Shopsmith Forums

dickg1 wrote:Heath,
IMHO the control mount appears to mandate a new headstock.
Dick

HUH???? What in the pix 'mandates' a new headstock.

Previous info (Nick) stated Headstock up grade kit(kit implies stuff to modify existing headstocks).

WA2CRK My thinking exactly! Seems familiar some how.

STEVESPIX For a 'demo' go watch a teknatool video.

I think I would prefer it as a new upgraded headstock assembly instead of just swapping out the internal parts. The bulk of the expense is in the drive and control, not the housing. To me having the old headstock to use as an improvised "power stand" would be preferable to a box of parts taking up space in the shop or the landfill.

Troy

horologist wrote:I think I would prefer it as a new upgraded headstock assembly instead of just swapping out the internal parts. The bulk of the expense is in the drive and control, not the housing. To me having the old headstock to use as an improvised "power stand" would be preferable to a box of parts taking up space in the shop or the landfill.

Troy

You wouldn't have to worry about the spare parts taking up space. Not everyone will upgrade (most likely myself included) and those spare parts will be welcome when we have a part fail and need a replacment.

tdubnik wrote:You wouldn't have to worry about the spare parts taking up space. Not everyone will upgrade (most likely myself included) and those spare parts will be welcome when we have a part fail and need a replacment.

Tdubnik is right. Although I plan to upgrade at least one of my headstock's to the new model I will still have a couple of the standard models to keep running.

For my part ... I realize everyone is on pins and needles awaiting my input to make their decisions about the New Headstock...

- I'm going to wait to hear how a few other folks like it before even thinking about it, but I will think about it. Very curious on how readily the machine can be stopped and restarted without a lot of soft-button presses.

- I see it as a natural fit to multifunction Mark V's. Not so natural to my shorty machine of course, which mostly just runs my bandsaw.

- I am, after some time of angst, pretty much indifferent now whether the newest Shopsmith becomes a raging growing company again, or a boutique specialist firm for older machines & their updates. It's only very slightly in my control. I very much like to use this Forum, and I continue to patronize Shopsmith to help defray the costs of my entertainment here.

- I also plan to set one of my Machines to about 16-2/3 or 33-1/3 rpm and play some vinyls or shellacs of my soapbox opinions.

I agree, I will not be upgrading any time soon. I share the hope that the new unit is a big success and put SS back full production.

I just want the price and release date. Can I be a beta-tester?

tsaguy wrote:I just want the price and release date. Can I be a beta-tester?

Yer too late I hope!

I just want the price and release date

Amen to that. Anyone from Shopsmith listening?

Glad to see Bob F.'s update - the machine looks great and I was pleased to learn that it will first be available as an upgrade.
I would assume that one could return to the original mechanical configuration if one chose too - unless the control panel neccesitates cutting a larger opening in the headstock. Hopefully SS can answer this question, though I suspect we will know soon enough.

"a fraction of the cost of a new machine" certainly covers alot of turf, but I am going to have a swing and say that the upgrade will sell for between 700 and 900 dollars. There are no, or few, parts that Shopsmith has to manufacture here, as far as I can tell. That should keep costs down. I think that if they can hit that price point for the upgrade they will have a winner. Alec