bunch of merch and sponsors and ads, I lose interest. I don't mind some commercial activity of course, but I've noticed the true masters of the craft like Rob Cosman, Paul Sellers, Nick Engler, and Sean ? (wortheffort) seem to do okay without gimmicks.
Nice video Tom. But I had to cringe when you recommended the bandsaw as the safest power tool. Only because in my high school shop class, the teacher's assistant ran his hand right through one in front of me. They fixed him up nice tho :)
Thanks Geoffrey. For sure that's difficult memory to leave behind.
It may not be the compliment section, but I'll leave one anyway: Brilliant!
I don't own nor want a Shopsmith; however, it was pretty clear John was deliberately tanking the tool. He acknowledged that every function worked fine, yet condemned the tool to the dumpster.
It may be okay to draw views to one's channel in order to feed the algorithm and sell t-shirts. However, it is not okay to do so by impugning the reputation of an otherwise respected company's product.
Between the responses from you and Markwood I would say John's video has been thoroughly scorched. I would love to see one from The Workshop Companion. IMO, Nick is one of the most brilliant minds in woodworking.
Thanks for the compliment and I totally agree with you. Despite the large number of people pretending to be masters of the craft on TH-cam, there are actually very few. And Nick Engler is one of them. BTW I consider myself a student of the craft and try to behave that way in my videos.
Nice rebuttal to johns video. The only thing you did not cover was his complaint about the spinning spt connector. Im surprised ss did not invent a cover hthat attaches to the spt that wraps arround the plastic connector.
Thank you. You're right, I should have talked about the coupler. At least Scott Markwood covered it in his response.
Hey Tom, im trying to sell my Shopsmith Mark V but not having any luck on FB marketplace or Offerup. Any advice?
Jointer, square. Not really look closer its out a min or so. The bottom has a slight gap. Also depends how true your squar is.
The light you are seeing is from under the fence, not between the fence and the square. Also, how square the Incra Gauranteed Square is happens to be irrelevant to the point I made. The point is I set the fence months ago using the Incra Square and the fence retained that same setting.
Dude, I don't own a Shopsmith and I didn't watch Malecki's video (and I'm not going to give it a view now). But I can tell you know your stuff. Good video.
Well said!
Amen.
I couldn’t watch John’s video to the end, clowning around power tools is no joke. I don’t care if he intentionally was joking or not you don’t play with power tools. My high school shop teacher back in ‘68 would have kicked him in the @$$ and out of the class. Thanks for straightening him out.
It was a hard watch for sure. Thanks for the support!
Excellent commentary about the fool who made the "unsafe" video. The only thing I think you should have added is a statement about how stupid the guy was to try and make a miter cut with the blade fully exposed on the side of the table and with the saw guard missing. How can anyone take that guy seriously?
Nice job Tom, as always opinion based on facts and common sense.
Thanks James, I've been amazed how far I can get with common sense. Has it become a lost art?
Ive bought 100% of my large power tools used and none have came with any manuals i was pretty surprised that it came with his.
Sometimes I get a manual and sometimes I don't. When I don't get the manual I go to Shopsmith's web site or on the the community groups and down load it. Same for other brands too.
Funny as hell thumbnail
Thanks, I was hoping someone would like the thumbnail.
I can't recommend nor would I want to recommend people not using their saw guards. But that said I do admit I run my shopsmith without them a lot of the times. The bottom one as far as I am concerned is more for dust collection than anything. Just as you was talking of reducing the risk by things you do. I simply never adjust my table when the machine is on and I never am going to have my hand under the table for anything else. Now that said If i am using the riving knife I am going to have the bottom one on because they fasten together. I use the 5 finger rule. If I can spread my fingers and thumb out and touch the blade and fence (not with the machine on) then I am going to use push blocks or push stick. As far as the top guard goes I learned on a really old 1980 Shopsmith when I was a kid. I was using a shopsmith at age 8. Not the table saw... but by age 10 I was. Those old machines it was even more clunky and it was aluminum and not clear and maybe I was taught by bad example. Now I do use the riving knife sometimes especially ripping thicker boards. But I am 48 my dad is 76 or 77 and we still have all of our fingers. I always wrap my ring finger and pinky around the fence and push with my thumb when using my hands in case the board was to kick or do something dumb my hand it anord to the fence. But I grew up without bicycle helmets and knee pads too.
How do you like the power pro? Do you ever use it on 220V?
Hi Jeremy, yes I do like the PowerPro headstock. I have not made the 220v conversion yet. I would have to run a 220 line in the garage. Haven’t really felt the need for it. Honestly I felt my 510 mechanical headstock had plenty of power as well. But then again I’ve been accused of having slow feed rates.
@@woodshopnerdery Well the part that attracts me to it is the fact it turn down to less than a few 100 RPM. Great if turning something large and out of round. then it turns up to 10,000 for shaping. Also the mark 7 will tip so the head is under the table And under table shaping is way safer than overhead. I know they make the speed reducer for turning and increaser for under table shaping. The speed increaser is 100% trash. One of the only shopsmith things I will say that about. Then when sanding it is nice to be able to reverse the machine too. Thanks for reply
Tom, my man!
Right on, Right on!
I would agree that you can use a Shopsmith (or other tool) safely by adopting procedures that bring the likelihood of an accident very low.
But I think when someone says a tool is safe, what they often seem to mean is for an untrained person to use.
That may not be an important metric in a real working shop, but it is if you don't read the manuals you need to read.
I'm with you Alan. Most tools pose several hazards that can only be partially mitigated. And therefore none of them are not completely safe. There is only more safe or less safe.
gah another shopsmith lover
Well done!
I almost think you were to nice.
Thank you for being so professional in your rebuttal of John Malecki’s severe misinformation video.
I have unsubscribed from his channel.
Thanks Gregory. What you saw was about 1/3rd of the footage I shot. I am very frustrated by the video, but I left in on the cutting room floor, as they say. I prefer that my love of woodworking come to the front and center.