Pawn Stars buys a Shopsmith

[John Fabre]

On July 25th, shown on the History channel, Pawn Stars buying a 1950 Shopsmith. I like to see if they even know what one is.

[Eric McCune]

I'm sure they have a "buddy" that's an expert. Chum lee will pretend to cut off his fingers. The old man will complain they paid too much.

[Dan Hintz]

Yeah, I like to see some of the stuff that comes in... but they're always deferring to other people, old man is always complaining, and Chum is a complete halfwit.

[Bob Winkler]

Yeah, but I sure am entertained and learn something most of the time.

[scott spencer]

... old man is always complaining, and Chum is a complete halfwit.

....sounds like the same format that Orange County Choppers used.

So what do you suppose a 1950 Shopsmith is worth?

[Bill Huber]

The expert will say its worth $1500 in like new condition at action.
So I am sure the seller wanted $1500 and then they will say that's not going to happen an buy it for $200.

[Matt Meiser]

Chum is a complete halfwit.

Half is awfully generous.

[Jerome Stanek]

I just hate how Rick always laughs and says that ain't going to happen

[Mark Conde]

Why anyone would would try to unload goods at a pawn shop is beyond me. You would have better luck on Ebay or even Craig's List.

[Dan Hintz]

Why anyone would would try to unload goods at a pawn shop is beyond me. You would have better luck on Ebay or even Craig's List.
Because I'm sure you'll make top dollar selling a letter signed by President Kennedy on Craigslist...

[Jeff Nicol]

A pawn shop is instant cash and you can either pawn it for a loan or sell it outright for a done deal. You may get more money on the direct sale or you can take a little of the worth or the max the pawn shop will give you on a loan. E-bay and craigslist may take you a long time when you need some cash to buy a new water heater or food for the kids.

You all have to remember it is a show on TV, so you can be sure that 90% of it is scripted and planned so that the guys can be handy for the expert consults and to make sure that nothing is illegal or the customers who don't want to be on the show are not involved. This is not a "Real" Reality show, because it would have to be all hidden cameras to get the real truth. If you watch the other one that takes place in Detroit, you know it is all scripted and planned out, because if there is that many morons that come in, it would be hard to stay in business or not punch someone in the head!

Fun and entertainment with a little truth and information tossed in for good measure!

Jeff

[Chris Fournier]

Why anyone would would try to unload goods at a pawn shop is beyond me. You would have better luck on Ebay or even Craig's List.

Smoke Crack and you'll have no troubles selling "your goods" to a pawn shop. In fact it will all make perfect sense and you will start to sell "other's goods" at the pawn shop.

[Eric McCune]

Why anyone would would try to unload goods at a pawn shop is beyond me. You would have better luck on Ebay or even Craig's List.

To sell online, you have to spell, or try to spell, words.

[Joe Adams]

You mean like the "Sherock Lefter" I saw in the tool section of Craigslist the other day. The seller meant Sheetrock Lifter but it turned out to be a drywall cart rather than a panel hoist. Don't even get me started about all the "radio arm saw" (aka radial arm saw) and "saw-saw" (aka Sawzall) ads.

[Karl Card]

Smoke Crack and you'll have no troubles selling "your goods" to a pawn shop. In fact it will all make perfect sense and you will start to sell "other's goods" at the pawn shop.


So well put and so true... I needed a good laugh and this thread has just done that... I gotta say though that I get a bigger kick out of Pawn Stars than OCC... OCC just drives me out of my mind, sort of like 2 girls just argueing all the time..

[Mike Schuch]

Isn't the show based in LasVegas???? Wouldn't that mean that most of the poor saps coming in there have gambled their paycheck away and need the instant cash to cover their expenses when they reach home and have to face their spouse?

I think you are confusing the crack heads at your local pawn shops with the saps that give all their money to the casinos.

P.S. I have seen 1950's shopsmiths on the local CL for $100... and still could not find a reason to buy it... and with the amount of time it spent on there obviously nobody else could either!

