Shopsmith Forums

I know I'm going to get beat up for this, but that's OK. I'll still come back, I'll still post. But for some time now, I have felt the same way as markfive510.

We have two categories for woodworking, but only a handful have actually posted their work or discussed actual woodworking. The ones off the top of my head, Charlese, Reible, McCabinetmaker, TomK/mo, myself.

When I discovered this forum a year ago, I was really excited. It was like, oh wow, I'll learn how to use and care for my SS. I'll learn woodworking techniques, how to make this kind of cut, the best way to route this, etc. In those two categories, hardly anything like that.

I spend a lot of time at this forum and two others. The others, projects are shown, in many cases details on how they proceeded with the project. It's really good stuff. So far in this forum, yes, I have learned a great deal about my shopsmith, and how to spend a lot of money on it. But, very little info on actually how to use it.

That was just my 2 cents worth. So, I'm ready now to take my beating.

woodburner wrote:Hi Farmer,

Wish I can find one of those cheap RAS's you are talking about. It's hard to find even a used one that's over 20 yrs. old for $100.00 or less where I live, if you can find a used one for sale at all.

Hi Woodburner
"Location, location, location..."
I just checked the Indianapolis area Craigslist and did a search on "radial". They listed 8 RAS's for $100 or less. One Dewalt was $40. It didn't have a picture but I'm making a wild guess here that it just "may" not be ready to use when you first get it home...
I see them at the Amish consignment auctions a couple of times a year. I never bid on them since I hardly use the one I have. I have not even moved it to the new shop yet. Years ago I bought a Rockwell/Delta double arm RAS new from the local J.C. Penny. I used it a lot but it was the primary power tool in the shop. I sold it to an old friend (now deceased) and his son is still using it. It was a decent saw. I had a 4' table attached to each side of the main table.

Hi, shydragon- You're just expressing your opinion, and more importantly, not putting anybody else down, so why do you expect a beating?

It seems like there are a lot of differing expectations about this forum. I see it as a way to get specific answers to specific questions, from other people who mostly use the same equipment as I do. I've always gotten a great and timely response when I've asked specific questions about a tool, procedure, etc.

And, of course, I really enjoy the camaraderie from the rest of the Shopsmith community. It makes me feel like I have a lot of friends in a lot of places. And to me there's a lot of value in shooting the breeze with your friends.

If I remember correctly, Shopsmith started this forum as a way to get Shopsmith users talking to each other. What we make the forum into is, within limits, up to us. If forum members want to create videos, tutorials, etc., and provide links to that material through the forum, that certainly can be done, and is being done (for example, TomK/mo's project plans).

Shopsmith's Sawdust Sessions provided a lot of the training material that you would like to see. Unfortunately, Shopsmith could not afford to keep that program going in the current economy, but that's the subject of lots of other threads. (:eek: ) In any event, Shopsmith does sell a number of DVDs with some of that material, and Nick Engler is keeping on-line tutorials rolling with his new site. I'm just not sure that this forum's software is best suited for that type of visual material.

As far as not posting pictures of projects, I'm certainly guilty as charged. I mostly turn small stuff like pens, bud vases, bottle stoppers, bowls, etc., and I've posted pictures of some of them, but I doubt if you all want to see every one!

I have a suggestion- if you want to see a particular type of project, how about starting a thread and ask "Has anyone made a coffee table (or whatever)? Would you please post pictures?" Maybe in general we're all just shy, and we need encouragement to show off our stuff.

Sorry, I know that's lots more than my 2 cents worth....

Gary

robinson46176 wrote:Hi Woodburner
"Location, location, location..."
I just checked the Indianapolis area Craigslist and did a search on "radial". They listed 8 RAS's for $100 or less. One Dewalt was $40. It didn't have a picture but I'm making a wild guess here that it just "may" not be ready to use when you first get it home...
I see them at the Amish consignment auctions a couple of times a year. I never bid on them since I hardly use the one I have. I have not even moved it to the new shop yet. Years ago I bought a Rockwell/Delta double arm RAS new from the local J.C. Penny. I used it a lot but it was the primary power tool in the shop. I sold it to an old friend (now deceased) and his son is still using it. It was a decent saw. I had a 4' table attached to each side of the main table.

