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Shopsmith 10E & 10ER (This was the first 5-in-One Shopsmith tool) For Sale

First off it’s important to know that the ShopSmith brand name has passed through several hands since it was originally attached to a machine conceived by a German immigrant to the US in the late 1940’s. Hans Goldschmidt invented the first ShopSmith tool, a 5-in-1 woodworking tool that met the demands of the burgeoning new DIY market in the USA. During and immediately after WWII many Americans who had learned new trade skills and who were becoming homeowners in record numbers were looking for outlets for their new skills and to add value to their new investment. These two factors combined to create an unprecedented need for compact and affordable woodworking tools, which is just what Mr. Goldschmidt had invented. (Hans is one of a short list of personal hero's of mine. The list also includes Ron Popeil. I know, I'm a nerd.)

The first ShopSmith tool was the famous 10ER, which combined a Table Saw, a Lathe, a Drill Press, a Disc Sander and a Horizontal Boring Machine into a single tool that took up about the same floor space in the garage as a bicycle. (The photo above shows Edgar Bergen, Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd with their Shopsmith 10er.) The 10er was sold under the ShopSmith nameplate, but it was manufactured by Mr. Goldschmidt’s company Magna Engineering Corp. of San Diego, CA. Magna sold the 10ER with much success, but never being satisfied Mr. Goldschmidt was determined to improve his popular tool. (See the Mark V way, way above)

2 comments:

  1. Where can I find scrowll saw blades for my 10er????//

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  2. Luckily that's an easy one! Your saw will work with any 5" plain-end scroll saw or jigsaw blade but you'll want to look for blades that are 1/4" or wider or you'll find that your saw is a blade-breaking machine! I've found them at Sears, some old-school hardware stores and Harbor Freight. You can buy pin-end blades and easily press out the pins. You can also resort to using a bandsaw blade. They snap off cleanly when bent, and in a pinch I've used them to great effect.

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