[Jim Heffner]

The best part of "Pawn Stars" show has been the "Ric's Restorations" with Ric Dale. I really like the work they do on some really old junk that people want to have restored and are willing to
pay big money to have done! He is a good businessman, good restorer, and really believes
in doing a quality restoration from basically nothing but trash!

[John Fabre]

The best part of "Pawn Stars" show has been the "Ric's Restorations" with Ric Dale. I really like the work they do on some really old junk that people want to have restored and are willing to
pay big money to have done! He is a good businessman, good restorer, and really believes
in doing a quality restoration from basically nothing but trash!
Jim, there's a show called American Restoration with Rick Dale on the History channel.

[Bill Huber]

The best part of "Pawn Stars" show has been the "Ric's Restorations" with Ric Dale. I really like the work they do on some really old junk that people want to have restored and are willing to
pay big money to have done! He is a good businessman, good restorer, and really believes
in doing a quality restoration from basically nothing but trash!

They just did a 3 show deal, Am Pickers found a 57 chevy, the Rix's Restorations did a restore on it and then the finished it up with Rick on Pawn Stars giving it to his dad, all show ran one after the other.

[John Fabre]

They just did a 3 show deal, Am Pickers found a 57 chevy, the Rix's Restorations did a restore on it and then the finished it up with Rick on Pawn Stars giving it to his dad, all show ran one after the other.
Good show called The Pick, the Pawn & the Polish

[Greg Portland]

You all have to remember it is a show on TV, so you can be sure that 90% of it is scripted and planned so that the guys can be handy for the expert consults and to make sure that nothing is illegal or the customers who don't want to be on the show are not involved.One of my friends knows someone on the production crew. The "shop" that you see on TV is blocked off from regular patrons when they are filming and there is a line around the block for the privilege of walking through the store. The production team + some of Rick's employees screen the goods in the off-camera shop to determine what makes the show. The 4 main characters are only in the store on days that they're filming (1-2 days a week).

IMO, people bring in these higher end items because they want to be on TV or are looking for a free appraisal. Chum is pretty quick with his jokes... IMO most of his schtick is for the cameras or for patrons who think they can fool him into a bad deal.

[Jeremy Milam]

And for those of us who only watch Pickers and didn't know it was a 3 part series I taped the second a few days later after seeing that it continued, then realized after watching that that it continued to a 3rd show....thankfully they repeated it enough for me to catch all three shows:)

[Dan Hintz]

The 4 main characters are only in the store on days that they're filming (1-2 days a week).
That's common... Mike Holmes of "Holmes on Homes" is now only on set for an hour or two a couple of times per week so they can tape the segments for TV, but the rest of the time he's off building his new empire. Not knocking the guy, I think he really cares about helping people, but the show gives you the impression he's always around doing something, but it couldn't be farther form the truth. The last few shows I watched (it has been a few months, at least) it was becoming obvious he was grooming one of his more experienced workers (a conscientious guy, too, thankfully... but not his son) to take over the initial inspection and overall design process. His daughters do a lot of behind the scenes work for him (and at least one is not too hard on the eyes, either :)).

[David Nelson1]

They just did a 3 show deal, Am Pickers found a 57 chevy, the Rix's Restorations did a restore on it and then the finished it up with Rick on Pawn Stars giving it to his dad, all show ran one after the other.

Ahah, That's what was going on when they where looking for a 57 Chevy. Didn't see the other 2 shows.

[Roy Turbett]

I have one of Norm's early NYWS books and it shows him using an older shopsmith as a drillpress. I used to have one and it was very well made. Paid $450 for it. Sold it for $450.

[John Fabre]

I have one of Norm's early NYWS books and it shows him using an older shopsmith as a drillpress. I used to have one and it was very well made. Paid $450 for it. Sold it for $450.
Is the older one tan in color, there's one listed local in excellent shape for $150.00, sounds like a good deal.

[Jerome Stanek]

last time I was in Vagas I went to their shop. It is smaller than it looks and the prices are way to high.

