Exciting News From Your Friends At Shopsmith

[eartigas]

I would like to see full technical specs of the new head such as power, AC voltage it can operate (120;240?), type of motor, etc.
Is this info somewhere?

[riot_nrrd]

This is from the e-mail announcments page -

Now, you (and the 600,000+ other Shopsmith MARK V Owners in America) can upgrade your MARK Vs to the next level... and get even MORE performance than you've enjoyed thus far !
MORE POWER: Upgrade your MARK V now and you’ll have 1-3/4 hp @ 120 volts (2 hp @ 240 volts) and, thanks to its unique design, at least TWICE the torque at every speed -- so you can literally blaze through the thickest, toughest lumber with your Table Saw, Jointer, Thickness Planer and more without slowing down or stalling. It's the kind of power once reserved for high-priced commercial machinery... and it can be yours, with your trusty Shopsmith MARK V !
BROADER SPEED RANGE: Upgrade your MARK V's speed range to an amazing 250rpm to 10,000rpm, overnight ! On the low end, you'll be able to bore huge holes for clocks and similar projects with giant multi-spur bits or Forstner bits... and turn large diameter platters, bowls or spindles on your lathe... all without fear of burning your bits, chisels or wood.
On the high end, you'll enjoy speeds comparable to a commercial Shaper for shaping or routing edges, surfaces, dadoes and grooves faster than ever before with super-smooth results and no feathering chattering or splintering.
RUN FORWARD OR REVERSE: Upgrade now to enjoy the benefits of electronically controlled forward or reverse operation and you'll be able to perform bi-directional sanding, with-the-grain cuts and safer, under-the-workpiece shaping operations that were never before possible.
LOWERED POWER REQUIREMENTS: No more start-up power surges that dimmed your lights and often required slow-blow circuit protection. No more tripped fuses or circuit breakers caused by operating your MARK V and Dust Collector at the same time. Even save money on power consumption throughout your working cycle with the new, Hi-Tech, Hi-Efficiency DVR Motor and its computerized controller.
ENJOY THE SHOPSMITH QUALITY YOU'VE ALWAYS EXPECTED... AND THE WARRANTIES THAT PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT: Like every Shopsmith product, you can always count on the new PowerPro Headstock meeting our same, high-quality Shopsmith standards of protection for your tool investment. You'll get a full 5-Year Warranty on the Motor, a 2-Year Warranty on all Electronic Components, Belts and Bearings (including parts and labor in both cases) and a Lifetime Warranty on materials and workmanship !

[dusty]

The new PowerPro looks impressive and I would love to have one out in the shop but I will have to wait (maybe a very long time). Mister Folkerth is a bit too proud of this new version of the Mark V.

I conclude from the video shown that there is a new motor, a power supply, a new idler shaft and the control panel. All of this comes with a drill guide for the holes that must be drilled.

Is there more or is that it?

[paulrussell]

Looks like the do-it-yourself upgrade yields an unexpected benefit in my case. The left-over parts will allow me to upgrade my Dad's machine to a dual-bearing quill (the leftover old one from my machine.)

[Gene Howe]

Hmmmm....Looks like I'll be stuck in the 20th century for a while longer.

I don't drill or do any turning with my SS. Just ripping, some crosscutting and mitering. I can't see a $1500 (+ -) advantage. Am I missing something?

[JPG]

The new PowerPro looks impressive and I would love to have one out in the shop but I will have to wait (maybe a very long time). Mister Folkerth is a bit too proud of this new version of the Mark V.

I conclude from the video shown that there is a new motor, a power supply, a new idler shaft and the control panel. All of this comes with a drill guide for the holes that must be drilled.

Is there more or is that it?

A new two bearing quill, a new main shaft/bearings, a new 'upper' poly-v belt, a new power cord, drill bits,longer poly-v motor belt, motor mounting bracket. EDIT: Looks like a new power switch also(for the older Type B headstock machines)

And hurrah, ya kin remove the motor pan INDEPENDENT of the motor mount!!!

Off by a factor of 2 for my wallet!(%$$%$&^%^) !

Only $400 difference from total new to do-it-yourself - Makes ya wonder if they really want to sell a 'kit'. With the total new, ya keep yer old one!

[paulrussell]

Only $300 difference from total new to do-it-yourself - Makes ya wonder if they really want to sell a 'kit'. With the total new, ya keep yer old one!

That's what I thought at first, but then I recalled that the going rate 'round here for an 80's era Shopsmith is not much over $300, and that includes a lot more than just a headstock. Of course if you have a newly rebuilt and headstock that's a whole different matter.

Other than the overall price, the options all look great.

[etc92guy]

This may change Shopsmith economics ( Shopsmithnomics? ). With setting the trade-in value of a old headstock at $200.00, there may be a jump in prices for a while ( well, the headstock alone is worth 200 buck)

Depends on how many jump for the upgrade.

[JPG]

This may change Shopsmith economics ( Shopsmithnomics? ). With setting the trade-in value of a old headstock at $200.00, there may be a jump in prices for a while ( well, the headstock alone is worth 200 buck)

Depends on how many jump for the upgrade.

Wonder how they will handle 'junk' headstocks submitted for upgrade?

Come to think of it, all they really need is a non-cracked/non-broken casting. Wonder it they would accept only that as a trade in??????

[forrestb]

Since 1) my current 1976 version has demonstrated superb reliability and 2) those prices!, I think I will continue to turn the speed down before shutoff to allow a new start-up without CB trip.

Maybe in 10 or 15 years I'll pop for a PowerPro if its reliability is demonstrated. Having worked in electronics for 40 years, I have a healthy suspect of new electronic articles.