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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.