[Dave Lehnert]

Just a reminder, The show is on tonight,

[Kevin W Johnson]

last time I was in Vegas I went to their shop. It is smaller than it looks and the prices are way to high.

That accurately describes all the pawn shops I've ever been in.

[Charles Lent]

$150 is what the 1950 Shopsmith model 10ER sold for new in 1950.

They weren't made by the present Shopsmith company, and the new company that manufactures the Shopsmith today carries no parts nor provides any information for original 10ER model. I have owned one of these for about 30 years, but use it very little. The model 10ER has several design problems that were never corrected, since the manufacturer of this first model (Magnus tool) went out of business only a few years after putting it on the market. They sold the design to the new Shopsmith company, who then completely re-designed it before putting the present day Shopsmith design on the market. Most notable of the problems with the model 10ER is the brake mechanism that locks each assembly in place on the rails. They are round cast aluminum pieces with curved bottoms that are tightened against the front steel rail to keep the head, tool rest, and spindle from moving. These original brakes do a terrible job. I replaced mine ones that were custom made of brass, and this one fix has made the brakes work properly, and my 10ER somewhat usable.

The table saw feature is a complete design after thought, in my opinion, and is extremely dangerous. It has a hand crank table lift that requires reaching under the saw blade to raise and lower (the table, not the blade) and you have to tilt the table, not the blade, to make a bevel cut. There are no blade guards below the table, so the blade is totally exposed and reaching under the table with the tool running would be a disaster. I installed this saw feature only once, and before I even ran it I decided that I would rather use a hand saw than risk life and limb by using it. In my opinion, the Shopsmith model 10ER makes a fair beginners lathe, a usable drill press (after the brake modification), a somewhat usable (but not very accurate) horizontal boring machine, and an extremely inadequate and dangerous shaper that doesn't turn at anywhere near the proper speed to cut wood cleanly or safely. The only thing that I ever use my 10ER for anymore is a lathe, and if I needed to make more than a few turnings a year I would replace it with real lathe and send this whole thing to the scrap heap.

Charley

[Jim Rimmer]

I watched it last night - the machine was in pretty rough shape but maybe restorable by someone into that type of thing. Rick knew what he was doing and didn't want it due to the size and condition. The dopey old man wanted it because he thought it was nostalgic. The owner was ready to kick it to the curb just to get it out of his garage - he ended up getting $50 and someone else to haul it away.

[Aaron Berk]

I bought a ShopSmith for $50 off of a local guy a few yrs back.

I played with it for a few months and then sold it for $350 on CL :D

[Cary Falk]

People out here seem to think the are worth $1200 out here.

[Steve H Graham]

Chum is a genius. You people just don't appreciate his brilliance.

[Greg Peterson]

People out here seem to think the are worth $1200 out here.

Actually, there's one on CL right now. Has all the bells and whistles. Only asking $2,500. Was $3,999!

Partial description:

1. Shopsmith Bandsaw ($544.99 new) that includes the Vacuum dust exhaust hole, retro fit table kit ($246.59 new) , Aluminum table, Guide fence, circle cutting attachment, both manuals, and extra blades.

2. Shopsmith 12" Planer (1199.99 new) with Variable feed control, Separate feed motor won't rob cutterhead power, Large 12-inch x 4-inch capacity handles big lumber, 28-inch long Table,

3. Shopsmith Scroll saw (699.99 new) with blade

4. Shopsmith 6" x 48" belt sander ($429.99 new) with 6" x 9" Support Table, Automatic Belt Tensioning and Tracking, Free-Running Belt on Back Side, Built-In Dust Collection Port, new 80 grit belt, new 120 grit belt,

5. Shopsmith 4" jointer ($489.99 new) with blade guard.

6. Shopsmith 510 extension table kit ( $289.14 new)

Amazing!

[Charles Lent]

You guys are missing the point. The Shopsmith MODEL 10ER is NOT THE SAME as the newer Shopsmith tools. It wasn't even made by the same company. All of the Shopsmith tools produced AFTER the new Shopsmith company took over are much better quality than the model 10ER that the OP and I were commenting on. Other than the basic multi-tool concept, the model 10ER is nothing like the newer Shopsmith tools.

