I bought a Mark V five years ago when I decided to undertake a complete refit of a 1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 motor yacht. Since I don't have a shed big enough to fit the boat, the boat itself ends up being the workshop space. I decided on the Shop Smith because it packs so many essential tools into one footprint.
We've been working to get the exterior painted for the last year; there's not much need for a Shop Smith for mixing and applying epoxy fairing compound or longboarding primer. But with the paint work finally done, I'm transitioning to interior and other work where I'll be using the Shop Smith more. I thought I might post updates here when I write articles in my blog on the refit having to do with the Shop Smith.
A few months back I used the Mark V to do some machining on fiberglass pultrusions to make window frames for the boat. 1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 Refit: Aft enclosure windows
![Image](http://1969chriscraftroamer46.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/dscf4046.jpg)
Recently, I used the Shop Smith to machine aluminum windshield extrusions. 1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 Refit: Helm Windshield Frames (part I)
![Image](http://1969chriscraftroamer46.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/dscf4650.jpg)
FRP pultrusions and aluminum are unconventional materials for the Shop Smith, and the shapes were unlike what most woodworkers deal with, but I have to say the machine works like a champ. I do look forward to working on the interior, when the only dust flying will be from wood.
Cheers,
Q
1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 Refit