Shopsmith tools are too expenisve?

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:33 pm

Randy's last post made me think!

Do both 'coffee' and 'Shopsmith' fall in the catagory of performance enhancing substances?:rolleyes:
I enjoy both!

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 3:57 pm

I just figured my Shopsmith has cost me around 18 cents a day to own. And that figure will keep reducing as time goes on.

Randy · Post by **Randy** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:34 pm

It's all in the way you look at the numbers. Just like saving for retirement think long term.

cincinnati, would you rather explain $ 2000.00 or 18 cents a day to SWMBO?

8iowa, I had the coffee mug years ago, along with the ball cap.

My father used to tell me buy the best and you'll only buy it once, buy for today and you'll be looking to change it tomorrow.

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:15 pm

Randy wrote: ........My father used to tell me buy the best and you'll only buy it once, buy for today and you'll be looking to change it tomorrow.

That is good advice. If every American followed it, we would not be financing China.

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 9:16 am

Randy wrote:It's all in the way you look at the numbers. Just like saving for retirement think long term.

cincinnati, would you rather explain $ 2000.00 or 18 cents a day to SWMBO?

8iowa, I had the coffee mug years ago, along with the ball cap.

My father used to tell me buy the best and you'll only buy it once, buy for today and you'll be looking to change it tomorrow.

SWMBO??? LOL!!!! I am a single man so the tool budget is wide open. LOL!!!!

wlhayesmfs · Post by **wlhayesmfs** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 12:13 pm

I think I would have to agree with most of you on the expense. I longed for a SS for years before I was able to get the OK on a new 510 in 1995. Have built several baby cradles for grandkids and may toys. My 510 never failed me. If I had a problem it was operator error and not a machine problem and since I made a dedicated line for power it has all the power I could need. Talking about the old units I have picked up a Brownie and three older ER's and all perform great. I have added the bandsaw, planer joiner, and jigsaw (2) to my list of tools and plan on finding more. My next will be the heavy duty lathe rest and the speed reducer. So I have and ER from 49, 51 &52 and a brownie from around 62 and I cannot ask for better tools. Like you say I can still find parts. Try and find parts for a 55 year old craftsman table saw and see what you find.
I love the hands on show and hope SS keeps moving in that directions.

Gampa · Post by **Gampa** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 7:04 pm

As with most of the people here I have a combination of New and Used equipment.

I bought my 510 and Joiner new in 95 but never got around to using it much until about two years ago, since then it has been upgraded to the 520. The dust collector and OPR were added in the last two years

The belt sander (1950's Magma), planer (1970's), and band saw (1980's) were bought used on eBay. The planer was the most challenging to bring back into shape, the knives were duller then butter knives and a magnet had come lose in the motor and had to be glued back into position. The Band Saw was upgraded with a new table and tires. The belt sander had been very well taken care of and I though perhaps it had set in the corner never having been used as the paint was in pristine condition. It wasn't until I took the belt off to put on a new one that I saw any wear at all. I did upgrade the dust chute on it but almost felt guilty for doing so.

What other system, woodworking or other wise, could you find today that with a little maintenance and upgrades can be state of the art and working factory new five decades after being built? Not to mention great customer service were the reps speak English as their native tongue.

chip · Post by **chip** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:43 am

I haven't been on the SS forum for awhile so thought I would stop by and see what's happening. Anyone heard of Festool? I'm sure you have but you think SS is expensive. Try the new Festool Kapex MS coming out in July. Guess it'll be around $1300. All of a sudden the SS has new value.

As much as I liked my SS I found some of the accessories to expensive. I retired last year and planned on having a woodworking shop. I've stepped up the woodworking a notch you might say. New PM 2000 TS and 8" jointer. Shopsmith still has a place in my shop because to replace other features the SS has would cost a whole bundle more. Neighbor has one stored in a barn and I picked it up for $50. Plan on restoring it but haven't decided where it will fit in the shop but I'll find a place for it. I'm thinking if nothing else a powerstation for the Bandsaw. I like the ability to change speeds. I may modify it a bit and use it for drill press. After sitting in the barn for years the motor still runs great. Needs a little tune up though. Have a Good one.

pinkiewerewolf · Post by **pinkiewerewolf** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:50 pm

On one of our farms the land lords became like family to us, we ate meals together on occasion and they would tell us about the good old days...The Great Depression, and the lessons they took from that era.
Of all the stories I'll never forget two of them, and one applies itself here very well.
"Quality remains long after the price has been forgotten".
We might have been discussing farm equipment and buildings but it applies to woodworking tools and many other purchases we'll make.
It just makes saving for something all the sweeter, even in this age of instant gratification.
I have a 1950's SS in the garage.
My dad still uses his 1930's IH and JD tractors.

chrispitude · Post by **chrispitude** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 2:26 pm

My favorite version of this saying is:

"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price has been forgotten."

I recite this three times before I set foot in any Harbor Freight store...

- Chris

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