Exciting News From Your Friends At Shopsmith

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Wed Jun 23, 2010 9:03 pm

Did everyone see the PowerPro demo video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8Pb_j8JdAM&playnext_from=TL&videos=9mlmq9vgKgg&feature=sub ?

The fact that you can just punch in the SPT in use and the material and size of bit/blade that your using and have the PowerPro automatically adjust to the proper speed is impressive! A digital speed chart! I am very impressed - it looks like its a super performer and it certainly takes the Mark V to a whole new level. Though I am delighted with my old "Goldie" 500, I sure would like to have a new 520 with a PowerPro headstock! The price is high to be sure, but certainly not unreasonable considering the state of the art status of the tool. For folks on a limited budget I can see this being a very difficult purchase to make - for others, I hope they jump right in and put Shopsmith back on its feet in a big way. As for me, though I had intended to buy one when released, it's too much to spend at present. I sure am looking forward to the first review here at the forum though! Alec

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Jun 23, 2010 9:13 pm

easterngray wrote:Did everyone see the PowerPro demo video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8Pb_j8JdAM&playnext_from=TL&videos=9mlmq9vgKgg&feature=sub ?

The fact that you can just punch in the SPT in use and the material and size of bit/blade that your using and have the PowerPro automatically adjust to the proper speed is impressive! A digital speed chart! I am very impressed - it looks like its a super performer and it certainly takes the Mark V to a whole new level. Though I am delighted with my old "Goldie" 500, I sure would like to have a new 520 with a PowerPro headstock! The price is high to be sure, but certainly not unreasonable considering the state of the art status of the tool. For folks on a limited budget I can see this being a very difficult purchase to make - for others, I hope they jump right in and put Shopsmith back on its feet in a big way. As for me, though I had intended to buy one when released, it's too much to spend at present. I sure am looking forward to the first review here at the forum though! Alec

I hope that 'new' spt's will be available someday, and that the 'chart' function is updatable to include 'them'!

I agree a great unexpected feature!!!! I assume the jointer shaft speed is the setting, not the actual jointer speed.

paulrussell · Post by **paulrussell** » Wed Jun 23, 2010 9:14 pm

As I've posted before, I had been pretty close to pulling the trigger on a shiny new Shopsmith just a few months ago. Now I'm getting all the innards brand spanking new and still have almost a grand less invested than if I had bought a new 520.

Yes, rationalization is a wonderful thing.

riot_nrrd · Post by **riot_nrrd** » Wed Jun 23, 2010 10:05 pm

Fool that I am, I waited to talk to my wife before placing my order. NOW I HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER MONTH!!!

There is a lesson in here somewhere...

paulrussell · Post by **paulrussell** » Wed Jun 23, 2010 10:08 pm

riot_nrrd wrote:Fool that I am, I waited to talk to my wife before placing my order. NOW I HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER MONTH!!!

There is a lesson in here somewhere...

Unlimited texting.
BTW, nice update on the avatar.

boostfan · Post by **boostfan** » Wed Jun 23, 2010 10:27 pm

There must be something wrong with me, the part that I find most fascinating about this is how SS rolled it out. I got the email for a new headstock, head stock upgrade, ect. From what I can see, Shopsmith does not offer a PowerPro Shopsmith machine!

I know that the parts and upgrade market keeps SS a float, but is it really to the point that they don't care about selling complete machines?

paulrussell · Post by **paulrussell** » Wed Jun 23, 2010 10:55 pm

boostfan wrote:There must be something wrong with me, the part that I find most fascinating about this is how SS rolled it out. I got the email for a new headstock, head stock upgrade, ect. From what I can see, Shopsmith does not offer a PowerPro Shopsmith machine!

I know that the parts and upgrade market keeps SS a float, but is it really to the point that they don't care about selling complete machines?

Given the option to sell out 20 units in one day as upgrades, or hold them in hopes of selling new machines for three times the price, I think they made the correct choice. I'm certain that once the upgrade sales have generated sufficient funds and the upgrade sales are dwindling, that you will see a PowerPro version of new machines offered.

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 12:08 am

dusty wrote: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.

robedney wrote: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.

mickyd wrote:They would be wise to NOT answer your questions specifically. Rules for country or origin are much too complex for them (customer service rep) to answer and they could be setting themselves up for legal problems. Even a legal team debates the issue.

I believe that I have the right to know where it is made. It is a simple choice for them to tell me or knot. It is a simple choice for me to buy it or knot.

edit: If most of it is made in the US, they wood be proud of that fact and release that info willingly.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 8:28 am

a1gutterman wrote:I believe that I have the right to know where it is made. It is a simple choice for them to tell me or knot. It is a simple choice for me to buy it or knot.

edit: If most of it is made in the US, they wood be proud of that fact and release that info willingly.

If you read or listen to the news at all, Tim, you already know that most manufacturing is moving offshore. There is no earthly reason to believe that Shopsmith is any different. Furthermore, if Teknatool is any way attached to the DVR that is being incorporated into the PowerPro, it too is coming from overseas. If bearings are being used in this thing, it is almost certain that they are coming from offshore. Just how many parts do you think Shopsmith is going to purchase (have purchased) in the USA only to ship them to an offshore facility for incorporation into the PowerPro.

Face it Dude, THIS THING IS NOT MADE IN THE USA. If it was the price would reflect that. My opinion: it is assembled in the USA using a headstock that was cast in the USA.

I bet that it still carries the Shopsmith seal of Quality and Reliability.

ryanbp01 · Post by **ryanbp01** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 9:02 am

How in the world could the initial production run be already sold out and now the earliest order is in September?

BPR

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Exciting News From Your Friends At Shopsmith

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