! Genuinely Exciting News !! -- From Your Friends At Shopsmith

[robinson46176]

Personally I would expect at least a reasonable flurry of advertising when the new headstock is fully released. Just my thoughts...
I suspect that they are holding back on advertising now so they will have enough to use on the new one. I would...
I for one try to do my part to always speak well of them especially when someone that has never even touched one starts bad mouthing them because his third cousin's brother-in-law heard something while driving past a sawmill...
I own a batch of email list on Yahoo with from 300 to 1,000 members and those members are all familiar with the name Shopsmith.

[riot_nrrd]

When is the last time you saw a Shopsmith magazine review?

Well, when was the last time you saw a new Shopsmith product to put in a magazine? They are not going to be writing reviews on the new Kreg bandsaw fence for Shopsmith, or the Incra miter gauge for Shopsmith... they will want major tools, and SPTs are unlikely to make the cut since they only work if you have a Shopsmith or a Powerstand.

Hopefully, we'll see some editors take a few laps with the new headstock and write some reviews about not just the headstock, but the whole Shopsmith system and company. I would be really surprised if Shopsmith was betting all their time and money on a product with no plans to show or demo it in some way. Of course, crazier things have happened...

As far as home improvement stores, Chuck pointed out that it was actually a "large supplier of woodworking tools," so I stand corrected. Maybe Woodcraft (did they ever have a relationship in the past)? Maybe a mail-order house?

RiotNrrd

[dusty]

Yes, Shopsmith has had a business relationship with Woodcraft. I bought mine at the Dallas County Fair in 1986 and took delivery at the Woodcraft Store in Dallas. Several of the subsequently purchased accessories were from Woodcraft.

I arranged for financing through Woodcraft. That was not a wise decision and I paid it off in less than a year to minimize the interest paid.

[Ed in Tampa]

Yes, Shopsmith has had a business relationship with Woodcraft. I bought mine at the Dallas County Fair in 1986 and took delivery at the Woodcraft Store in Dallas. Several of the subsequently purchased accessories were from Woodcraft.

I arranged for financing through Woodcraft. That was not a wise decision and I paid it off in less than a year to minimize the interest paid.

I'm of the opinion the Shopsmith / Woodcraft relationship opened doors for Woodcraft. I know in this area we had a Shopsmith store that when it closed a Woodcraft store then opened. I relaly believe SS laid the foundation for the success of that store.

When the Shopsmith store first opened and even the fact it was in probably the worst location you could put a store it was the talk of the town. Woodworkers not just Shopsmith owners were coming from all over to buy equipment and supplies that weren't available elsewhere.

However this all changed when policy changes in Shopsmith caused managment changes at the store. It became a ghost town but I know from the talk at the woodworkers clubs and things that people still wanted a woodworking store. I believe the present Woodcraft store was a result.

[cv3]

I remember SS doing how to show’s at Lowe’s. The big box stores are the only woodworking stores left in our area. I do not know how it is in other areas but we had our Woodcraft store close here in Mobile. The nearest Woodcraft store is now 5 hour away. I think it is like carving, there are not many younger woodcarvers. If it can’t be done on a computer most kids do not want to learn it. And with the schools cutting back shop classes are becoming a thing of the past. I am afraid that SS and other tool makers are going to be fighting for an ever decreasing market.