A Brand New Shopsmith is Still a Good Buy

[twalz68225]

Bought mine new around 1991 at the Shopsmith store in Dayton.

[BuckeyeDennis]

I personally think they are doing fine. However, if they want to hit a younger market, they should introduce the Trojan horse play like Tdorey states and then really up their social media presence, Facebook, twitter, instagram photos and definitely put out some much higher quality YouTube videos with younger fellas doing the woodworking and presentation, you know really try to put the potential buyer in the shoes of the presenter. I love old and reliable stuff, but I am a rarity for my age, the mid 30's crowd. However, I also love the new and love to keep an open mind and try new things, such as festool products which are very expensive, but most would consider "worth it" after having used it for a while. Their festool domino joiner is possibly one of the coolest joining systems out there. .

Anyways, I think that they are doing fine, but if they want to increase their market share in the 20-40 year old demographic, likely they'll need to really increase social media and YouTube penetration/exposure with compelling material that will grab the attention of the younger folks out there.

I'm curious about Festool marketing. Not being a Facebooker myself, my social media exposure is mostly second-hand, but I have seen some of their Youtube videos. Does Festool actively market via Facebook, etc., or is the product line cool because it is really good?

[JPG]

I think the Festool domino joiner is 'cool' because it is a superior concept/product. I do wonder about the durability of the cutter(very wild motion).

[Ed in Tampa]

I personally think they are doing fine. However, if they want to hit a younger market, they should introduce the Trojan horse play like Tdorey states and then really up their social media presence, Facebook, twitter, instagram photos and definitely put out some much higher quality YouTube videos with younger fellas doing the woodworking and presentation, you know really try to put the potential buyer in the shoes of the presenter. I love old and reliable stuff, but I am a rarity for my age, the mid 30's crowd. However, I also love the new and love to keep an open mind and try new things, such as festool products which are very expensive, but most would consider "worth it" after having used it for a while. Their festool domino joiner is possibly one of the coolest joining systems out there. .

Anyways, I think that they are doing fine, but if they want to increase their market share in the 20-40 year old demographic, likely they'll need to really increase social media and YouTube penetration/exposure with compelling material that will grab the attention of the younger folks out there.

I'm curious about Festool marketing. Not being a Facebooker myself, my social media exposure is mostly second-hand, but I have seen some of their Youtube videos. Does Festool actively market via Facebook, etc., or is the product line cool because it is really good?

Festool was actively marketed to pros years ago. Festool was sold through individual respresentatives/dealers/distributors.
I saw my first Festool saw about 25 years ago it was used on a Canadian manufacture horizontal panel saw. I since have followed the Festool product line. They have an excellent forum.

[tdorey]

Well, I never wanted to debate everyone here, but as you can see from what happened, Company was sold. I can say the "marketing" as we are calling it has greatly improved, There does seem to be a bit of interaction with the customers, the website has been updated, and the product line is being reviewed and streamlined. Supply chain continues to be a problem. But I would say an improvement.

I know as you get older, you resist change but if Ford can make and sell an electric pickup truck, then shopsmith can update and improve as well.

[JPG]

As has previously said by another in a different venue, "older folks do not dislike new stuff, they just do not like bad new stuff.

I leave it for y'all to decide which new stuff at SS is not good(bad).

Yes the website is a WIP, but there is hope it WILL be good(er).

Their new marketing hype is an improvement as long as you agree it's current direction is good.

Discontinuing the most unique attribute of a long standing business is IMHO not good new stuff. Good from a narrowly defined business standpoint, but the value to customers is diminished greatly. Streamlining works for aircraft and boats.

[RFGuy]

Surprised to see an 8 year old thread revived, but anyway. Gotta agree with JPG on this one. Also, who says that Ford making an electric pickup truck is an improvement? As a truck guy myself, all of my friends, family and etc. who know what a truck is supposed to be, what it is supposed to do, we laugh when we see an electric pickup anywhere. Only non truck buyers buy electric pickups. Their tow rating is abysmal, as is their range. They weigh an extra ton versus their ICE equivalent which only make them more dangerous in an accident. Don't even get me started on that abomination the Cybertruck which is a pseudo truck. As an electrical engineer, I recognize that battery technology (and the infrastructure to charge it) will need a revolutionary advance before electric cars/trucks make sense on this planet.

[dusty]

If I was in the market for a new shop tool I certainly would not rule out the Mark V Model 510/520. Mine have served me well and I put them through the paces from toys to homes/garages/work shops.

[tdorey]

The F150 comparison was just an example that an "old" company can try something new, and can innovate. My F150 still takes Gas. :-). Not professing that electric pickups make any sense.

[JPG]

I find it interesting that "FORD" is used as a reference to an 'old/non-innovative' firm.

I never considered that as such. Who made the model T(caused widespread cost effective horseless transportation) and a mass produced V8 motor?

Then there was all the pictures of Henry and his horseless carriage.

I also think it illustrative that Ford did need a bailout to survive.