Shopsmith Forums

forrestb wrote:Since 1) my current 1976 version has demonstrated superb reliability and 2) those prices!, I think I will continue to turn the speed down before shutoff to allow a new start-up without CB trip.

Maybe in 10 or 15 years I'll pop for a PowerPro if its reliability is demonstrated. Having worked in electronics for 40 years, I have a healthy suspect of new electronic articles.

I would agree had not teknatool already done the shakedown cruise.

Long term? - unknown. - failure rate - unknown - ease/cost of repair - probably expensive.

Here is a a copy of an e-mail that I sent off to them. I will let you know what the response is.

[quote] Hi,

I have received the e-mail announcing the PowerPro headstock. I have not been able to find, in any of the information that I can access, where the new headstock and it's components are made. I am very interested to have that information. Please tell me where it is made. If there are multiple sources, a breakdown of the sources will be acceptable, e.g., you can say something like "the headstock housing, quill and pulleys are made in the USA; the electronics are 80% made in China and 20% made in Taiwan; the bearings are made in Indochina; and the belts and cord are made in Mexico". I think you get the idea. At the very least, I want to know what percentage of the parts are made in the USA and what percentage is made in Asia. If you are unwilling to give me this information, I am unwilling to consider purchasing the new headstock.
[/quote]

The price is interesting.

For example, you can buy a 2HP DC motor -- new retail -- for about $400 including shipping. A basic black box speed controller can be had for a little under $200.00. You will now need the hardware/machining to retrofit the motor/drive -- just for fun let's say you drop about $200 on that. You're now up to around $800.00.

What you don't have is a unit designed and tested specifically for the SS. You don't have the touch-pad interface, and you have none of the testing/development that SS has done, including the programming for the controller card. In other words, if you buy off the shelf components and do it on your own, you get to figure it out when it doesn't work quite right.

SS is also doing short/limited production runs, which means that they're probably not getting a huge break on the components. They have to set aside reserves for warranty work. They have to insure themselves against product liability. It goes on and on.

I have to say that when I first looked at the price I thought it was pretty high. Having done a little homework, however, I think it's a decent deal.

a1gutterman wrote:Here is a a copy of an e-mail that I sent off to them. I will let you know what the response is.

An interesting email. It leaves me wondering though, if you do get a response (and I don't expect that will happen) is there a percentage below which you will not consider a purchase.

a1gutterman wrote:Here is a a copy of an e-mail that I sent off to them. I will let you know what the response is.

I understand where you're coming from. However, it's important to remember that some choices are limited. I have no idea off hand, but it may not be easy to buy something like a DC motor made in America these days. I'm sure you've discovered that some product types have gone fully offshore.

What you are doing -- if you buy the upgrade -- is supporting SS, a company located on American soil and employing people locally -- even if component parts are made overseas.

The good news is that China has agreed to more fully allow its currency to float naturally on the world market. China has been tightly controlling the exchange rate and keeping its goods cheap for American consumers -- and American goods expensive for Chinese consumers. Initial signs are that China will tightly control this change, but that the change is happening gradually. This should result -- given time -- in American goods being more competitive both in China and here at home.

Just gotta know.....was anyone here fortunate enough to be a Power Pro beta tester sworn to secrecy during the development?

What do you think? Not this guy, I just thought I was one of the chosen few. I thought I spent enough money there to have purchased the position but I guess not. Furthermore, I spent so much trying that I now can't afford to buy one of my own!:rolleyes:

You guys are missing one point that jumped out at me. You can RESERVE you Power Pro today. Says nothing about when you will get it.
I suspect China will only ship a container full. Wonder how many they have to reserve before they able to even order?

Perhaps I'm wrong and they have them all in stock that would be wonderful for those that will be ordering.

I have already spouted off about the price and where I stand so I won't go there again.

Ed in Tampa wrote:You guys are missing one point that jumped out at me. You can RESERVE you Power Pro today. Says nothing about when you will get it.

It is at the bottom of the "More Information" page:

Anticipated delivery will be in 6-8 weeks!

Not definite by any means, but I do hope it is more accurate than backorder predictions.

As far as price, it is exactly in line with what I had expected. Could it be less if it was made by Ryobi or even Delta? Sure. On the other hand, if it were by Festool, it would be more.

Considering the cost of components, pricing of existing Shopsmith products and upgrades, new-product liability/insurance and Shopsmith's need for a rapid return on development costs, I suspect the company can't sell it for much less. That doesn't mean the price is right, it simply means that 14-1800 is what SS needs to charge in order to breath new life into the company. We can only hope the magazines say very nice things.

My biggest concern is that due to the very tight budget, it was only the guts that got a makeover. I personally think that the venerable stamped metal legs are the single most dated looking part of the Shopsmith, and that a modern-looking rolling cabinet/stand with integrated Lift-assist would have gone a long way toward making the machine more younger-buyer attractive. I also think a new paint job in keeping with the Dark Blue and Black PowerPro logo would also help. (I'm thinking of doing a PowerPro color scheme makeover when I've got mine apart for upgrade. )

paulrussell wrote:It is at the bottom of the "More Information" page:

Anticipated delivery will be in 6-8 weeks!

Not definite by any means, but I do hope it is more accurate than backorder predictions.

As far as price, it is exactly in line with what I had expected. Could it be less if it was made by Ryobi or even Delta? Sure. On the other hand, if it were by Festool, it would be more.

Considering the cost of components, pricing of existing Shopsmith products and upgrades, new-product liability/insurance and Shopsmith's need for a rapid return on development costs, I suspect the company can't sell it for much less. That doesn't mean the price is right, it simply means that 14-1800 is what SS needs to charge in order to breath new life into the company. We can only hope the magazines say very nice things.

My biggest concern is that due to the very tight budget, it was only the guts that got a makeover. I personally think that the venerable stamped metal legs are the single most dated looking part of the Shopsmith, and that a modern-looking rolling cabinet/stand with integrated Lift-assist would have gone a long way toward making the machine more younger-buyer attractive. I also think a new paint job in keeping with the Dark Blue and Black PowerPro logo would also help. (I'm thinking of doing a PowerPro color scheme makeover when I've got mine apart for upgrade. )

FWIW The initial 'production run'(6-8 wk delivery) has sold out. Next batch to ship in Sept.