A classic is coming back… but only for a limited time 👀

[JPG]

In that interview post it was stated that this is a test to judge the feasibility of 'continuing "legacy" production'. I got the impression that it was expected to 'fail' thus justifying discontinuance of legacy support.

I think the parts obtained for this limited production would be better utilized as stocking up for long term "legacy" support by making replacement parts still available for some time to come.

The detail that is apparently not understood by the current management of SS is the unique long term commitment made by the original powers to be at all the previous iterations of ownership except until very recently. That commitment was unique to the Mark 5 and it's successors and was a touted selling point. The comments of the previous poster reflect that.

I consider that former commitment as well as the backward compatibility of upgrades etc. when possible to be SS's strongest selling asset. Yes it is old fashioned and seldom practiced these days, but it's validity remains.

I as I think most of us old timers would willingly pay a higher price for "legacy" parts rather then depend upon scavenged used parts on E-bay.

[RFGuy]

+1

Thanks JPG. Well said and I couldn't agree more. I like this new kind of short interview that SS has come out with. I like that they are plainly speaking to customers this way and sharing the good and the bad to keep us informed. I wish every company did this. I am glad they are doing another run of conventional headstocks, even if it turns out to be a one-off event. I hope it lasts, but you never know. I applaud SS for maintaining backwards compatibility in the Mark V lineup for decades as they have in the past. It is a fact that has kept many of us around, for perhaps longer than we should have stayed. A relative few owners upgrading their motors to a PowerPro should NOT, NOT, NOT put in jeopardy ALL of us "legacy" owners who happen to own a conventional headstock and continue to support SS from time to time with new purchases. I have a significant investment in the SS system...I think I counted up (in my head) over $10k between one Mark V, SPT's and accessories purchased over the years. All purchased new from SS. Considering inflation that's like $20k in today's dollars invested in my shop on Shopsmith equipment. IF I could no longer get parts for my conventional headstock and it broke, I would just assume send all of this equipment to the landfill than to purchase a PowerPro (assuming I couldn't sell some of it). Sure other owners will think and feel differently, but I have enough reservations about the PowerPro, all explained in excessive detail in past posts on this forum, that I don't intend to own one until said deficiencies are remedied. IF I had to start over because my conventional headstock broke and ONLY if I couldn't fix it, I would go a different direction in my shop than Shopsmith to replace it. I mean if conventional headstocks are no longer supported, who is to say that in 1 year or 5 years time that the PowerPro Gen 1, Gen 2, etc. are no longer supported either???

[algale]

In the best of all worlds Shopsmith would continue to support the conventional headstock as well as the PowerPro (and every other tool it ever sold). But a lot of folks on this forum have squealed at the prices of certain repair parts coming from Shopsmith and have gone elsewhere to find them.

True. And understandable. But only because that alternative still exists. The day WILL come when those costs become more equivalent. Case in point, priced E-bay prices for JPW lately?


WHOOPS!

[cooch366]

In the best of all worlds Shopsmith would continue to support the conventional headstock as well as the PowerPro (and every other tool it ever sold). But a lot of folks on this forum have squealed at the prices of certain repair parts coming from Shopsmith and have gone elsewhere to find them.

True. And understandable. But only because that alternative still exists. The day WILL come when those costs become more equivalent. Case in point, priced E-bay prices for JPW lately?

Yes I have…

IMG_1488.png (1.05 MiB) Viewed 36387 times

[algale]

Someone has edited my post. They added blue color to a portion of text and added text starting with "True" and a discussion about pricing JPW on ebay.

[DLB]

Someone has edited my post. They added blue color to a portion of text and added text starting with "True" and a discussion about pricing JPW on ebay.

This happens from time to time, I doubt that if it was deliberate. Someone wielding Admin privileges likely got carried away.

- David