Time for a rant

[garys]

I wouldn't consider myself a serious woodworker. I'm more of a serious hobbyist. I don't have a big shop, so the Shopsmith is the best choice for me. I don't have space for separate tools, so I don't want them.

Here are just a few of my "non-serious woodworker" projects

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[dusty]

I wouldn't consider myself a serious woodworker. I'm more of a serious hobbyist. I don't have a big shop, so the Shopsmith is the best choice for me. I don't have space for separate tools, so I don't want them.

Here are just a few of my "non-serious woodworker" projects
compilation2.jpg

I WOULD consider you a serious woodworker though I might not consider you a professional woodworker. A professional must expect a return on all the time and money spent building something. You don't. Now Mark (mbcabinetmaker) is the professional here. Browse the forum. You can see his shop and many of the projects he has completed. No hobbiest there.

What I have seen of what you have built could well be excepted as product from a professional shop.

[oldiron]

Excellent work!!! I would take those pictures to the store and show those folks what can be built with the SS's.

And yes, I would enlighten them about the SS rather than allow them to remain ignorant as to the SS capability!!!

You have some beautiful items there..........

Mike

[dusty]

So I went to the local woodworkers supply store here in Las Vegas. Very nice people and run some very knowledgeable people. I must say the store is very well stocked with all the stuff I will be needing. Then I mentioned that I need an Amana saw blade ordered and bored to 1 1/4" and suddenly attitudes changed. Oh you must be using a Shopsmith. Suddenly I was not a serious woodworker. That really pissed me off. I really hate ignorant people that actually believe that because I use SS products I can't possibly be a serious wood woodworker. I in fact use them because I am a serious woodworker. Oh well. Their loss !
Paul

I understand the inference but that may not be what they thought. Most small (hobby) shops do not need or utilize oversized arbors. Given that logic, it may seem obvious to then that you have a Shopsmith.

There was a time when I sorta felt that I was not serious when I went to my local Woodcraft store. They don't treat me that way any more. I am also accepted as "an equal customer" and the local Woodworkers Supply. Woodworkers Supply even loads my purchases into the truck for me. They never did that before. I consider that a perk out of respect for my age. I look around both stores and don't often see customers in their late 70s. Take them (perks) where you can get um.

[wa2crk]

I have run into that attitude at a WC store in the past. I did not get that same feeling when I started going to a Rockler store. I knew one guy who would not get a SS because he said that the table was too small. So he went to Lowes and got a Ryobi bench top saw with a smaller table. Go figure!!
Rockler also gives members of woodworking groups a 10% discount on each purchase. (sale items not included). After every 20 purchases the club is issued a $20 gift card.
I get most of my stuff at the Rockler store now.
Bill V

[JPG]

It will be interesting re WC 'attitude' if/when they begin selling SS stuff.

After all there is some SS/WC history. Doubt the attitude folks are aware of that(or the possible future).

[jsburger]

It will be interesting re WC 'attitude' if/when they begin selling SS stuff.

After all there is some SS/WC history. Doubt the attitude folks are aware of that(or the possible future).

I couldn't agree more. I bought my first SS from Wood Craft.

[woodburner]

I do believe the woodworking store he was talking about in his 'rant' is called 'Woodworkers Emporium'. I've been there more than a few times and order from them online.
The folks there are knowledgable and helpful, and I'm surprised they would have an 'attitude' about Shopsmith owners. They know I own two and I have never received anything but friendly service from them.

[Ed in Tampa]

Put yourself in the store clerks shoes, he is trying to size you up to know at what level of talk to the customer. Are you a pro or a new rookie? He gets a hint you own a Festool okay probably a pro, you own a Shopsmith okay you are probably hobbiest. Can a pro own a Shopsmith sure but not usually, inverse is true can a home hobbies town a Festool sure but not likely.

When my SIL and I were in business building houses he had shirts with the business logo made up. If I go into homedepot, lowes, local lumber yard, or speciality hardware store they talk differently to me depending on whether I am wearing that shirt or not.

I understand that, if they see evidence I am a pro they talk to me as if I were a pro if they think they have evidence that I am a home hobbies they talk to me as a home hobbiest.

No insult just trying to find the right level of understanding. Perhaps Shopsmith owners ( strike that) perhaps we all need a thicker skin.

[dusty]

Maybe the Shopsmith owner is the one with an attitude. Every one in the store knows that his table saw has the smallest motor and the smallest table top.