Shopsmith Forums

a1gutterman wrote:I had to vote "Maybe later". One stumbling block is knot knowing where it is made.

I do agree with you. I sort of assume, hopefully incorrectly, that the unit is international in components. I would want it to be significantly USA made.

I ordered mine! Not because I need it, but because I want it! On the other hand, haven't yet gone with the 520 because it is not needed. Said I would order one if I ever wanted it, but so far- not so. So, I will have a Power Pro 510.

Concerning where the parts are made - What a Pandora's box!!! Ever look inside the guts of a Chevy, GM, Ford or Chrysler? Bet you would be surprised where the components are made!!! What percentage of foreign parts are acceptable? IMHO this concern is moot in the present World economy.

Also enjoyed the recent revived Thread re: letter speed control vs. RPMs and Micky Mouse references. Well - the Power Pro has RPMs, no letters! On top of this, the Power Pro will automatically tell you the proper RPMs for your intended operation. What a deal for RPM worriers!

Concerning cost - My Son just spent more than this on a new bicycle. The capability he likes here is it can be put into a small (relatively) box, taken on an airplane. Now he is riding it around between business meetings in London.

P.S. I'm now 76 years young! Yea!!! Made it so far! However, if I'm to selfishly enjoy myself in my remaing years, I'm certainly going to try. Can't take it with you, you know! When I remember back a few years, I really couldn't afford a Shopsmith either - just got one! Am now working out 6 days/week. - Feel better and stronger!! Lower BP & Cholesterol. Maybe, just maybe, I'll last as long as the Power Pro!

Side Note: The daily exercise routine does cut down on shop time!:(

Paul:

Keep an open mind. Motors controlled with electronics have been with us for many years, starting with DC motors, and then advancing to variable frequency. These motor/controls have become commonplace on many types of machinery, woodworking included. Thanks to the advances in computer technology, the DVR motor has taken this progression another leap forward.

While the capabilities of Shopsmith's jointer, bandsaw, and other SPT's remain the same, we can hope that the DVR will be successful enough to enable Shopsmith to upgrade these tools in the future.

As for now, the DVR motor will put the sawing capability of the Shopsmith in the cabinet saw class, offering the advantage of variable speed to avoid burning on sensitive woods, and also to be able to cut a wide range of plastics without the melting problem.

Since the DVR was originally developed for lathe applications, the Shopsmith in lathe mode has been significantly upgraded. With the available torque to drill with large forstner bits, the Shopsmith can do more than just about any other drill press on the market. I've never really enjoyed using routers, and am really looking forward to doing a lot more routing/shaping on my Shopsmith.

While there are definite advantages to the large shop with stationary tools, the DVR has uplifted woodworkers in small and very small shops to a new level of competitive performance.

Maybe later! Lets face it folks, the majority of SS owners are probablyl like Dusty and myself and on fixed income.

All the sudden the news has broken and everyone is weighing in with opinions coming left and right. The SS forum has well over 6100 members and we probably haven't heard, nor will hear from even 100 of them. SS simply must get this machine into the hands of major wood working publications and beg that they publish their opinions and findings to the general wood working public for this thing to grab hold. I personally think that a couple of positive reviews by the wood working professionals could have tremendous rewarding effects and would easily be worth the investment to find out. Out of the 6100 members of this forum, we probably hear from at the most, 50 of them on a regular basis. Of those 50 which contribute, only a small percentage are true wood workers. It's obvious that the SS itself is the main hobby here and not woodworking. I'm speaking of the regulars here, not the vast silent majority.

Yup, placed my order a couple minutes ago. Gotta live on the bleeding edge...

From what you have read about the PowerPro (in this thread), can you guys tell me whether or not the idler shaft assembly (new design) and the drive sleeve assembly are usable in the PowerPro configuration.

Also, how many pulleys (poly-v) will there be in the new configuration. My count is one on the motor, two on the idler shaft and one on the drive shaft. Am I missing something?

I am glad to see it get here and hope the ones of you that have ordered it give back good reviews. I will not be getting one soon since I have not worked since January and not job in site yet. So that fixed income is really setting in. Like no income, House and food first. But still working on old SS and dealing so manybe sometime in the future I might be the owner of one also. I really see it helping me with the lathe side of my hobby.

I won't be buying one anytime soon. With my own "fixed income," and 3 young kids, I just don't have that kind of money anywhere in my budget for anything. But I wish Shopsmith a lot of success with it!

Ralph
No disagreement with your assessment. For a small shop there is no doubt that SS is a great boon, Power Pro or no. I've spent a working lifetime in shipyards, mine and before that as an employee. It's a whole other world and SS would never fit in it. That's my background and I'm spoiled. SS has everything to be proud of and as I have said often is an amazing tool for what it is and what it was designed for, but for those of us used to big heavy stable tools that are always ready to go at the flip of a switch and who came up through production oriented shops....no offence intended but it's just not the same.

If anyone thought my post was a slur on SS in any way, I apologize for that to you and to SS. I really do have a great respect for the tool, especially for the innovative thinking that gave us the original 10E's and ER's.

Paul M

I voted for "Yep, but first I need to save up a few more nickels". When I have the nickels (which won't be any time soon), l will have them update one of my two greenies since I live close enough to drive it there and back.

Sincerely,

Ron309753