Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 (Tek) 9/28/84 based on 9/17/84; site tekchips.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!prls!amdimage!amdcad!amd!pesnta!hplabs!tektronix!tekcrl!tekchips!toma From: toma@tekchips.UUCP (Tom Almy) Newsgroups: net.rec.wood Subject: Re: Shopsmith versus Master Woodcraft 5 in 1 Message-ID: <124@tekchips.UUCP> Date: Mon, 19-Aug-85 17:18:29 EDT Article-I.D.: tekchips.124 Posted: Mon Aug 19 17:18:29 1985 Date-Received: Fri, 23-Aug-85 08:07:24 EDT References: <134@well.UUCP> Reply-To: toma@tekchips.UUCP (Tom Almy) Distribution: net.rec.wood Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR Lines: 25 In article <134@well.UUCP> elliot@well.UUCP (Elliot Fabric) writes: > >I just found this conference. Propitious timing. Am about to plunge >for either: > 1) Shopsmith V ... > 2) A radial arm saw, probably Sears, plus a jointer. > 3) A Shopsmith knockoff, like Master Woodcrafts 5 in 1... > MW claims cast iron table, more horsepower, and an automatic > brake as improvements... A saw a Shopsmith knockoff in a store before I ever saw a Shopsmith (which I bought within a few weeks after seeing). The knockoff (brand I cannot remember) did have at least the cast iron table but it also had a lousy paint job and poor metal finishing (rough castings). Just not very well made. The ripoffs are all imported from cheap-labor factories in the orient (NOT Japan). While a brake would be nice, I have never felt the need for more horsepower in my Mark V. I think that you get what you pay for. (I wonder if you can mount the MW table on a Shopsmith?) Radial Arm saws are nice (I have one as well), especially for cross cutting, which the Shopsmith doesn't do very conveniently. But the things must be the most dangerous tool in the shop. I feel more comfortable using a table saw, especially with molding heads or dadoes.