Welcome to the Forum Larry. I will throw in a couple of points I have been thinking about related to the "mother ship". First, I believe SS grew as we Baby Boomers came of age and started buying homes, building a shop and SSs to go in them. Many of us here have more than one machine, but our first was usually newly minted and then upgraded through the years. As has been noted here, the SS lasts forever. Many of us are now in our 60's and buy more parts or upgrades then new machines.
Second, the generations coming along (X-generation and Millennial) are smaller in numbers and are having a harder time with careers. They are struggling economically and have less disposal income. More of them are living at home with their parents. Since 07 it has become harder to buy a home and apartment living is way up. Divorce rates are also high among all groups and that divides any wealth. I just returned from the Mid-West Tool Collectors convention in Springfield, Ill and we are almost all Baby Boomers or older.
These demographics have to have an impact on SS. I've complained about parts prices and S&H too. But as has been noted here already, darn grateful that the enterprise SS is still beaming products down.
Once again, welcome to the club.
Shopsmith website
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WmZiggy
williamz@aol.com
"... and it was after long searching that I found the carpenter's chest, which was indeed a very useful prize to me, and much more valuable than a ship loading of gold." Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe, 1719
williamz@aol.com
"... and it was after long searching that I found the carpenter's chest, which was indeed a very useful prize to me, and much more valuable than a ship loading of gold." Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe, 1719
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JPG
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 35600
- Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:42 pm
- Location: Lexington, Ky (TAMECAT territory)
Add to that the absence of shop courses in 'the schools' and the throw away mentality caused by products 'unrepairable' and 'unmakable' by DIYers.
We are expderiencing a generation(or 2) of consumers, not makers. There are exceptions, and with a little 'luck' the masses will discover them and mimmick them eventually.
Welcome to the electronic age!:)
We are expderiencing a generation(or 2) of consumers, not makers. There are exceptions, and with a little 'luck' the masses will discover them and mimmick them eventually.
Welcome to the electronic age!:)
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╟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
╟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
You don't need a SS, just build it in SketchUp. Then pull out the 3D printer.JPG wrote:Welcome to the electronic age!:)
SS 500(09/1980), DC3300, jointer, bandsaw, belt sander, Strip Sander, drum sanders,molder, dado, biscuit joiner, universal lathe tool rest, Oneway talon chuck, router bits & chucks and a De Walt 735 planer,a #5,#6, block planes. ALL in a 100 square foot shop.
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Bob
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Bob
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idcook
- Gold Member
- Posts: 472
- Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 4:48 pm
- Location: New York (Alley cat country), New York
Welcome,
It is a labor of love, my friend.
I dare say women and children cost more. Yet...
Sing the praises of your ShopSmith. Note little it's rigors. As, in time, these too become part of its' appeal. The hunt is part of the game.
Esoteric? Perhaps.
Be forearmed, this state of mind awaits you.
You are a Smithie.
Go now, and Enjoy.
It is a labor of love, my friend.
I dare say women and children cost more. Yet...
Sing the praises of your ShopSmith. Note little it's rigors. As, in time, these too become part of its' appeal. The hunt is part of the game.
Esoteric? Perhaps.
Be forearmed, this state of mind awaits you.
You are a Smithie.
Go now, and Enjoy.