The tool seen on Pawn Stars was one of these very early Shopsmith 10ER tools and NOT one of the newer, better made and more valuable models of Shopsmiths.

Charley

[John Fabre]

Rick was right, I would have walked away too, even at $50.00 knowing now that the 10ER is unsafe junk.

[Alan Schaffter]

I bought a Shopsmith in 1976 and sold it almost 20 years later for $1300! The buyer saw a SS demo at the local mall and decided he had to have one. He hadn't really searched on Ebay or the classifieds before he saw my ad, and new ones were going for $3000 by then. I think I did well.

[Myk Rian]

That accurately describes all the pawn shops I've ever been in.
We have a shop down the road. I went in looking for a recip saw. $120 for a beat up POS was their cheapest. I walked out.

[Dave Lehnert]

The old company Magna America that made the 10e and 10 er also manufactured the Mark V we know of today. They went out of business and John Folkerth purchased the tooling to make the Mark V in Dayton Ohio early to mid 1970's under the name Shopsmith inc. . John Folkerth passed away about two years ago. His son now runs the company under the name RLF Shop.

I took a tour of the factory and they have modified 10ER's built in the 50's used in manufacturing the Mark V's today.

Link below of some history if interested.





http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/toolhistory.htm

[Jason Roehl]

We have a shop down the road. I went in looking for a recip saw. $120 for a beat up POS was their cheapest. I walked out.

In some of our local pawn shops, I have seen pneumatic roofing nailers (for example) that looked like they had been dragged behind a truck for 100 miles priced HIGHER than the exact same model (I checked model #s) of nailer would be new at a retail store. I rarely go in there, and I can't remember the last time I bought something there.

[Cliff Furman]

Isn't the show based in LasVegas???? Wouldn't that mean that most of the poor saps coming in there have gambled their paycheck away and need the instant cash to cover their expenses when they reach home and have to face their spouse?

I think you are confusing the crack heads at your local pawn shops with the saps that give all their money to the casinos.

P.S. I have seen 1950's shopsmiths on the local CL for $100... and still could not find a reason to buy it... and with the amount of time it spent on there obviously nobody else could either!

If I had a lathe, drill press, and table saw, I wouldn't buy one for $100 either.
I bought one in 1975, for $100, and still have it. I now have all individual tools, but don't have a lathe, of 12" disc sander, which is why I keep the shop smith.
It's not the best lathe, but gets the occasional turning done.
Of course, there's the ability to drill a hole in the end of a 8' long post!
If you never had one, you wouldn't appreciate them.

[Jim Heffner]

I saw that episode the other night...what a sham! Practically stole that Shopsmith machine.I'm surprised that they didn't call in Rick Dale for his opinion and see what he would say as to it's restoration. As to Chum....a real halfwit for sure, I always heard that
"chum" is bait for shark fishermen...go figure that one!

[Steve H Graham]

Chum is a true renaissance man. One day he will probably rule the planet.

If there's one thing that bugs me about Pawn Stars, it's the way they rave about Gibson instruments. Anyone who knows guitars knows Gibsons are nothing special, but Rick sweats audibly when one hits the counter. I remember him talking about the greatness of a 70s Les Paul. Guitars from that decade have a bad reputation.

Another annoyance: the expert says high-end retail for some doodad is a thousand dollars. Rick says, "What'll you take for it?" Customer says, "A thousand dollars."

[Kevin Gregoire]

i cant believe how many stupid people there are in vegas! this show really chaps my *&^%#@*
who would take an antique to a pawn shop? if they are that stupid, they deserve to get screwed over!
so many people lose so much money taking it to these morons (cept the guy selling chumlee that fake guitar the other night)
instead of taking there stuff to a proper dealer or auction house.

this show has to be fake cause no boss on the planet would keep a dumb SOB like chumlee as an employee!
the only thing i do like about the show is it seems rick is fairly knowledgeable about stuff.