The Davis Shopsmith Journals

[alancooke]

Rick,

Glad to hear of your venture and I'm looking forward to being a customer. I'm sure you could find a few interested 'beta testers' here on the forum (hint, hint);)

This is my project and Shopsmith will be marketing it. The first one will be ready for release in about 30 days. PLEASE do not contact Shopsmith as yet about this as the folks in customer service don't have the info.

I'm glad this is becoming available in any format, but I'm really surprised that SS will only be involved from a marketing standpoint. I think they are missing a real opportunity. For example, I believe something like a video version of Nick's 'Workshop Companion' Series would be an instant hit.

I have spared no expense filming.

With this kind of investment, please don't stop at 8-11 DVD's! I think you could easily do a segment on each of the 5 main functions of the Mark V, as well as one on each of the SPT's (ie. 'Getting the Most Out of Your Table Saw' , 'Bandsaws from A-Z', 'Jointing 101', etc.) Then, you could do segments on individual projects.

Actually, since you've already bought a lot of the equipment, how about a webcast series similar to the sawdust sessions]"REAL WORLD WOODWORKING; Why the Shop Smith is the perfect small shop solution"
[/B] This could be 'actual' footage of you and/or others working on 'actual' projects in the shop.

Anyway, think about the beta testing:) Have a great day!

[alancooke]

WoW,

Gotta say Nick's post threw me for a loop. His came in while I was writing mine.

I hope this doesn't cause tension that will prevent some very good ideas from moving forward!

[reible]

Happy Birthday Ricknwood!

Ed

[ricknwood]

Thanks Ed, I do appreciate your well wishes. There were many times when I wasn't sure that I would make it to 62. I can remember being in the jungles of Vietnam and wondering, will I ever get out of this place. Here I am, 40 years later. Thanks for you ongoing support of Shopsmith, myself and our educational opportunities.
With great respect, Rick Davis

[ricknwood]

Rick,

Glad to hear of your venture and I'm looking forward to being a customer. I'm sure you could find a few interested 'beta testers' here on the forum (hint, hint)]"REAL WORLD WOODWORKING; Why the Shop Smith is the perfect small shop solution"
[/B] This could be 'actual' footage of you and/or others working on 'actual' projects in the shop.

Anyway, think about the beta testing:) Have a great day!

Thanks Alan for your support of more information. There will not be any problem between the Shopsmith program and mine. We are both here to serve you the owner. Keep those ideas coming as I am always open for your suggestions. With great respect, Rick

[ricknwood]

I too will be antisipating the first release. So count me in. By the way anybody know what happened to Mike Young & Casey Chaffin. Mike did the sawdust therapy and alignment tapes. I have several of the Shopsmith Heirloom projects that Casey Chaffin did.

Hi Scott, I do not know Casey, but I can tell you that Mike Young is still doing demonstrations in the 11 western states.
With great respect, Rick Davis

[Ed in Tampa]

I hope this doesn't sound critical because it is not meant to be. But I do have a concern. My concern is Shopsmith seems to be going in many directions and focus is being diverted to the lastest new idea.

Example a few months ago Shopsmith touted the Woodworking partners web page. However if you look at it now in many categories it hasn't been updated in weeks/months.

Another example is sale flyers and catalogues. They were printed and mailed but more importantly the information was, for the most part, updated on the website so you could get a accurate sale price. Today I can't find most of what I want and when I do the price may or may not be right.

Another example is the forum. I think the Shopsmith forum is absolutely excellent yet from time to time I see people I believe are connected to Shopsmith posting more timely info on other forums. This is the Shopsmith sponsored forum and it should be in my opinion the resource Shopsmith uses to convey the latest and greatest to the forum world.

Now these Videos, right now in know of at least 3 ventures aimed at putting out video's primarily focused on Shopsmith. That isn't mentioning other organizations like Wood Magazine, Delta and Dewalt that are beginning to put out similar video's on general woodworking and their machines.

I think the owner's page was brilliant and should have been kept extremely current. I think this the Shopsmith forum is again brilliant and it should be where Shopsmith focuses all of it's resources. I think Nick's sawdust sessions are winners, but I can see room for more. However I think Shopsmith needs to get everyone in a room and see what each can bring to the table and how best use what is being brought to the table to help Shopsmith.

If not some of these other ventures I mentioned above are going to storm into the arena and Shopsmith is going to find itself left behind.
Case in point go to http://www.woodmagazine.com/wood/ and check out all the videos that they already have out. Everything from getting the most from your tablesaw to making drawers to French polishing.

Again please do not take this as a critical or negative assessment of the proposed videos, it isn't. I'm merely trying to say I think all of these plans have something to bring to the Shopsmith table. However there needs to be an overall strategy or master plan that places these in the right combination for Shopsmith to build on.
Ed

[ricknwood]

Keep those ideas coming. You can never be over educated in any aspect of life. All of our separate projects will work to the advantage of our owners. Thanks for your ongoing support of the company, Rick

[stephen_a._draper]

Are these still available?

[JPG]

Good Grief! An 18 year old thread.

Ask SS!