Traveling Academy

[Ed in Tampa]

As I have been reading this replies to this thread a question has occurred to me that I am going to ask the group: For those of who who have attended a TA over the past year or two has the question been asked to attendees "how many of you own a computer and know how to use the internet? My point is this: while us forum users do, I am sure there are SS users who don't. If TA's rely on sales, as we all know they do, then maybe there is an "untapped market" out there waiting to be explored. It just would be nice to have an occasional TA show up in my neck of the woods every once in awhile. For the record when there was a TA offered in my area and the attachments were demonstrated and how they were shown to make this new hobby safer and more enjoyable, it resulted in a $1500.00+ purchase. If I viewed them being used online, I would have said "that's nice" but in all liklihood wouldn't have made the purchase. The same can be said of the newer items (Sand Flee included) that have come out. When it comes to what I consider to be large purchases I want to have the opportunity to try it out in person. Its just like buying a car: how many of you take a look at the car shown on a commercial and then go buy it without first taking it for a test drive yourself, looking under the hood, kicking the tires, etc.? Its the same with Shopsmith: Show me the tool in operation and during the demonstration, let me have a go at it to learn for myself how the tool works.

I can't believe there are that fewer woodworkers in the east of the Mississippi than there are in the west.

Take the observation for what its worth,
Blane

Blane
You bring up a good point. I have a hard time buying something that costs a few hundred bucks sight unseen. By sight unseen I don't mean looking at a picture and etc. I have been toying with the idea of a Overhead Pin Router, the Strip sander, one of Shopsmith router tables, and a few other things and I know the biggest reason I haven't jumped on them is because I have unanswered questions that can only be answered by touching, wiggling and generally kicking the tires first hand.

In my opinion if Shopsmith ever starts up the Traveling Academies in the East again they need to bring these SPT along so we can try them out. That is one thing about having a store presence, I could go in and see for myself if the tool was useful for me. My Shopsmith and all my SPT's were only bought after I was able to see them in person.

I know many people that buy Grizzly tools (mail order) and for the life of me I couldn't bring myself to do that. Now Home Depot is trying to sale Ridgid standalone tools using a picture of the tool. Again there is no way on this earth I could/would consider buying a major standalone tool from a picture. I ain't wired that way. And I think there are a lot more like me.
Ed

[ryanbp01]

Ed-

Thanks for taking the time in letting me know I'm not alone. It truly is reassuring.

BPR

[a1gutterman]

..................In my opinion if Shopsmith ever starts up the Traveling Academies in the East again they need to bring these SPT along so we can try them out. That is one thing about having a store presence, I could go in and see for myself if the tool was useful for me. My Shopsmith and all my SPT's were only bought after I was able to see them in person.........Ed

Hi Ed,

When I went last April, Rick Davis had every SPT available along with most of the accessories available, all on display on tables set up on one side of the room. I'm nearly positive that during the course of the 3 days, he talked about every item up there.

[rkh2]

I am in agreement with Blane & Ed on the TA's. I thoroughly enjoy the sawdust sessions and watch all of them and participate when I have the opportunity to if I am not working on Saturdays and have made some purchases as a result of them, however my bigger purchases were made as a result of attending a TA of which I have taken advantage of yearly when they were offered in our area here in TN. Also miss the comradeship with other SS owners during the 3 days. I also like the feel and touch method before making a major purchase. Working at Home Depot I feel that since they did away with their floor displays of the bigger power tools such as table saws, drill presses and such that I don't see as many rolling out the doors. I am keeping my fingers crossed that eventually Shopsmith will get profitable enough to put the TA's back in our part of the country. In the meantime I will keep my knowledge growing with the sessions and the tips along with the information shared in this forum.

[terryd]

Well, Rick Davis continues to demonstrate, educate, build owner confidence and skills and, I hope, sell lots of Shopsmith stuff. I usually attend the Traveling Academy whenever they come to town, my town being Kansas City. I have attended about 5 or 6 TA's in about as many years. I really like the more recent multiple day schedule. I always learn many new things and am reminded of even more things I have forgotten. Rick does an outstanding job sharing his wealth of experience and knowledge. I purchased his DVD some weeks ago (a terrific resource) so today was doubly fun to have the opportunity to meet him. I can't attend the other sessions this time and I'm quite disappointed. He has several add-ons to demonstrate tomorrow, the router table being one that I would really have liked to see. Bottomline, I've found the TA sessions to be useful. Having a chance to see and use new (to me) tools has helped me to make better choices in purchasing accessories.

I also believe Shopsmith's entry into long distance education via the internet is a great way to spread the word...I've found it to be most informative and easy to manage on my own schedule.

terryd

[ryanbp01]

Has Shopsmith ever thought about owners being trained or sharing their knowledge for TA's? Is would seem to me that if owners are that enthusiastic about their system as well as the sales process that everyone would win. While there are those of us who feel comfortable with doing things on the web, it also helps to have the face to face contact, as well as giving a possible solution to what has been discussed previously.


