Is it worth it?

[edma194]

I will point out that the PowerPro has the advantage of the modern 'cool' factor. It's got buttons and and lights with an integral speed selection 'chart' and it even produces a little electronic music when it starts up. Conventional Shopsmith headstocks have a 'steampunk' feel in comparison. I'm not saying the 'cool' part is worth a couple of grand by itself, but it certainly was a factor in me going for the first one.

[RFGuy]

I will point out that the PowerPro has the advantage of the modern 'cool' factor. It's got buttons and and lights with an integral speed selection 'chart' and it even produces a little electronic music when it starts up. Conventional Shopsmith headstocks have a 'steampunk' feel in comparison. I'm not saying the 'cool' part is worth a couple of grand by itself, but it certainly was a factor in me going for the first one.

Ed,

Thanks. Yeah, I agree with your assessment. Before I knew about replacement part cost, etc., I probably would have purchased a PowerPro IF it had a larger LCD display AND more industrial buttons back then. I hate the membrane switches and on a headstock at that price level I would expect more substantial industrial switches like one might find on other woodworking tools in the marketplace. There really is NO reason to ever have to replace the LCD display/control module on a machine at this pricepoint so it concerns me that these replacements are necessary. Now power supply module I could see over time and eventually the motor if you use it A LOT, but why are LCD display modules prematurely expiring?

[gac5ss]

As I read all of the posts on this thread, and the other thread viewtopic.php?t=32407 about the Power Pro, I began to strongly admire the longevity of the electric motors in the Mark V headstocks. I have had five Mark V's including my first one in the mid 1990's. Not one of them had issues with the motor.

The issues I encountered were mainly lack of maintenance, some operator abuse (bent speed control), and a missing c-clip on one of the sheaves. All fixable with SS resourced parts and some maintenance.

Then I asked why the motors have lasted. Could it be solely due to quality, or were those older machines put out to pasture early by the original owner because he / she lost interest (or died)? I think some of all of these.

When the Power Pro reaches this level of reliability (or perceived reliability), then I will buy one. Until then the durability of the Mark V headstock is too good to abandon.