Shopsmith Forums

Sure manufacture locations have shifted. What was once made in in the US moved to Japan, it then moved to Taiwan, then it may have gone to Korea or straight to where most is made today China.

Did quality reduce in each move? Perhaps but it is possible quality actually improved as new ways to make steel and better engineering came into play, not to mention new technologies and new manufacturing methods.

Many of the saws that sell today are reversed engineered products that are actually improvements over the original in both material and engineering. Of course some are of less quality.

Fact today a lower priced $500 tablesaw has many more safety and convenience features than a $1000 tablesaw of 1980 ever had. Things like easily adjustable and accuracy fence, miter gauges, saw guards, riving knifes, dust collection, and many have retractable wheels and methods to move the machine around.

Many good points here, but I have to question, can I buy parts that are going to wear out? Can you find the right bearing and easily replace it like you can with a SS? Will belts be available 20 or 30 years from now? Oh, yes, you can probably find them, but what difficulties will you have replacing them? I don't know, just wondering. I know if you buy a sander from Sears today, next year you most likely won't be able to get parts for it. BTDT. Won't buy any Sears power tools.