New Shopsmith PowerPro - Time to save up.....

jmoore65 · Post by **jmoore65** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 4:21 pm

My hope is that they follow the existing philisophy of making it repairable and extendable by the owner. I'd love for the new headstock to be 100% made in the US. However I know that we live in a global marketplace, and there will be a cost/availability decision to be made for parts.

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 4:21 pm

Considering every shopsmith made is the old headstock. I would not be concerned at all that parts will not be available just because of a new headstock. If Shopsmith has proven one thing over the years is they will support owners with parts. (Just as long they stay in the bizz)

I think if anything you will see a new bread of new Shopsmith owners and also have the "old school" bunch. That would be us.
If Shopsmith needs anything right now it would be new customers. I know I am important to Shopsmith but fact is I just about own everything I can buy from them. The only thing left to sell me is a part from time to time. And how often does a Shopsmith owner need a part??? The beauty of owning a shopsmith.

paul heller · Post by **paul heller** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:57 pm

Ed in Tampa wrote:Frankly in this economy if they price it higher than $500 they have their heads stuck some where that doesn't see much light.

Time for me to chime in. I agree with Ed. Where in the world did you guys get $2K from? No way I would shell that out.

Plus.... I kind of like my current headstock. Sort of like a classic car. I like the feel of the old dials and knobs, the design of the mechanics, the nostalgia behind the basic design, and the look of the face with the big speed dial. I am a bit afraid I might miss those things in the shiney new model even if it is far superior.

But it sure is exciting to read this news.

Paul

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 8:09 pm

Consider the following:

1) In order to be compatible with the existing SPT set, the idler shaft must turn at 1.6x the speed of the main shaft and must be located at the same position relative to the way tubes.

2) The main shaft must also be located at the same position relative to the way tubes.

Prognostication re 1 & 2: The new headstock will have the main and 'middle' shafts at the same location and be connected by the same poly-v belt and pulley size as the current version.

3) The middle shaft must be driven by the new motor and needs to be connected by a belt.

Prognostication re 3 The motor will be connected to the middle shaft by the same belt as the current version.

4) The headstock length needs to be no longer than the current one since the max span dimensions would be reduced.

5) The use of 7 in the name implies a parallel to the mark VII which includes the reversable run direction. A lot of otherwise unusable mark VII's would be 'resurrected' with a compatible new headstock.

Prognostication re 5 The on off/direction switch functions will be down with the motor. Maybe similar to the original mark VII switch.

6) With the speed control dial/quadrant gear/control sheave travel eliminated, there will be a lot of empty space inside the headstock below the quill.

Prognostication re 6 The speed indicator and controls will be near where the current dial is. The elimination of the power switch due to prognostication re 5 will also provide more room for the 'new' stuff.

What I do NOT know is what the Canadian Standards Authority will think re the switch down below with the motor. They were the reason the "C" headstock was created to move the power switch out from under the newer wider 505/510/520 table.

Any one care to join the 'prognostication party'?;)

scooters · Post by **scooters** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:02 pm

dusty wrote:This is a very interesting comment, scooters. Unfortunately, I can not tell from your profile whether or not you are likely to be able to answer my next question.

What do you think Shopsmith could do to the existing platform to give it that WOW FACTOR that is needed?

What segment of the potential market is this WOW FACTOR intended to appeal to?

I'm an old fart who is set in my ways. These changes that you would make - are they going to also appeal to me? Be forewarned - I sorta like the current configuration and would be very pleased if the upgrade required nothing more than a new motor and something to replace the speed dial.

We already know that is not the case but that is what would be required to please me.

I'm a 50 something mid-fart. I like my Shopsmith and don't see a need to upgrade for my purposes. However, I (like you) have my machine. We likely won't buy one. There are plenty of existing units to meet our needs.

However, IMHO the current Shopsmith head looks like the front end of my parents' car from the 50's. Young people today like buttons, laser targets, LED lights and other geee whiz stuff. If they want to sell new models to the next generation, they will probably need to jazz it up a bit.

Simple stuff is far more reliable, gee whiz stuff is much easier to sell.

Time will tell.....

scooters · Post by **scooters** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:10 pm

mikelst wrote:Scooters

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I think you missed on the ..-:D

Mike

Good Catch- Updated.

doug45601 · Post by **doug45601** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:40 pm

I'm getting too darn old for an upgrade headstock. The cost for the newer wiz-bang features outweigh my needs when my age is factored in. Also, I've had enough problems with the simple electronics on my planer feed controls that leads me to caution with expected performance and upkeep should problems arise. Modular changes are pretty darn expensive. I believe I would wait a few years till all the bugs are worked out... providing my age allows me to do so.. JMO

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 6:14 am

doug45601 wrote:I'm getting too darn old for an upgrade headstock. The cost for the newer wiz-bang features outweigh my needs when my age is factored in. Also, I've had enough problems with the simple electronics on my planer feed controls that leads me to caution with expected performance and upkeep should problems arise. Modular changes are pretty darn expensive. I believe I would wait a few years till all the bugs are worked out... providing my age allows me to do so.. JMO

If you go to the shop on a regular basis, to make sawdust, I don't believe your age is a factor. The PowerPro will work just as well for someone who is 75 and it will for someone who is 45.

Now, if you don't want the new-fangled do dads, that is another story all together. To buy or not is a very personal decision that has to be made by all of us. For some the decision is clear. For others ......

kalynzoo · Post by **kalynzoo** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 11:42 am

I will make the assumption that the PowerPro is a well built, thoroughly tested, American made Shopsmith product. With these givens, it will just be a matter of price, as to whether or not I can afford the upgrade. I've already warned my wife to start budgeting for my birthday. I can only hope that SS with introduce the PowerPro at a low introductory price, to get wide distribution, a rapid influx of funds, and positive consumer comments. The other alternative is that of the auto industry, introduce a new product at the highest possible price, and expect people to glow in the fact that they are the first on the block to have the new car. Time will tell.

foxtrapper · Post by **foxtrapper** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 2:43 pm

"...deliver 1-1/2 times to over 2-1/2 times the horsepower and torque...a much broader speed range..."

Hmmm. Wonder how well this will play out with the accessory tools and such. Yes, I saw where he said it was 100% compatable with everything. But when you increase speeds and power, you make breakage much more likely.

It sounds very interesting, but when it hits the market, I'll be curious to see how things settle out a few years later.