Outfeed table

[reible]

Nick recommended that if we like the outfeed table we should let Shopsmith know that. I thought we had been doing that but evidently not. Maybe none of the engineering staff and/or the marketing group read the forum. But they don't answer email either.

I have tried private email to Bob Folkerth and he hasn't answered. I read this as a lack of interest. In my humble opinion, almost all of them are missing the boat. I was a production test engineer for many years and I understand that many business decisions are made in a vacuum. This one certainly seems to have been.

I would really like to hear from my "Lifetime Woodworking Partner", either one of them. Either Mr John Folkerth or Mr Robert Folkerth could do this if they wanted to.

....

Dusty,

If you go to the membership page and look at bfolkerth he has the orginal 3 posts to his name. If you look to the right side of the page the
"Last Activity: 07-19-2006 01:22 PM" says it all.

Ed

[dusty]

This is not about the outfeed table even though it came up in this thread.

reible points out that there is no evidence that bfolkerth reads his email or more specifically the posts on this forum. Well, he certainly doesn't answer them if he does read them and that is a real shame.

Anyone who follows this forum would realize that there are a lot of us out here that are really into our machines. We may be the older group, that is, not the ones buying new Shopsmiths, but we certainly are the customer base. If every one on this forum spends as much as I do monthly on my shop the resulting cash flow is quite significant and can't be ignored.

We should not be ignored or even given reason to "feel like we are ignored". bfolkerth doesn't even have to communicate with each of us individually all he has to do is respond to the forum.

How about a "Weekly Blog from the Desk of bfolkerth".

[Nick]

Hey, HEY, HEY! Enough is enough, guys. This started out as a discussion about outfeed tables and has turned into a whine fest about the fact that Bob doesn't answer his e-mails personally. I'm sorry that I mentioned that your opinion means a lot to him, even if it is true, because that seems to be the comment that started you chasing Bob 'round Robin Hood's barn.

Let's all count to ten, take a deep breath, then explore the way things are here at Shopsmith.

Your opinion does count with Bob and I wish it didn't on an almost weekly basis. I once mentioned on this forum that I hoped to get a streaming video together on new and improved Shopsmith alignment procedures. A couple dozen of you wrote to Bob that this would be a good thing and I haven't heard the end of it. A few weeks after I posted that idea, Academy attendance started picking up and I have been up to my ears in alligators ever since. I barely have time to participate in this forum, let alone make a video. But none of that is a good enough excuse for Bob to shelve a good idea. I had a meeting with him two days ago and guess what came up?

Like many effective CEOs, Bob is a delegator, not a communicator. If enough of you suggest what he considers to a be a good idea, then we (Shopsmith employees and contractors) will hear about it long before you do. I'm going to suggest to him that he put together a polite but canned reply to you guys just to let you know when he receives and reads your missives, but that won't effect the way things work here, nor should it. In my opinion, things work pretty well.

One of the many reasons I'm back here after two fairly successful and exciting careers as an author and an archaeologist is that I like the way things work here. I like the company mission, I like its collective vision, I like its leadership, and I especially like its committment to education. And guess what? All of that starts at the top.

So knock it off. If you want a frigging outfeed table that makes sense, ping Bob and let him know you want a frigging outfeed table that makes sense. If you want to be sure he got your frigging ping, request a frigging digital return receipt. Then let everbody do their frigging jobs. Because of the way things work around here - and because they work surprisingly well -- my guess is that you just might get a frigging outfeed table that makes sense as soon as we have the frigging money to make the changes.

With all good (frigging) wishes,

[reible]

Hey Dusty I like your idea! Maybe weekly is to often but once a month sure shouldn't be.... and he could add information about the state of the company or not... maybe some other project he is personally working on....

But wait this and your post should be on the other thread:
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=330

This thread should be for the subject it started it or things related.

I do have some news for you on one of my previous posts. After looking at the shopsmith with the parts involved this system will not work well in the front of the machine unless some additional work is done. The crank to raise and lower the table is right in line with the table tube. I think it might clear but turning the crank in 360 deg. rotation will not work... you will have to swap sides as you reach the support tube.

If I get some time later in the day I will give it a try for real and maybe fashion a easy adapter.... and maybe shoot a couple of pictures.

Ed

[rolands]

Nick's right. Give Bob a break and besides there isn't any cheese with the wine. I for one really appreciate the responses from Nick and everyone on this board. Not only have I learned a lot from all of your discussions, but I've picked up a lot of wonderful ideas from several of you. Snowing like crazy in southeast Colorado, the roads are closed and I'm headed back to the shop to work on some of those ideas.

[reible]

Now that we are back to the proper place on the thread it is time for me to report that I was out this afternoon playing and I have some pictures to show what I've been up to.

Take a look at:
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/elv60504@sb ... 2397815858
you can click on the photos to make them bigger.

Now it would seem to me if one had the handle bar stem of a bicycle or something like it to fit in the down tube of the table and then a chunk of handle bar with the right angle on it you would be in business... a sort of tight "U" shape.......

Now if you decide to play with this idea you are on your own... you dump the shopsmith, hurt yourself, wreck a project.... or any other bad thing it is only your own fault... This is concept only information and not for real world use... you have been warned.

Ed

[Nick]

"This is concept only information and not for real world use... you have been warned."

Good Lord, Ed, what a wet blanket you are. I'm participating in this forum because I did so want to sue your curmudgeoness.

Your use of bicycle technology is very perceptive. You're using the wrong part of the handlebars, however. Those of you who can fix a bicycle and aren't especially interested in litigation may want to weigh in here.

Answering two concerns in Ed's recent posts: Yes, the Shopsmith will tip over if you attempt to use the outfeed table to display your cannonball collection. In four months of heavy woodworking use -- including sawing up sheets of plywood -- it hasn't so much as teetered. As for using this design on the front of the Shopsmith as an infeed table, there's another part of the bicycle (at least, it's present on some old bicycles) that solves the problem that Ed pointed out.

With all good wishes,

[8iowa]

(Nick said, "A few weeks after I posted that idea, Academy attendance started picking up and I have been up to my ears in alligators ever since". )

Nick: You're not alone - just look at the Ohio State Buckeyes!!! Go Gators!!

[charlese]

Good Lord, Ed, what a wet blanket you are. I'm participating in this forum because I did so want to sue your curmudgeoness. ...
With all good wishes,

Hey - Nick! I'm the curmudgeon! Got that Handle during my one and only career, decades ago! Ed might be one, but that's just one of those monikers that has to be earned, and not nice to call someone;). Kinda like Geezer! You know, you can call yourself a name, but others shouldn't.

Anyway, as a former, retired, delegator myself, I'm not one to write urgent letters to anybody that's already got their hands full.

Just think, The Wright Bros. used a lot of bicycle parts!

[paulmcohen]

Now it would seem to me if one had the handle bar stem of a bicycle or something like it to fit in the down tube of the table and then a chunk of handle bar with the right angle on it you would be in business... a sort of tight "U" shape.......
Ed

OK why did you use an floating table instead of the original Shopsmith Support Table (555784)which is much larger? If you want to use a floating table why not just use the Shopsmith existing extender as is?