Good point. The site may not support Flash, PHP, Perl, Python, or the other tools that come with a full-featured web host. I don't think I've seen anything that could not be done with straight HTML and minimal extensions.heathicus wrote: And, it is not cheap to build a modern, dynamic web site. Something tells me that if they can't even afford real web hosting, then a complete web site overhaul is out of the question.
Why I didn't buy a new Shopsmith
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paulrussell
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 675
- Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2010 10:35 am
- Location: Dewitt MI
Paul
520 PowerPro, Planer, Bandsaw, Jointer, Belt Sander, 20" Scroll Saw, Dust Collector, conical disc
Also: 3D printers, and a homebrew CNC
520 PowerPro, Planer, Bandsaw, Jointer, Belt Sander, 20" Scroll Saw, Dust Collector, conical disc
Also: 3D printers, and a homebrew CNC
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JPG
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 35457
- Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:42 pm
- Location: Lexington, Ky (TAMECAT territory)
charlese wrote:Saw that and also deleted my answer. No apology needed!
Are you two referring to post # 17 and #19?
No need for apologies indicated in either one!IMHO
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
╟JPG ╢
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
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paulrussell
- Platinum Member
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- Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2010 10:35 am
- Location: Dewitt MI
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woodburner
- Gold Member
- Posts: 498
- Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2006 2:35 am
- Location: Visalia, CA
- Contact:
Boostfan,
Sorry that I have to disagree with you. I am friends with both past 'TA' instructors that worked in the western region the past ten years before they were let go in 2008.
They both have told me that Shopsmith made more money (in profits) from the Traveling Academy than any other means the company had in place at the time, including the store demos and the website. And that is after all the costs were paid for the Traveling Academy. The 'TA' paid for itself and then some big time.
The reason they ended the program wasn't a lack of making money on the 'TA's' part, but rather the company deciding to put the 'TA' on a shoestring budget, take the profits they made from the 'TA' and put it towards hiring a consulting firm (which turned out to be a big bust) and in turn running the budget for the 'TA' dry. When they paid off the consulting firm, they had nothing left to keep the 'TA' on the road.
Now the company has put all their money into trying to develop the "PowerPro", a system that has already been created and offered by several other companies. Ever heard of variable speed lathes. Also, as I mentioned earlier, the Smitty company has had an electronic variable speed drive in the "Total Shop" for years, which is a glorified clone of the Shopsmith Mark V. Shopsmith announced the creation of the "PowerPro" a year ago, but it hasn't shown up on the market yet. Since this system has already been around for quite awhile, I can't see it being Shopsmith's golden opportunity.
I feel they would have been better off investing money into bringing back the Traveling Academy, the most requested item that current owners and those thinking about buying a Shopsmith have been asking them to bring back since they decided to end it.
How many of you would rather spend a thousand dollars on a "PowerPro", or have the chance to attend the Traveling Academy where you can learn all about the Shopsmith Woodworking System from a trained Shopsmith instructor? I vote for the Traveling Academy.
Sorry that I have to disagree with you. I am friends with both past 'TA' instructors that worked in the western region the past ten years before they were let go in 2008.
They both have told me that Shopsmith made more money (in profits) from the Traveling Academy than any other means the company had in place at the time, including the store demos and the website. And that is after all the costs were paid for the Traveling Academy. The 'TA' paid for itself and then some big time.
The reason they ended the program wasn't a lack of making money on the 'TA's' part, but rather the company deciding to put the 'TA' on a shoestring budget, take the profits they made from the 'TA' and put it towards hiring a consulting firm (which turned out to be a big bust) and in turn running the budget for the 'TA' dry. When they paid off the consulting firm, they had nothing left to keep the 'TA' on the road.
Now the company has put all their money into trying to develop the "PowerPro", a system that has already been created and offered by several other companies. Ever heard of variable speed lathes. Also, as I mentioned earlier, the Smitty company has had an electronic variable speed drive in the "Total Shop" for years, which is a glorified clone of the Shopsmith Mark V. Shopsmith announced the creation of the "PowerPro" a year ago, but it hasn't shown up on the market yet. Since this system has already been around for quite awhile, I can't see it being Shopsmith's golden opportunity.
I feel they would have been better off investing money into bringing back the Traveling Academy, the most requested item that current owners and those thinking about buying a Shopsmith have been asking them to bring back since they decided to end it.
How many of you would rather spend a thousand dollars on a "PowerPro", or have the chance to attend the Traveling Academy where you can learn all about the Shopsmith Woodworking System from a trained Shopsmith instructor? I vote for the Traveling Academy.
Sawdust & Shavings,
Woodburner:o
Woodburner:o
There are two things that came to mind as I was reading this thread: 1) Shopsmith did not build the machine to become obsolete. Look at the number of people on this forum who have gotten their machines second-hand. 2) look at the number of folks who are still using a 10er. It amazes me that the company still makes parts which will work on this machine.
As far as my large purchases are concerned, I am toward the end of making large purchases through Shopsmith, with the possible exception of the proposed Powerpro upgrade. Other than spare parts or attachments such as the Kreg system for the bandsaw.
As far as the website is concerned, I can't think of another manufacturer that provides a website not only for it's customer/owners but for others to join in as well.
BPR
As far as my large purchases are concerned, I am toward the end of making large purchases through Shopsmith, with the possible exception of the proposed Powerpro upgrade. Other than spare parts or attachments such as the Kreg system for the bandsaw.
As far as the website is concerned, I can't think of another manufacturer that provides a website not only for it's customer/owners but for others to join in as well.
BPR
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paulrussell
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 675
- Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2010 10:35 am
- Location: Dewitt MI
A few off the top of my head:ryanbp01 wrote:As far as the website is concerned, I can't think of another manufacturer that provides a website not only for it's customer/owners but for others to join in as well.
Festool
Amazon (Kindle ereader forums)
Barnes&Noble (Nook ereader forums)
Gibson Guitars
Palm Forums (PDAs and Cell Phones)
Google Sketchup
Paul
520 PowerPro, Planer, Bandsaw, Jointer, Belt Sander, 20" Scroll Saw, Dust Collector, conical disc
Also: 3D printers, and a homebrew CNC
520 PowerPro, Planer, Bandsaw, Jointer, Belt Sander, 20" Scroll Saw, Dust Collector, conical disc
Also: 3D printers, and a homebrew CNC