an early shopsmith want-to be

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:36 pm

Found this ad in a magazine from the 1950's. $80 was a lot of money back then. What did a shopsmith cost back then?

greitz · Post by **greitz** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 4:44 pm

As far as I can tell, about $200. See this link:

http://www.woodworkinghistory.com/appendix_22.htm

Gary

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 5:54 pm

greitz wrote:As far as I can tell, about $200. See this link:

http://www.woodworkinghistory.com/appendix_22.htm

Gary

Thanks for the link.

chiroindixon · Post by **chiroindixon** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 6:36 pm

I have here, a "54 Shopsmith sales display unit. Price is marked $259......

It's cool display. The demonstrator must have this behind him. All the extra tools like the sanding disc have a "slot".....

The previous owner kept his tools likewise....

Now I'll see if I can make Dusty happy and post a picture.

Doc

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:40 pm

That would really be neat, Doc. Good Luck in the effort.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:29 pm

Ahh, memories and reminiscing. I almost can remember the "Do It" machine adds in Popular Science Mag. Thanks for the post, Cincinnati!

Edit - Probably was more like Popular Mechanics Magazine. I think Popular Science came into circulation at a later time. I still have one of those quarter inch drills just like the one pictured. (only one speed - full open)

Greitz - Thank you for your link to history.

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:25 pm

That $80 7 in 1 tool utilized your own drill motor. It clamps into the "jig". I wood not compare the price to the SS, which came with it's own motor (although, with today's drills, you wood have the variable speed!).

chiroindixon · Post by **chiroindixon** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 8:16 am

Okay Dusty, hopefully here they are.

Doc

chiroindixon · Post by **chiroindixon** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 8:19 am

Looks like it worked. Can I now wear big boy pants, Dusty?

Doc

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 9:28 am

Yup, you got it now, Doc.

The pictures look great and the subject matter is terrific. What was that, a full up Shopsmith for $289.50? I'll have to keep this picture handy for when I finally find that Shopsmith that has been in someone's garage, covered up for years and they now want to sell. $289 would be a good spot to start negotiations.

I hope this means that we'll begin seeing more photos from your sawdust mill.