Stand alone tools vs Shopsmith

8iowa · Post by **8iowa** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:40 pm

The recent thread "How can we help Shopsmith" has a lot of stand alone vs Shopsmith comments and this deserves separate consideration.

I'm heading to the U.P. friday morning. I have a Dodge 1500 pick up truck with a 6'4" bed with a snap on vinyl cover. In the bed of my truck I have a complete Shopsmith workshop; A 520 machine with all the floating tables, fence, four 27' connecting tubes two 5' extension tubes, a bandsaw, a jigsaw, a jointer, a belt sander, and assessories such as disk sander, mortising attachment, biscuit joiner, conical disk sander, bandsaw fence and circule cutter, taper jig, Incra 5000 sled, and numerious small boxes of smaller tools and accessories - in short - the only thing lacking to make this a total workshop is the planer, and I could actually find room for this too if necessary. Yes, I'll burn a little extra gas on this 1400 mile trip, but basically this is a very cheap move.

Now let's look at stand alone tools. We know that it is possible to purchase a complement of tools cheaper, or not much more than a Shopsmith, depending on the quality of the tools. We know that they would take up extra space, and probably also require some electrical upgrades, but what about weight? A ten inch cabinet saw weighs 450 lbs and up. A 14 inch bandsaw weighs 260 lbs, the 6" jointer weighs 315 lbs, a disk & belt sander (and this is only 10") weighs 110 lbs. Obviously this load of tools is way beyond my truck's capability. To move all this would cost big $$.

At least Woodcraft is honest. They state: "Items over 100 pounds in weight, or of an unusual size, must be shipped by common carrier. These are charged an additional amount over our regular Shipping & Handling charge to help cover this expense. This charge is for standard commercial delivery and is identified in the products copy. If the shipment is to a residence or if a lift gate service is required, additional fees may be charged by the freight company. Truck shipments are tail gate deliveries. The driver will not take the item off the truck, that is your responsibility."

So, unless you have a lot of friends on the Green Bay Packer's defensive line, you will not only pay a lot of extra shipping expensives, but have to find someone with a fork lift truck to help you unload these tools and get them in your garage or shop. Let's face it. People move around a lot today. If you change jobs and have to move to a different city in a few years, moving your shop tools will be difficult and expensive.

I've lived in seven states. Purchasing a Shopsmith 24 years ago was a smart decision.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 4:59 pm

8Iowa your going the wrong way it is getting cold up there.

All the snow birds are heading south.

Have a good and safe trip.
Ed

8iowa · Post by **8iowa** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 8:00 pm

Thanks Ed,

Traffic will be heavy on I 75 so I'll be super careful. Have a great Thanksgiving!

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 8:51 pm

8-iowa-

I loved your posting of this info. Happy Thanksgiving, and go safe!

reible · Post by **reible** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 10:09 pm

Hi,

Like how you thought this one through... hope it opens a few non-shopsmith peoples eyes.

I also hope you remembered your red jacket and snow scrapers. I know the western part of the UP has snow on the ground and your going to meet some of that white stuff for sure as the northern suburbs of Chicago are getting some now and then it's across the lake to greet you.

Have a safe trip, and great Thanksgiving!

Ed

ryanbp01 · Post by **ryanbp01** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 11:12 am

Fantasitc post. Enjoy the holiday!
BPR

scottss · Post by **scottss** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 12:01 pm

Great post 8-Iowa hope you have a safe trip and do you have a generator in the truck in case you need to setup along the way and get a wood fix?

Happy Thanksgiving to all and lets think of the many things we are thankful for:)

bartll · Post by **bartll** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 12:43 am

[quote="8iowa"]The recent thread "How can we help Shopsmith" has a lot of stand alone vs Shopsmith comments and this deserves separate consideration.

I'm heading to the U.P. friday morning. I have a Dodge 1500 pick up truck with a 6'4" bed with a snap on vinyl cover. In the bed of my truck I have a complete Shopsmith workshop]

"Purchasing a Shopsmith 24 years ago was a smart decision."

Your absolutely right I think the SS concept it great & I would like to have the OPR system. The complete system would make for more room in my shop to assemble things. But I couldn't get my money back out of the tools I have. Sigh so I'll just have to suffer with stand alone tools.

Your weights are slightly inflated. with the wings & fence removed I lowered my 1940 Unisaw down out of the back of my truck on to a dolly & wheeled it into my shop assembled it & set it upright by myself in about 45 minutes. I also wheeled my 14" band-saw into the shop myself. I put my Belsaw planer with 5 hp motor into the mobile base easily by myself, my 6" jointer with the custom shop built cabinet doesn't weigh 315#.

I did haul a 10 contractors saw, 2 shapers, a 6" jointer & 10 RAS & compressor plus a whole bunch of misc. hand tools air hoses nail guns & house hold stuff in one trip in a 8' truck bed.

I would talk about my SS if I had one but all I have is stand alone tools so don't think I am picking on anyone here. But I am trying to strike a balance. There are a few of us in the world that don't have an SS & it is possible to work wood with either an SS or S-A-T. There are some real neat things about the SS which I am slowly learning as I have time to watch the clips on this site. I am glad this site is here & hope you won't mind me asking questions & putting in my point of view from time to time.

Bart