Shopsmith Forums

Great to see something like this happening!

Good Luck with the project.

John

rdubbs wrote:I've worked at the Indy Woodcraft for more than 2 years, and I have no plans to quit.

I am assuming here that this is the Castleton area (86th street) Woodcraft store that at one time was a Shopsmith dealer?
If so that is where I bought my 510 new back in 1988. I returned several times to buy small accessories while they were still a dealer. I don't recall what name it was all under back then. I was in there maybe a year ago looking around. I used to shop that CompUSA store and drove up there (I live at Shelbyville) one day and CompUSA had vanished and was only available on-line.
I don't get up on the north side often these days except for some demonstration stuff each fall at Conner Prairie Museum.
Most of my non-local shop shopping is at Columbus, Franklin, Greenwood and Southport (closer to where you live).
Small world.

Hi Francis,

The Woodcraft on 82nd St., in front of Castelton Square mall, started out as a Shopsmith store. I'm not sure of the exact chronology, but Shopsmith picked up lots more woodworking supplies and became a store where you could buy most of what you needed for a project. Woodcraft corporate bought those stores (sometime in the 90s I think), and the Castelton store operated until about 2000. About 2 years later, the current Woodcraft franchise store opened on 86th St. While we carry some Shopsmith-specific items (bandsaw blades & cool blocks, lathe chuck adapters, etc.), only Shopsmith sells Shopsmith tools, now. (personally, I'd like to see that change - I believe that Woodcraft stores could do a much better job selling Shopsmith than Lowes or Home Depot)

There should be a very large number of Shopsmiths in the Indianapolis area... with as many as about 5% of them being used at least once a year...
The number of SSs sitting around unused could not hold a candle to the number of exercise machines I see sitting in garages gathering dust. We see inside of a lot of garages while attending yard/garage sales. There may be twice the number of unused exercise machines in attic, bedrooms and basements as there are in garages. Many of those machines I see have a cost near or occasionally above the price of a new Mark V. Exercise machines in actual use must fall well below 1% of the number sold.
-
My interest in a local gathering of Shopsmith folks is geared toward maybe 6 to 12 local SS owners getting together about once a month on some type of schedule and hopefully some drop-in visiting between those meetings. I figured it would start in my shop since I am "sloooowly" setting it up so that the whole center of the floor can be quickly cleared and then choose direction from there based on interest. It will also be heated through the winter.
I want to start making contacts now, probably mostly email, and generate a list of those that might be interested. There are several tools for doing that like Craigslist, local classified ads and use of the local radio station. I am currently pretty much committed (or should be) for this month and September but October looks pretty good.
I have this perhaps silly notion that it may be possible to "activate" some of the folks that have one sitting in a corner into active users...
Time will tell

The below invitation is as close to a Shopsmith meeting that I have been able to implement over the years. I find the one-on-one meetings are very satisfying for me and keeps me learning as Murphy is always around when working on Shopsmiths.

I would like to extend an invitation to any Shopsmith owner who would like to or will be visiting the Tampa, Florida area. I am one (1) hour from Orlando theme parks or the Gulf beaches. Bring any Shopsmith equipment that needs mechanical repairs or rebuilding. I will be happy to assist/show you what to do. I have almost any of the Shopsmith equipment that we can rebuild if your equipment is functioning. You can bring your own parts or I have both new and used parts available. Normally, no labor charge if you will do most of the work. I need a week or two notice so I can schedule any appointments around your visit and what equipment you desire to repair or rebuild during the visit. Sorry, only non-alcoholic drinks and sandwiches are available each day.

I like the idea of these SS Owners Groups starting Up. So far the closet one to me is the invitation by Farmer, however that location is still a 5 1/2 hour drive one way from me. I know there are some owners here in TN. Anyone interested in starting up a group in TN. I only have a small shop so not really any room for me doing one but would definitely be interested in attending if someone with room to get one going would speak up. I used to got to the TA's in Nashville anytime they had one just for the camaraderie as well as the great discounts and excellent education they offered. So if there is any of you out there in middle TN, speak up and lets get one going.

Hi Francis,

I'd be happy to come to your shop. I would probably even be able to borrow folding chairs & tables from Woodcraft, if you need any. Set the date, decide on a location (mine's available if it's a Sunday afternoon), and I'll likely be there.

I stopped into the Woodcraft store today to pick up my two resharpened saw blades and gave them a sign to hang announcing the meeting date. It seems there are owners who don't have computer but who do own a Shopsmith. I have a good feeling this is going to fly!

BPR

ryanbp01 wrote:I stopped into the Woodcraft store today to pick up my two resharpened saw blades and gave them a sign to hang announcing the meeting date. It seems there are owners who don't have computer but who do own a Shopsmith. I have a good feeling this is going to fly!

BPR

Good luck with your group.
Is that the Woodcraft in the shopping center with a dollar store next door and I think a Wal-mart?
I was through there about a year ago and Woodcraft just closed for the day:(
Had to kill my time in the dollar store. Use to have a girl friend from Ft. Wayne. Always liked that area.

rdubbs wrote:Hi Francis,

I'd be happy to come to your shop. I would probably even be able to borrow folding chairs & tables from Woodcraft, if you need any. Set the date, decide on a location (mine's available if it's a Sunday afternoon), and I'll likely be there.

I'll keep working on this and keep information flowing.