Woodgears Doesn't Recommend Shopsmith

[JPG]

You would still have to pick up that 500 lb workpiece and position it on the CNC 'machine'. Only once though if positioned correctly.

[paulrussell]

If I wanted everything to be done by the machine I would buy a CNC machine, program in what I want made and stand back and watch.

Fact is that there is a place for all types of tools. I have a hammer and some nice vintage Stanley planes. I have a PowerPro 520, the Shopsmith belt sander, and a stand-alone Shopsmith planer. I also have a 24x36 CNC. Each tool has its place. In fact, I used all of the above when making these Sleepwalker beer tap handles:



(I would have also used my SS bandsaw if the bearings had not been backordered.....)

[Ed in Tampa]

If I wanted everything to be done by the machine I would buy a CNC machine, program in what I want made and stand back and watch.

Fact is that there is a place for all types of tools. I have a hammer and some nice vintage Stanley planes. I have a PowerPro 520, the Shopsmith belt sander, and a stand-alone Shopsmith planer. I also have a 24x36 CNC. Each tool has its place. In fact, I used all of the above when making these Sleepwalker beer tap handles:

Nice CNC work!

[Ed in Tampa]

You would still have to pick up that 500 lb workpiece and position it on the CNC 'machine'. Only once though if positioned correctly.

I did that once and my hicky mo shy got wacked up and I don't do that anymore.

[ryanbp01]

I never heard of "Woodgears". That is his opinion. All I know is that my decision of having a Shopsmith is the best option for me. I will never be on the same plane as many of you or any of the other more famous woodworkers out there but my Shopsmith works for me and that is all that matters. Now I am going to go turn the heat up in my workshop so I can go have some fun tomorrow.
BPR

[skou]

"Lastly, Ed, you've really jumped the shark with your latest examples. True, you can't safely put a 500 pound project on a Shopsmith."

Depends on the ShopSmith! I've got NO PROBLEM putting 500 pound stuff on my Model 10.

Some ShopSmiths can handle. Some can't!

(Although, my Model 10 is a stone beotch {sorry guys} to lift into drill-press mode!)

steve

[skou]

If I wanted everything to be done by the machine I would buy a CNC machine, program in what I want made and stand back and watch.

Fact is that there is a place for all types of tools. I have a hammer and some nice vintage Stanley planes. I have a PowerPro 520, the Shopsmith belt sander, and a stand-alone Shopsmith planer. I also have a 24x36 CNC. Each tool has its place. In fact, I used all of the above when making these Sleepwalker beer tap handles:



(I would have also used my SS bandsaw if the bearings had not been backordered.....)

Paul, PLEASE invite me to this tavern!

steve

[JPG]

If I wanted everything to be done by the machine I would buy a CNC machine, program in what I want made and stand back and watch.

Fact is that there is a place for all types of tools. I have a hammer and some nice vintage Stanley planes. I have a PowerPro 520, the Shopsmith belt sander, and a stand-alone Shopsmith planer. I also have a 24x36 CNC. Each tool has its place. In fact, I used all of the above when making these Sleepwalker beer tap handles:



(I would have also used my SS bandsaw if the bearings had not been backordered.....)

Paul, PLEASE invite me to this tavern!

steve

We got a local pub with 32 different beers on tap.

[idcook]

Some folks don't care for the Shopsmith.
Doesn't bother me.
I'm happy with mine.

Bingo!

That said ...

During my first year in High school I had a teacher who, on the first day of class, stated: "A bad carpenter always blames his tools."

As this was a graphic design class the comment didn't seem wholly appropriate at the time, but his point was well understood. Some classmates had the Creme de la Creme pens, brushes and inks; others had lesser brands. Yet all were extremely competent artists. (That's the reason we were admitted to the course).

After providing us a list of all the tools we'd need for the course, and forever after, we were to understand that no excuse for doing less than our bests would be accepted.

Somewhere out here is a kid with a pen knife that he can use to build a cabin. A ShopSmith, in his hands, might sit and rust. He prefers the knife and does good work.

That'll do for me.