Back orders at Shopsmith

[ryanbp01]

What bothers me most concerning backorders is evidently there aren't new machines being built. I would think if there were parts to build a new machine, then it shouldn't be that hard to replace a piece you need for turning.
BPR

[dusty]

Could it be that Shopsmith is in need of particular parts that they cannot acquire.

Suppose that Shopsmith needs the headstock and carriage and suppose the company that did the castings has gone belly up. Not just anyone can do those castings.

[kd6vpe]

They found the inventory error. I called customer service today and they immediatly knew what they had sent me before even asking my name. Wow they have the correct part shipped already without me having to ask them. They found the error two day after sending me the wrong thing. Tells me that they are still the SS we all remember just a little slower is all.

[qtndas01]

I have been waiting three months for the velcro disc for the 12" disc. I would be upset but I found one at Woodvraft. What gets me is that if Woodcraft can get them why can't Shopsmith? When I called they said they had to find a new provider and were waiting for new ones. I would think that type of supply should be in stock. It wouldn't take up alot of space or capital to have in storage.

[billmayo]

Could it be that Shopsmith is in need of particular parts that they cannot acquire.

Suppose that Shopsmith needs the headstock and carriage and suppose the company that did the castings has gone belly up. Not just anyone can do those castings.

It was my understanding from talking to various Shopsmith personnel during the Owners Weekend in July 2008 that all the foundry companies that Shopsmith had been using had gone chap 7 (belly up) then. I could not find out if Shopsmith got any of their molds back at that time but I doubt it as the courts and banks try to hang on to all the resources when a company goes chapt 7. It may take Shopsmith some time to find reasonable priced suppliers but I am sure they will.

[dusty]

It was my understanding from talking to various Shopsmith personnel during the Owners Weekend in July 2008 that all the foundry companies that Shopsmith had been using had gone chap 7 (belly up) then. I could not find out if Shopsmith got any of their molds back at that time but I doubt it as the courts and banks try to hang on to all the resources when a company goes chapt 7. It may take Shopsmith some time to find reasonable priced suppliers but I am sure they will.

That is strange, isn't it. The bank hangs onto the resources for their value as colateral until the need goes away and the colateral no longer has any value. What happens to it then?

But, when I think about it, I am doing much the same thing. I am hanging onto all of the Shopsmith colateral (even used drive belts) that I have because someday I might need something that I have. Then one day the kids will take over and much of that colateral will appear to them to be junk and the guy in the big green truck will haul it away on Wednesday morning.

[JPG]

I took the time to look at this and compare the prices from the accessory catalog. Do owners really buy from these people? The markup was, in my opinion, unbelievable! Is this actually a markup or does Shopsmith make a profit from this? Or is this the actual price do to an increase in materials? I have ordered a replacement lathe arm since the original one cracked apart. I would think Shopsmith would have this in stock since it is part of the original equipment. It has been on backorder for a few weeks now and after looking the price comparison I am content to wait awhile longer. But this raises a question that I believe Shopsmith must answer: are they going to use this company as an outlet where owners order parts or has this company gotten a list of Shopsmith's suppliers and offered more money in order to drive Shopsmith out of parts altogether?

BPR

I am under the impression that ss does NOT sell to them at a wholesale price! Therefore in addition to the exchange rate difference, they must add a markup starting at the ss price.

It may be that ss has agreed to NOT ship direct to Canada as a concession to them.

[dusty]

I am under the impression that ss does NOT sell to them at a wholesale price! Therefore in addition to the exchange rate difference, they must add a markup starting at the ss price.

It may be that ss has agreed to NOT ship direct to Canada as a concession to them.

SUPPOSITION: This discussion is shear supposition unless some knows first hand that:

1. Shopsmith will not sell and ship outside the continent.

and

2. If they do, they always sell at retail.

We have had much discussion here with our Canadian friends and some with members in other countries but I do not know that these questions have been answered.

I am sure that they will be, probably soon.

[Ed in Tampa]

It was my understanding from talking to various Shopsmith personnel during the Owners Weekend in July 2008 that all the foundry companies that Shopsmith had been using had gone chap 7 (belly up) then. I could not find out if Shopsmith got any of their molds back at that time but I doubt it as the courts and banks try to hang on to all the resources when a company goes chapt 7. It may take Shopsmith some time to find reasonable priced suppliers but I am sure they will.

Bill
I don't doubt that is what you were told but I seriously doubt Shopsmith let their master molds out of their hands. If there were master molds I'm sure SS still has them. Also with the new mold making process just having one piece of what you want it is very easy to make a new mold. In fact with the new CNC casting and cutting machines all they have to do is scan a part to reproduce it.

In popular mechanics mag they did an article on a machine much like an ink jet printer that printed in plastic. In a relatively short time it was able to make a full size plastic wrench that could be used to make a mold to cast high quality steel wrenches.

I don't think molds are the problem. I think finding someone to do a relatively small quantity on demand at a price they can afford is the problem. If SS had the money for say 10,000 castings they would be easily and speedily done.

[dusty]

Bill
I don't doubt that is what you were told but I seriously doubt Shopsmith let their master molds out of their hands. If there were master molds I'm sure SS still has them. Also with the new mold making process just having one piece of what you want it is very easy to make a new mold. In fact with the new CNC casting and cutting machines all they have to do is scan a part to reproduce it.

In popular mechanics mag they did an article on a machine much like an ink jet printer that printed in plastic. In a relatively short time it was able to make a full size plastic wrench that could be used to make a mold to cast high quality steel wrenches.

I don't think molds are the problem. I think finding someone to do a relatively small quantity on demand at a price they can afford is the problem. If SS had the money for say 10,000 castings they would be easily and speedily done.

First let us make certain we understand this discussion. The subject was back orders and along the way an theoretical explanation was given as to why back order time might be excessive. That supposition being an example of molds not being available for a critical part. No one knows that to be the case.

Yes, with the current technology, if someone has the money for say 10,000 castings they could easily and speedily be done. But I think there is still another supposition at play here. Does Shopsmith have that kind of money available in these hard times.

Doing small quantities utilizing that new technology is likely cost prohibitive.

However, I watched a presentation with Jay Leno and his collection of cars a short while back and he was having parts created using that technology and he was not doing large quantities.

The bottom line - be patient - these times will change and we will all get our parts.