BPR

[billmayo]

This idea has been discussed since Shopsmith begin selling. In this day and time, the liability issues are the top concerns/backbreakers. Shopsmith cannot afford these expensive risks and related costs to train any owner or offer any hands-on lesson plans with their backing. The insurance needed will be more than the average person could afford for even one hands-on training session. Non-liability forms can still be riskly. Someone would need to have task(s) planned out for the day. I find that it takes about 3 or more hours preparation for each task hour being covered.

What I and others have tried to do is to have a get-together within a certain area for a few hours to a day to discuss any specific task and/or problems that they may be experiencing and see if we can find solutions. So far, no meetings as everyone these days seems too commented/busy to spare any time that may or may not benefit them personally. I have had a few one-on-one meetings relating to Shopsmith repairs and maintenance that I enjoyed doing and will continue to do.

Bill Mayo

Has Shopsmith ever thought about owners being trained or sharing their knowledge for TA's? Is would seem to me that if owners are that enthusiastic about their system as well as the sales process that everyone would win. While there are those of us who feel comfortable with doing things on the web, it also helps to have the face to face contact, as well as giving a possible solution to what has been discussed previously.


BPR

[ryanbp01]

Bill,

I feel your pain about getting people together, especially in light of higher gas prices. While I appreciate the forums as well as Shopsmith's use of technology to get the word out, I am still of the opinion that direct contact is still the best way to go. I guess that there must be a lot more woodworkers west of the Mississippi R. than there is to the East, especially when it comes to Shopsmiths. When I deal with 100+ people on a daily basis 10 months out of the year, I am used to having that direct contact. There is something impersonal about not being able to get together, share information/tips, see the latest Shopsmith equipment in operation, and have a good time doing it. It's my opinion that maybe we have reached a point using technology that we have reached the point of using it as a substitute for actual contact with people.

Blane

[woodburner]

Hi,

Indeed, owners have become Traveling Academy instructors. Case in point.
Rick Davis just became an owner of a Shopsmith about four-five years ago. He was attending his first Traveling Academy while Doug Reid was still the instructor (I've been to his classes too). He shared a lunch with Doug and were talking about woodworking. Doug was wanting to retire and move back east, and when he found out the experience Rick has in woodworking, he offered him the job on the spot.
Rick was a new owner, and had never used a Shopsmith before he purchased his a couple of months prior to attending the class. Rick is a professional woodworker and has been all his life. He always used stand-alone machines and never thought about using a combination machine before. But he needed something that will fit in his now limited shop space and still be able to create all the projects he enjoys making. He was at the academy to learn about his Shopsmith, just like the rest of us who attend the traveling academy.
In fact, it took a bit of convincing on Doug's part to get Rick to take the job. Rick had just retired from his profession and wanted to relax and not go on the road away from his family.
Rick was in the right place at the right time. Thank goodness he took the job, or I doubt there would be any type of Traveling Academy at the present time.
So yes, four or five years ago you could be an owner, a new owner actually, and be hired to become a traveling academy instructor. However, I do not believe the company is currently seeking instructors at the present time.
Rick has helped me tremendously over the last four-or-so years I have know him, and keep in touch often (my name is listed as one of his valuable customers in his DVD credits). I hope when he does decide to retire he can find a replacement with as much knowledge about woodworking and the Shopsmith as he does, and that Shopsmith keeps the traveling academy in operation.
I make sure to attend his traveling academy whenever he comes to my area of CA. I attend whenever he comes to Bakersfield and Fresno. I save a bit of money when I order/purchase my Shopsmith supplies with him.
Whenever he is at either of these cities, his academies sell-out weeks in advance. In some areas of the country where he holds classes, only a few woodworkers attend. Not that no one is interested, its that woodworking is not as popular in some parts of the country as it is in others.
Also, I believe its due to woodworkers not realizing there is actually a traveling woodworking academy. It's the only one I know of. You can learn a lot from Rick even if you do not own a Shopsmith.
If more woodworkers knew about what they can learn at the academy, and I mean all-around, informative woodworking instruction, and not just for Shopsmith owners, more woodworkers will attend.
Maybe someday the academy will catch on again and become popular once more. Maybe then you can become a traveling academy instructor for Shopsmith.
I know I would really enjoy being an instructor. I've taught some new Shopsmith owners in the area I live in CA and really enjoy it. I've taught everything from initial set-up, to woodturning bowls, and using the Incra system. When you see their faces when they realize that hey, I just made that with my own tools and my own hands, you can't beat it.

[osx-addict]

Woodburner --

That's the enthusiasm I had as a teenager when I took shop the first time.. We had to travel to another local school that had the properly loaded shop and made lots of little projects.. I still have one of them, but sadly remember little of what was taught in the class.. Unfortunately, I was not able to continue doing that sort of stuff at home since my father didn't own much along that line.. Anyway, I'm making up for it now and will plan to get my kids involved and I believe my wife has even expressed interest in attending a local TA session at some point..