So When and Where is the next Amish consignment auction???;)

[quote="JPG40504"]So When and Where is the next Amish consignment auction???]

Do you really want to know?

http://www.google.com/search?q=Amish+Co ... =firefox-a

shydragon wrote:
I spend a lot of time at this forum and two others. The others, projects are shown, in many cases details on how they proceeded with the project. It's really good stuff. So far in this forum, yes, I have learned a great deal about my shopsmith, and how to spend a lot of money on it. But, very little info on actually how to use it.

That was just my 2 cents worth. So, I'm ready now to take my beating.

I can't even imagine a slap at you thoughts. I share them. However the Sawdust Sessions not only did a great job at showing us how to use our machines, but at the same time took some of the wind out of the sails of our machine use. So be it! Common construction details seemed somewhat repetitive and mundane in comparison.

I've tried to show photos of some of my projects, but really need to get motivated to get the camera out and snap, while making sawdust. The result? You might see a couple of snaps during the construction stage. The little things, like the 1/4" jig for making finger joints are missing.

I had thought it would be boring to show set-ups for making dados, joints, gluing, etc. but maybe I'll post more like that.

That said - I too wish more folks would show their projects. Even if there is only one small project in a year! Shelves, different turnings, boxes, anything!!!

greitz wrote:Hi, shydragon- You're just expressing your opinion, and more importantly, not putting anybody else down, so why do you expect a beating?

...

Gary

Why indeed! An opinion expressed is not grounds for a 'beating'. Opinions are usually based upon the person's knowledge at the time it is expressed.

If that 'opinion' is based upon misinformation or questionable for some other reason, it is EVERYONE'S DUTY to try and show the originator of that questionable opinion how it IS questionable. We owe them the respect to try to help them 'see their error'. If in the process you find out it is NOT the originator who is 'in error' but yourself, then at least you will have learned that.

That being said, this only works/makes sense if everyone 'plays by the rules'. More specifically: Stick to the facts as you know them. Do NOT manufacture(dream up) counter arguments which deviate from the original subject. Do NOT allow your emotions get into the fray. Be strong enough to stand up for what you believe and do not resort to throwing a statement into the conversation, then, threaten to 'go elsewhere'. Finally LISTEN to the opposing 'opinion' and glean whatever NEW information from it. This allows you to come to a better understanding where that other person is coming from. Sometimes one must overlook snideness and rudeness and just plain blasphemy in order to 'get to the heart of the opinion'.

That being said, I wish I could ALWAYS do so!

dusty wrote:Do you really want to know?

http://www.google.com/search?q=Amish+Co ... =firefox-a

WOW! Over 5000 'hits'. No I did not want to know about them all(especially those which already occured).

I was asking when the ones Francis keeps talking about with all the good stuff he buys cheap were to be held next. Ky ain't too far from 'central Indiana'.

JPG40504 wrote:WOW! Over 5000 'hits'. No I did not want to know about them all(especially those which already occured).

I was asking when the ones Francis keeps talking about with all the good stuff he buys cheap were to be held next. Ky ain't too far from 'central Indiana'.

I don't know when the next one is but I subscribe to a farm paper that carries the sale bills for a large part of the Midwest (including KY). If you look at their site and click the link at the bottom of the page that says "auction calender" it will pop up there. Almost any farm equipment "consignment" sale will be bargain heavy since the woodworking stuff is usually not what most buyers are there for.
Most of our local Amish are in the Moscow / Milroy area of Rush County IN. just east of me.
http://www.farmworldonline.com/default.asp

woodburner wrote:Hi Farmer,

Wish I can find one of those cheap RAS's you are talking about. It's hard to find even a used one that's over 20 yrs. old for $100.00 or less where I live, if you can find a used one for sale at all.

Same here! The couple I've seen in the last 8 months have all had an asking price of around $400.