How many Shopsmiths are there out there?

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:40 am

Hi
Everyone I just got an e-mail flyer from Infinity Cutting tools offering various products that are machine dependant (made specifically for a particular manufacture or model of machine). Shopsmith was not in the list yet they included what I counsider a small user base saws like Ridgid's 3650.

I was thinking there has to be more Shopsmiths in the world than Ridgid Ts3650 but I have no idea if that is fact.

Does anyone have a fairly accurate guessimate of how many Shopsmiths are out there? To be useful the count should be broken down by number of model 500 and number of 510/520's.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:50 am

Ed in Tampa wrote:Hi
Everyone I just got an e-mail flyer from Infinity Cutting tools offering various products that are machine dependant (made specifically for a particular manufacture or model of machine). Shopsmith was not in the list yet they included what I counsider a small user base saws like Ridgid's 3650.

I was thinking there has to be more Shopsmiths in the world than Ridgid Ts3650 but I have no idea if that is fact.

Does anyone have a fairly accurate guessimate of how many Shopsmiths are out there? To be useful the count should be broken down by number of model 500 and number of 510/520's.

I don't know how you would even go about gathering this information.

While Shopsmith was using distinct serial numbers you could get a pretty good estimate by interpolating the serial number data. When they transitioned to data code, it seems that only Shopsmith knows for sure. Good luck.

pascalore · Post by **pascalore** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 11:41 am

As with cars, many were built, few survived. There are old cars but not nearly as many as were made. Of course Shopsmith is a tank and they don't break down, you have to blow them up. I'm sure that more Shopsmiths, in all their various designs, exist than we will ever know. You don't just throw out such an interesting tool even if you don't use it.

I heard about a guy in New York who was contacted by a lady who wanted to get rid of two huge crates her late husband had in storage. He bought them off of her fairly cheap considering each crate contained a model T Ford in factory fresh condition.

I wonder how many Shopsmiths are still in their original boxes in somebody's basement?:rolleyes:

P.

ryanbp01 · Post by **ryanbp01** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 12:16 pm

After looking at the number of threads relating to restoration, not to mention the second-hand market where forum members have purchased their Shopsmiths I would imagine there are hundreds, perhaps thousands still in use. One suggestion would be to use the polling information posted on this forum. It might be a good place to start.
BPR

calver · Post by **calver** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 3:33 pm

You could use a free survey tool sea monkey and create a survey

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 3:40 pm

Okay let me ask it another way. Since it is my guess there are far more Shopsmiths out there than there are Ridgid TS3650 tablesaws which are only sold by Home Depot I would think most accessory tool manufactures are missing the boat when they include Ridgid TS3650 exclusive products in their product line and not Shopsmiths. Is that a reasonable assumption on my part or not?

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 3:48 pm

How many Ridgid TS3650 tablesaws are out there?

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:20 pm

When is topic came up in the past, I believe it was said that Shopsmith built over 1 million units over the life of the company. Making it the most popular tablesaw/drill press/lathe... But it the past Shopsmith was not willing to let third parties market Shopsmith accessories and or even use the name to promote accessories. This is why you can buy Kreg Shopsmith accessories only from Shopsmith but not from other Kreg outlets like Rockler or Woodcrafters. Carter sells several Shopsmith bandsaw accessories but only if you call. For Lathe Chucks you usually see adapters listed as 5/8" female instead of Shopsmith.

I saw the same ad this morning and wondered the same thing.

Something when I see an accessory I need I contact the vendor and most of the time they have it though sometimes with a longer delay.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 5:36 pm

Ed in Tampa wrote:Okay let me ask it another way. Since it is my guess there are far more Shopsmiths out there than there are Ridgid TS3650 tablesaws which are only sold by Home Depot I would think most accessory tool manufactures are missing the boat when they include Ridgid TS3650 exclusive products in their product line and not Shopsmiths. Is that a reasonable assumption on my part or not?

Yes, Ed. I believe that is a reasonable assumption.

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 6:56 pm

paulmcohen wrote:When is topic came up in the past, I believe it was said that Shopsmith built over 1 million units over the life of the company. Making it the most popular tablesaw/drill press/lathe... But it the past Shopsmith was not willing to let third parties market Shopsmith accessories and or even use the name to promote accessories. This is why you can buy Kreg Shopsmith accessories only from Shopsmith but not from other Kreg outlets like Rockler or Woodcrafters. Carter sells several Shopsmith bandsaw accessories but only if you call. For Lathe Chucks you usually see adapters listed as 5/8" female instead of Shopsmith.

I saw the same ad this morning and wondered the same thing.

Something when I see an accessory I need I contact the vendor and most of the time they have it though sometimes with a longer delay.

Unwittingly, I may have contributed to the Shopsmith/Kreg "alliance". Right after Kreg began selling their miter gauge, I called them and told them that I wanted one but they'd have to mill the bar to fit the SS table. The guy I talked to said that he would contact SS and get the spec.s and mill it for me.
He did just that and, I got the unit in about 15 days.
Smaller outfits like Kreg and Miterset and Carter can probably accommodate us oddballs easier than those huge accessory manufacturers who probably listen only to their marketing people.