Shopsmith

==========================================================

The differences between the 500,510, and 520 are upgrades to the basic

500. It included better fences and rails, but I don't recall any upgrades to the lathe function till lately, when they did improve the tool rest. I had a 500 upgraded to 510 and I upgraded to the 520 before I sold it. I you are looking at it for primarily lathe work, I would put my money somewhere else. The weight difference between them is negligible. The height is NOT adjustable, either.

Just MHO.

The Other Bruce

There several here that have Shopsmiths. I myself have an old 10ER (year

1949) which won't help much in your decision making. However I do have some advice. If you do much turning it problably will be too low for you. I remedy this by setting each end of mine on a regular 8" concrete block. IIRC you are looking for a height of a little below the elbow. Obviously you have to remove these to use the tablesaw etc. The SS variable speed is nice cuz you don't have to change belts to change speed. Seems to be ample accessories available on ebay etc. for the newer machines. Have fun. Good Luck Lyndell

Weight is not an issue. Rigidity is an issue. Weight distribution might be an issue.

Whether the weight is in the tool, on the tool, or attached to the bottom by bolts, Newton counts it in determining inertia. If the bed bars flex under the rest and the head remains firm - 'nother thing.

So long as you confine your turning to things such as you would turn on any other light-duty lathe, shouldn't be a big problem to turn on a SS. As to variable speed, the less time you spend fussing with the dial the more you can spend on turning. A smooth cut doesn't care at what speed the lathe is turning. A rough one might produce a narrower chatter pattern at higher. Back to rigid, only this time the piece plays.

I have a "mark V 500", as far as I can tell... Bought it new in 1980 and have never regretted it..

The higher the number, (510, 520, etc.), the more upgrades it will have.. bigger and more tables, cranks instead of the clunky handles, etc..

AFAIK, the basic frame, motor, and rails are the same, as is the reeves drive..

Used is the way to go, for sure.. the higher the model number and the more accessories that come with it, the better.. Mac

I bought my 510 in 1986 and have used it extensively for lathe turning (bowls--both segmented and natural). I have turned approximately 50 bowls ranging in diameter from about 11 inches down to 3-4 inches. I am six feet tall and it would be nice if the unit were 6" or so higher, I really have no particular difficulty. When I get to finishing the inside of bowls, I often do move the bowl to the far right side of the unit and sit on a stool while doing the interior work. I did all my turning with faceplates until I purchased a OneWay Stronghold chuck (including the appropriate Jumbo Jaws for finishing the bottoms. I still do use the faceplates at times. I use primarily Crown HSS tools as well as a Stronghold Termite. I wouldn't buy a Shopsmith if I only wanted it for turning but as a multipurpose tool it is very good with very good product support from the manufacturer.

Bob.. I'm about your height, (was 6' 2" but some settling of contents), and when I was doing a lot of turning on the shopsmith I'd raise the ends and put a 4x4 under them.. makes it nice and stable because the legs just seem made for a 4x4, and it gets it up a little.. YMMV

Mac