Shopsmith Forums

dusty wrote:Is it the 2008 paper catalog that is depicted in the PDF version or is the PDF version kept current.

Dusty,

The cover is in a separate PDF file, it is the 2008 catalog. No PowerPro, no Mark 7, etc. I wonder how many prices are out of date in it.

Even if they didn't print catalogs, they could at least update the PDFs.

I have to admit that I like browsing my old catalogs, old SS brochures, etc, but as Stephen King said in (I believe) his "Dark Tower" series, "The world has moved on".

And folks, it has.

The print & distribution costs of what you want is not something that Shopsmith probably could afford. First because of the initial cost outlay, and second, I doubt that it would drive up sales to justify those costs. The bulk of us will order what we want/need off their web site, whether via the web or over the phone, even though we'd (yes, even me) love to browse a printed catalog.

By the way, along with the catalog, I'm all for seein' 56 Oldsmobiles again & TV shows that are more like "Leave it to Beaver" & "The Lone Ranger". Nope, no sarcasm here by the way, I really would.
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I would like to see a print catalog and would even be willing to pay a few dollars (like $5 or less) for it. If not possible an update of the pdf's SHOULD be done I do have the ones available but there's lots of new toys not in there.

I would be happy to pay $5.00 for a catalog.

My Grandkids state - "what is a paper catalog?...do they actually print one from the computer... what a neat concept!"

I say no to a paper catalog, but

keep the pdf catalog up to date to the minute.

You don't have to print it, just save it on the computer. We are in the year 2012-the power pro shows us that.

I would prefer SS save their money to keep the doors open.

my 2 cents

I spoke to Customer Service on Friday with Linda & told her I miss the catalogs. My last catalog is from Father's Day in 2008. She told me that was the last catalog printed and the web site is the only source they use.

I imagine it is all about cost and that to permit the company to remain in operation, this is the best we will get. One nice thing is you (we) can sign up for email specials which is something that we didn't have back then so there are more chances for savings throughout the year which was only once or twice a year when we had paper catalogs.

But I myself prefer a paper catalog and someone suggested simply printing out the .pdf file and you'll have a paper catalog. That is something which I'm not particularly a fan of, but it's better than nuttin.

I used to work with large manuals of schematics. The younger engineers wanted everything on "soft" copy and I was completely against that as I was old school and like the old road maps that gas stations used to hand out for free (remember dem daze?) I needed paper to go from one page to another or else I might go from one page to another on the computer and with 50 inputs or more on the left it would be easy to go to the wrong line and end up at the wrong transistor or IC chip which would make me lose what hair I had left...

But everyone loves the new Kindles and stuff like that. Soon, all forests will regrow because paper will no longer be used for printing on or even used for building anything as the world is wanting to recycle everything. I remember throwing out a manual typewriter when directed by my boss & thinking to myself, I hope we never have a long power outage or experience an EMP-electromagnetic pulse that will destroy any solid state device. Se la vie...

backhertz wrote:I spoke to Customer Service on Friday with Linda & told her I miss the catalogs. My last catalog is from Father's Day in 2008. She told me that was the last catalog printed and the web site is the only source they use.

I imagine it is all about cost and that to permit the company to remain in operation, this is the best we will get. One nice thing is you (we) can sign up for email specials which is something that we didn't have back then so there are more chances for savings throughout the year which was only once or twice a year when we had paper catalogs.

But I myself prefer a paper catalog and someone suggested simply printing out the .pdf file and you'll have a paper catalog. That is something which I'm not particularly a fan of, but it's better than nuttin.

I used to work with large manuals of schematics. The younger engineers wanted everything on "soft" copy and I was completely against that as I was old school and like the old road maps that gas stations used to hand out for free (remember dem daze?) I needed paper to go from one page to another or else I might go from one page to another on the computer and with 50 inputs or more on the left it would be easy to go to the wrong line and end up at the wrong transistor or IC chip which would make me lose what hair I had left...

But everyone loves the new Kindles and stuff like that. Soon, all forests will regrow because paper will no longer be used for printing on or even used for building anything as the world is wanting to recycle everything. I remember throwing out a manual typewriter when directed by my boss & thinking to myself, I hope we never have a long power outage or experience an EMP-electromagnetic pulse that will destroy any solid state device. Se la vie...

FWIW, I can find something in a paper catalog many times faster than playing with a keyboard, mouse, and screen. Open to marked index page, quickly glance down to item you are looking for, determine the page, and flip to it. Nothing needed but nimble fingers, the paper catalog, and decent eyesight!

Only wait states are those that are self created!

Annnnd you can 'see' two pages at a time of readable size.

I shudder to think how much 'productive' time is lost waiting for a DA machine to finally get around to display what was 'requested'.

Annnd you only need the electric company for illumination.

As far as being 'updated', one only has to notice how well the web site is kept 'current'. I be referring to the 'Accessory and Service Parts Catalogs'.

And I be a rabid fan of computerization, but not much so of how it as been implemented in many instances. It should be saving the 'user's' time, not hogging it!

The 2008 PDF has been printed at my house but is a waste as it is woefully outdated. My first choice is a new printed catalog. Why I can carry it anywhere, not so my laptop. Second choice would be an updated PDF. Jim

A magazine can be transported wherever you're going which gives a reader or daydreamer so may more opportunities to see the material. Home PC's or laptops are not as conveinient I believe. Not to mention the opportunity for others to see the copy laying around and perhaps drive a little more interest that way without someone having to specifically look it up on line. The pdf is nice, I printed it and have it also and I'm sure it ate alot of my color ink doing it. I just think for the investment in the tools, a hard copy should at least be optional even at a cost for those who request it.
I want one...