Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - Is a Shopsmith worth it?

I saw a shopsmith demonstration in a mall and of course it looked good. My question to all of you wood workers out there, is a shopsmith worth it? Please give me any tips and advice you can.

Ritchie

Norm Abrams used to use one.

It is a great tool form folks with little or no room. It is a great all-purpose shop tool.

I'd like to own one.

I was given a very old model shopsmith from my grandfather and I have put it to good use. This model has a motor with variable speed belt that has to be manually changed. The newer ones are much simpler to use and component changes can be done a lot quicker. Sure saves on space.

Brennum

As a past owner of a ShopSmith I have nothing but praise for the utility of the unit. At the time I didn't have a basement in my home and the unit stored nicely in the garage out of the way. But where can you get a table saw, drill press, lathe, horizontal boring machine, disk/drum sander,etc, to store in the space of a bicycle?? :) I also had the attachments for the band saw, jointer, and belt sander. (Got a real "deal" from the son of an old wood hobbiest after he passed away). I used it for so many projects over the years, until I got enough room to get individual tools to replace most of the uses. I sold it to a guy I worked a few jobs with and he still uses it!

Hi All,

I'm just wondering!!! I've thought about buying my husband one as a gift, but is it a hassle, or does it take a lot of time to switch from one tool to the next?

We've seen it demonstrated, and he walked away!

Gami