Shopsmith Forums

[quote="tool72"]I would like to reply to some of the concerns and comments about the True Trac System. I am one of the partners who designed and refined our tool over the last two years. Our company is Insight Toolworks LLC, my partner and I have over 50 years experience in the woodworking tool industry. We were first made aware of the track saw concept when Festool introduced theirs several years ago. I personally have had to work in a small shop (MKV owner since 1978) and was amzed at the ease and percision of the track saw, but the price, high cost of metric blades, and so, on kept me from buying.

Why did we decide to design our own track saw? We had the advantage of looking at ALL track saws that were on the market and talking with users, what they liked, did not like, and what could be done better. First, to design a universal track, you need to have one adapter plate that would work with all types of saws: right hand, left hand, worm drive, cord or cordless]

Thanks for jumping into this discussion. I definitely like the fact that you looked at the systems and tried to find some interesting solutions.

You are definitely correct in that when comparing this system to the dewalt, festool, bosch, and other single brand systems that having the universal base is an advantage. However, I think limiting comparisons only to the expensive proprietary models is not a sufficient comparison.

The EZ system has anti-chip inserts on the edges (yours slide into a channel underneath the track, theirs slide into a channel on the side), has interchangable bases (EZ's system has additional anti-chip inserts in their base, and works with a variety of saw configurations). They are based in new jersey, whereas you are based in ohio - not sure who wins that one I could be wrong, but I think the single track design that EZ uses makes it compatible with some of the makita, dewalt, and perhaps even festool track saws without adding the additional base...I could be wrong on that one. Its basically a matter of whether the channel size and location match.

To be clear, I am all for this sort of tool. I think it has huge advantages. The fact that your company won the bid for this technology is great for you, and I guess it remains to be seen how it will end up in comparison to the competitors. I suppose if I ever have the shopsmith truetrac one in front of me then I can make the appropriate comparison.

[quote="tool72"]I would like to reply to some of the concerns and comments about the True Trac System. I am one of the partners who designed and refined our tool over the last two years. Our company is Insight Toolworks LLC, my partner and I have over 50 years experience in the woodworking tool industry. We were first made aware of the track saw concept when Festool introduced theirs several years ago. I personally have had to work in a small shop (MKV owner since 1978) and was amzed at the ease and percision of the track saw, but the price, high cost of metric blades, and so, on kept me from buying.

Why did we decide to design our own track saw? We had the advantage of looking at ALL track saws that were on the market and talking with users, what they liked, did not like, and what could be done better. First, to design a universal track, you need to have one adapter plate that would work with all types of saws: right hand, left hand, worm drive, cord or cordless]

Like I said shame on you guys. in the end your company and shopsmith may need to close your doors after this on and maybe you can go after your meat head lawyer that told you this could fly. Don't get me wrong I think yours is better then some out there but you should not ride on others backs to make some money. Good luck to you I won't be buying one thats for sure Shame Shame!!!!!

tool72 wrote:I would like to reply to some of the concerns and comments about the True Trac System.

Great post. May I suggest you need to get Shopsmith to emphasize some of these points because I could not find some of your points about what makes your system unique on Shopsmith's website.

Time will tell if you built the better mousetrap but I applaud you for trying and wish you success and I also commend you for not denigrating other's products (which is never successful anyway, as people tend to get emotionally invested in their purchases).

bigjohn1 wrote:Like I said shame on you guys. in the end your company and shopsmith may need to close your doors after this on and maybe you can go after your meat head lawyer that told you this could fly. Don't get me wrong I think yours is better then some out there but you should not ride on others backs to make some money. Good luck to you I won't be buying one thats for sure Shame Shame!!!!!

I couldn't disagree more. This is like saying there should there be only one brand of track saw. One might as well say there should be only one brand of table saw, one brand of automobile or one brand of anything.

If somebody comes up with an improvement to an existing product and they can bring it to market without violating the other guy's patent, then I say go for it. That's one way products improve over time. One guy has an idea, another guy improves upon it and on and on.

bigjohn1 wrote:Well put I don't understand why they went this route I can only see problems, Yes they will sell some but the buyers will say dang why did I not go EZ instead. So Shopsmith bad choice you have just made good near copy but bad way of exacution of it. Shame on you just a money grab and get on the train kinda deal.

OKAY bigjohn, you have my attention. Tell me why you feel the way you do about this concept of development. Why is it inappropriate to look at the works of others, make improvements/modifications and then release a new version of the original and make money doing so.

Where would we be today if no one advanced the design of the original horseless carriage?

Where would we be today if no one advanced the design of the original telephone?

Where would we be today if no one advanced the design of the original Brownie or the original Polaroid?

How is any of this different than what Bill Gates does?

[quote="tool72"]I would like to reply to some of the concerns and comments about the True Trac System. I am one of the partners who designed and refined our tool over the last two years. Our company is Insight Toolworks LLC, my partner and I have over 50 years experience in the woodworking tool industry. We were first made aware of the track saw concept when Festool introduced theirs several years ago. I personally have had to work in a small shop (MKV owner since 1978) and was amzed at the ease and percision of the track saw, but the price, high cost of metric blades, and so, on kept me from buying.

Why did we decide to design our own track saw? We had the advantage of looking at ALL track saws that were on the market and talking with users, what they liked, did not like, and what could be done better. First, to design a universal track, you need to have one adapter plate that would work with all types of saws: right hand, left hand, worm drive, cord or cordless]
Thanks for posting. Can you do beveled rips with the saw on the track? Hold down clamps were mentioned as being available, is there a website where all of your offerings can be viewed? Thanks again.

Nobody else going to ask? OK, I will. What's the beef?
When I see that someone without even a profile location that has been on here about 3 months without posting jumps on in attack mode and makes 3 hostile post in a row (so far the only 3 post) I have to wonder why...
I'm sure many of us see a bunch of red flags popping up.
Maybe it is not as it seems but????


.

robinson46176 wrote:Nobody else going to ask? OK, I will. What's the beef?
When I see that someone without even a profile location that has been on here about 3 months without posting jumps on in attack mode and makes 3 hostile post in a row (so far the only 3 post) I have to wonder why...
I'm sure many of us see a bunch of red flags popping up.
Maybe it is not as it seems but????


.

Hadn't picked up on that! It does seem a little suspicious.

dusty wrote:OKAY bigjohn, you have my attention. Tell me why you feel the way you do about this concept of development. Why is it inappropriate to look at the works of others, make improvements/modifications and then release a new version of the original and make money doing so.

Where would we be today if no one advanced the design of the original horseless carriage?

Where would we be today if no one advanced the design of the original telephone?

Where would we be today if no one advanced the design of the original Brownie or the original Polaroid?

How is any of this different than what Bill Gates does?

His(BG) mousetrap is not 'better'.

His choice of hardware platform and marketing is fortunate(for him) and better(in that order).

And we would still be using jack saws(if not for the Amish)!

robinson46176 wrote:Nobody else going to ask? OK, I will. What's the beef?
When I see that someone without even a profile location that has been on here about 3 months without posting jumps on in attack mode and makes 3 hostile post in a row (so far the only 3 post) I have to wonder why...
I'm sure many of us see a bunch of red flags popping up.
Maybe it is not as it seems but????


.

+1

All the negative comments on an item that has been out a full day.
Why are people so negative now days?