Shopsmith Forums

I'll bet a bunch of that item will make their way to shopsmith owner nation wide. What a great way to get the economy moving. fjimp

Wow! That is surprising news. I light of the current economy, Shopsmith is taking a bold step. I am very curious to see how they are going to promote and advertise this NEW Shopsmith!! Alec

I can't wait to see the new headstock!

Here's some guesses:

- For balance in vertical and horizontal modes, the main motor mass stays in the current motor-pan location.
- At least one belt is still required to run both the main spindle and the jointer-output-shaft.
- Just guessing the Quill system will stay at the current design throughout, unless some metric/inches digital feature is added.
- No changes to headstock lock.
- Vibration levels will be reduced. No idea whether the pulleys will serve still as "fans."
- List price =< $2000 ?

What do you all foresee?

nuhobby wrote:I can't wait to see the new headstock!

Here's some guesses:

- For balance in vertical and horizontal modes, the main motor mass stays in the current motor-pan location.
- At least one belt is still required to run both the main spindle and the jointer-output-shaft.
- Just guessing the Quill system will stay at the current design throughout, unless some metric/inches digital feature is added.
- No changes to headstock lock.
- Vibration levels will be reduced. No idea whether the pulleys will serve still as "fans."
- List price =< $2000 ?

What do you all foresee?

I agree.

We know pretty well what it will look like on the outside (except for switches and gauges). It still must provide a mechanical interface to the carriage and the SPT. It still will ride on the existing tubes. It may get a new look (paint job) but that is about all that can happen.

Will the motor be interchangeable with a non-converted Mark V motor - most likely not but wouldn't that be great.

Cost? I fear that <= $2000 is wishful thinking. Remember, the initial price tag must include recovery costs for R&D.

dusty wrote:
Cost? I fear that <= $2000 is wishful thinking. Remember, the initial price tag must include recovery costs for R&D.

For once we can agree that we BOTH hope you are wrong!

[quote="JPG40504"]For once we can agree that we BOTH hope you are wrong! ]

I have a hard time understanding exactly what you are saying. Do you believe that the PowerPro Headstock will come in at less than $2000.00. If so, what do you think it will sell for initially. The current headstock sells for something like $1400.00.

I'm assuming that it will still have the high speed out-put shaft at the middle left for the jointer etc. No clue of course at this point as to the nature of changes to the speed control. It will really give us a lot to speculate about in the coming months.
Will the Mark V receive a new major color change or other cosmetic changes?
Will the new machine still be called a Mark V?
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I see a couple of possibilities coming out of this. One is that it may be a great boost for Shopsmith Inc. (we all hope), unless they try to jack the cost of a new machine too high for the current economic climate.
I would also expect the value of used existing machines to drop especially for higher dollar fairly new machines. Accessories and SPT's should hold their value well.
It will be interesting to see how soon the new headstocks hit ebay from the parts sellers.
I have to wonder how many new (old style) machines they will be able to sell between now and the release of the new ones.
I wonder how long the line will be.
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Even though we all love our old Shopsmiths isn't it great to be able to get this excited about them again...

[quote="JPG40504"]For once we can agree that we BOTH hope you are wrong! ]

Are you sure that I am hoping to be wrong? Yes, I would like to be able to buy a new headstock for less than the current headstock sells for but I don't think that will ever happen. Shopsmith's past performance clearly indicates that they are not running any sort of give away program. They chose to release this PowerPro into the market place during this financial crisis. They are not doing that just so you and I can have new, more powerful headstocks in our Mark V. They are hoping for some big return on their investment. That return won't (can't) come from a low ball price tag.

Are you wishing for next years Mark V Model 530, equipped with the new Power Pro Headstock, to sell for less than what a new Mark V Model 520 costs today.

I, along with easterngray, am wondering just how this new item will be marketed. Has anyone seen any evidence of its existence anywhere other than on the forum?

I don't think so! Yes, you are right!! I hope I'm wrong!! I just edited my Christmas WISH LIST to include a PowerPro Headstock.

I for one would love to get the new headstock based on the description but at the same time, I won't be able to afford a $1500 or up price tag. At that price all I could do would be to read about it and drool over the pictures. I am sure many other Shopsmith owners are in the same boat.

If Shopsmith could somehow bring it in for under $1000 I might be able to save for it in the next couple of years. I don't expect this to happen but that's what wishful thinking is for.