Shopsmith Forums

joshh wrote:It will be difficult to build a box without any right angles, but I'll try

Berry wouldn't have a problem building that. It's supposed to be a challenge!

What Norm choose to use before there was money is hard to say. He was a carpenter at that time so I doubt that his go to machine was a Shopsmith.

Furthermore, it was his agent (who owned a Shopsmith) that got Norm involved.

The first time I saw a SS demo'd in a local mall about 1978, I fell in love with the machine. All the things you could do with one machine in a small space with such accuracy was all I could ask for. Could not afford one. Acquired my first machine in 2004 that appears much like what I first saw demonstrated. Swapped my pickup for second machine.

When I tell other woodworkers that I have a SS, most of them will say they hate SS because they prefer separate machines and workstations. Also, they think the SS is not accurate and takes too much time in set up. I cannot agree from my experience and thinking.

SS would have to buy large and expensive ads in these magazines to get any attention. And, I suppose with the deep seated entrenchment against SS, there may be a large outcry about SS being advertised in the popular woodworking mags. I take from them what I can, and disregard all the ads. They can have my SS when they pry my cold dead fingers from around it.

joshh wrote:It will be difficult to build a box without any right angles, but I'll try

Come to my shop and watch me.

swampgator wrote:When I tell other woodworkers that I have a SS, most of them will say they hate SS because they prefer separate machines and workstations. Also, they think the SS is not accurate and takes too much time in set up. I cannot agree from my experience and thinking.

I've got a hunting and fishing buddy that wants to get in and get out with a big buck or limit of fish as quick as possible. Sadly that attitude is probably the majority, and its not an enjoyable day when he's running the show. He has a freezer full of meat, but who really cares? We have grocery stores if things don't pan out.

Most of the other guys I run with, myself included, are going to spend the entire alloted time we have in the woods or on the water. Sure we don't want to go home empty handed, but if we have to fire the grill up at 7 we don't want to be ending our day by noon unless we have something else we can do to pass the time.

I think its the same thing here. Some people are into woodworking because they want stuff, and they aren't the type that enjoys the process or hard work for hard works sake. And then some people enjoy woodworking (or working in general) and the stuff is just a bonus.

And yes, that guy I mentioned is a woodworker (and shop teacher) and hates combo machines.

There was also another reason why the Shopsmith fell into disfavor on that program. Rules at the time were that the SS logo had to be covered (PBS rules). THis came what from a firsthand source whose word I have absolutely no reason to doubt, that was a dealbreaker and so the Mark V was no longer used.

BPR

dusty wrote:Now tell me, "How do you know that Norm did not like the Shopsmith"?

I believe that he better liked the money that was offered to him to "go Delta". I believe that if Shopsmith had offered more than did Delta, he would not have changed.

Because Norm says so on his Old Yankee web site. The question was asked what he thought of the Shopsmith and his answer was not favorable. I won't go into exact wording. Go check the old yankee Q&A section. His answer is right there.

ryanbp01 wrote:There was also another reason why the Shopsmith fell into disfavor on that program. Rules at the time were that the SS logo had to be covered (PBS rules). THis came what from a firsthand source whose word I have absolutely no reason to doubt, that was a dealbreaker and so the Mark V was no longer used.

BPR

Again go to the Old Yankee site and check the Q&A section Norm did not mince any words in answering the question of why he didn't use the Shopsmith that sat in the shop for many years after he started using the Unisaw.

I can hear you guys gathering and getting the rope so if I going to get lynched let me ask a question.

If you had the money of the cost of the new Shopsmith Mark VII, plus a SS bandsaw, plus a SS jointer, plus a SS planner and were not limited in your shop space.

Would you buy standalone or the Shopsmith. Be truthful now, I know most of you bought you SS at well below manufacture list prices. I'm saying you have the money and you must spend it on woodworking

I think if you are really honest most of you will say I would buy the standalone. And I say there you have your answer was to why more Wood Working mags don't do SS articles.

Ed in Tampa wrote:I can hear you guys gathering and getting the rope so if I going to get lynched let me ask a question.

If you had the money of the cost of the new Shopsmith Mark VII, plus a SS bandsaw, plus a SS jointer, plus a SS planner and were not limited in your shop space.

Would you buy standalone or the Shopsmith. Be truthful now, I know most of you bought you SS at well below manufacture list prices. I'm saying you have the money and you must spend it on woodworking

I think if you are really honest most of you will say I would buy the standalone. And I say there you have your answer was to why more Wood Working mags don't do SS articles.

My truthful answer is I would buy neither because I rarely buy anything new and I have issues with the quality of DIY equipment on the market today. If I had the cost of that new equipment in my pocket that must be spent, and unlimited space, and unlimited 220v outlets, I would go on Craigslist and buy used, heavy, industrial grade equipment that the ShopSmith does not compete with.

Same scenario but the amount of money is under a grand, I buy the used ShopSmith every time.

Same scenario without unlimited space, I buy the new ShopSmith.

There is no scenario where I would ever purchase new, standalone machines in the same size and price range as ShopSmith.