Shopsmith Forums

Yes, I am on a fixed income and I can not say that I am doing any better than anyone else during these hard times. In fact, it may be a bit worse because I also have some significant medical bills to keep track of.

However, I also have about $10,000 worth of shop equipment to maintain over the long haul (whatever that means). I am 70 but I feel great and I expect to be in the shop for another 10 years. To do that I must have an operational shop. What I have just spent along with what has already been "stockpiled" is what I consider an insurance policy against my shop equipment. That stock pile is worth about $400. I think it is a sound investment.

I believe that I have those "high failure" parts covered with spares. Now all I have to do is maintain (clean, oil and align) on a regular basis. By doing this, I feel confident that I will be able to remain in the shop as long as my physical and mental condition allow.

I do not advocate that anyone should buy parts (for anything) in lieu of maintaining family necessities as some have sort of implied I am doing. My family expenses are limited to those of my wife and I and I have them covered. I hope I can say that with a straight face a year from now.

I also hope that Shopsmith will be around then to buy parts from and if they are my stock pile will not be as valuable as I believe it is today. Shopsmith has been reduced to a small fraction of what they once were; surviving the long haul is going to be a challenge.

BTW, I happen to think they are on the come back and I expect to hear great news from Shopsmith. Bob Folkerth's next message to the forum will be regarding a turn around.

I am with Dusty on this one. We all need to think about keeping our machines running. One way to do that is to have spare parts on hand. One of my purchases was the lift assist, do not need it now but expect to need it in the future. Any ways it on back order.

Shopsmith has been there for us in the past and let help them in the future.

James

jbooher wrote:I am with Dusty on this one. We all need to think about keeping our machines running. One way to do that is to have spare parts on hand. One of my purchases was the lift assist, do not need it now but expect to need it in the future. Any ways it on back order.

Shopsmith has been there for us in the past and let help them in the future.

James

James, they should not be on backorder any longer, I ordered one July 17, and I received it a couple weeks ago. From what the nice person on the phone told me, it seemed they were having problems with getting the air-springs.

From the conversation with the order person, I found out that ShopSmith is trying to implement a JIT Inventory process (Just-In-Time) as many businesses are to reduce overhead expenses and are having problems with some of their suppliers being able to support JIT processes.

I too have some spare parts on hand, but I've purchased them here and there over the years. I didn't purchase them all at once.

I have a quill, a speed control quadrant, some drive belts, a Help Kit, and an extra set of jointer knives so I can keep a set sharpened at all times.

I've learned over time that it is wise to keep some maintenance parts on hand, especially if you have a shop full of tools, so you can keep any down time to a minimum.

Worrying that you should purchase all these parts right now because of the fear that Shopsmith will be closing its doors is not needed. If anything, spare parts will always be available on ebay or other internet auction sites.

I'm sure that some folks who have extra parts on hand without any real need for them will put them up for sale to make some extra cash if by chance Shopsmith does close. The demand will be there and they will be able to sell any extra parts for even more money.

At the present moment, I doubt Shopsmith will be closing and there is no need to panic.

Just take the advice of the experienced woodworkers and keep your tools maintained and clean, no matter what kind of tools you own. A well maintained tool will last you a long time. You should always be following a maintenance schedule for your tools.

Speaking of orders (and backorders) has anyone ordered:

555783 ACC-MKV520 FEATHERBOARD A

I ordered this as part of the Incra/Router table order I put in back in May and this is the last part STILL on backorder.

I went to their website recently and filled out a "request" asking about the status and never heard back from them. Unfortunately, this isn't surprising.

For those of us either on fixed income or that have an actual money coming in from whatever source if we have a need for a praticular item or items it may be a good time to buy. I don't feel that buying parts or items that will be used in the future will bail SS out of the spot they are in. It will however assure us that we will have the items we may need if SS has to actually cease production totally for awhile. I may not use my SS on a daily basis but I want to know that when I want to use it I will have everything necessary.
This is a good solid product and company and they may have to tighten their belts a bit but I feel they will make it thru and be here for all of us for a long time.
Baysidebob, Ca.