Shopsmith Forums

reible wrote:Perhaps shopsmith needs to add this to there moto:

"Life is too short to own just one Shopsmith."

Ed

dickg1 wrote:I purchased my "Goldie" new (in 1963) when I was 30 years old. Being in the USAF it made a great deal of sense to have an adaptable tool for wood working. Through the years I acquired several SPTs and used them with my "Goldie".

It is now 50 years after I purchased that "Goldie". The SPTs have gotten a great deal heavier and with Bill Mayo's help I have added two SPT storage racks which just happen to have a head stock installed in each.

I purchased my first SS because it was a portable and adaptable power tool. That tool has served me for 50 years. I now have a PowerPro headstock installed on my original frame. The original headstock, on a mini, is supporting my band and scroll saws and a final mini addition is working with my jointer and belt sander.

I guess the point I am making is that as I grow older I have found that rather than having to abandon my original power tool because I now have difficulty lifting and aligning SPTs, as needed, the system design allows me to adapt and use my tools within a reasonable space (1/4 of a two car garage).

If the principle criterion is to store the SS in the space of a bicycle it may be that the operating arena would be severely restrictive for it's use. I maintain that it is the unique ability of the product to grow and adapt to changing needs (i.e. The aging of it's user). To inhabit my available space with stand-alone tools that would duplicate what I have at my disposal would occupy all of the space I have available and leave no room to do useful work. I made a wise decision (second only to marrying a woman who has ignored my faults for 60 years) by getting that "Goldie" 50 years ago.

Dick

JPG wrote:For over 40 years I made do with the Goldie that I purchased new(with jointer used as a sales incentive['free'] and a few 'extras' purchased over the years as needed.

For a while there was a SS store in the Florence(KY) mall that I visited occasionally, but purchased nothing(I did get some SS shop towels from a friend for Christmas one year).

Along came the internet and I rediscovered SS.

From there came the announcement of the impending dispersal sale.

At that time I began watching E-Bay for 'spare' parts in case SS went completely away.

Bought a 510 as a result of being on E-Bay (still not completely refurbished). My intention then was to merely get is functioning correctly for use.

Then along came MickeyD and his greenie!

Than along came a Model 10(with nice extra goodies)(about ready for reassembly ).

And then the Mark VII that is nearing final assembly(shiney painted stuff has sat around so long that I am torn between touching them up or just going ahead and use it).

Another E-Bay thing and I have parts to a Mark 2 that has a E-Bay procured greenie headstock that I use as a 'portable' that mounts on saw horses(no base).

And a shorty in process(initially intended as storage for SPTs) that is now slated to become a rout/shaping station with under table Greenie(now gold and reversible) headstock.

In between a couple of jig saws, scroll saw, SS mounted planer, DC3300 and a box full of other attachments have found their way to my shop.

After 'doing my thing{Damn you MickyD} I have never been reluctant to use them(get em dirty/scarred) for their creators intend purpose(and a few not originally intended nor envisioned by the creator).

Only regrets is that I have greatly exceeded the available square footage in my shop(sorta like Ed's, but vastly more cluttered(not organized in my case).

Addiction? Perhaps, but with a purpose of utilizing them intended.

This forum - addiction- maybe, but the source of much newly gained knowledge and pleasure that I would not have otherwise.

Yes it is an attitude. It is a perceived purpose for the few remaining years I reside on this planet as a sentient being.

So call it as you perceive it!