Shopsmith Forums

dlbristol wrote:I guess I'll ask at the risk of sounding dumb, but should I go ahead with some of the purchases I planned or wait or what? I don't know what to do with the little info we have at this point.

Yes, no, maybe...
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Can you say "all pretty much in the same boat"?
Personally I intend to do little waiting but then I might be a lot older than you. If I was 40 I would maybe wait a while. At 67 I intend for my 10 year plan to stay pretty flexible...
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BTW, my mother-in-law turned 93 this month. Deaf with out hearing aids, legally blind and walks with a walker but she still goes out and walks 3 miles a day...

If I had the money and needed something I would certainly order it today. Shopsmith normally doesn't charge your credit/debit card until they ship the merchandise. Right now they need our sales and support. Buy!!!

Nick Engler posted the following reference for the new DVR motor that is only available from Teknatool at this time.
https://www.teknatool.com/products/Lath ... l%2007.pdf

Since the Teknatool Nova DVR XP lathe has used this DVR motor and controller for several years, I would believe touring their many web site locations would give you an idea of what information is available for this motor and controller and what it will do for the Shopsmith headstock.

Since the basic Nova DVR XP lathe retails for $2199, I would believe the new Shopsmith headstock with this motor and controller would have to sell for $2299-$2599 as a guess (SWAG). So save all your coins as it will not be cheap.

rkh2 wrote:If I had the money and needed something I would certainly order it today. Shopsmith normally doesn't charge your credit/debit card until they ship the merchandise. Right now they need our sales and support. Buy!!!

Ron,

I like the way you think and agree with you. I can hardly wait for the price and signal it is available for shipment. Well at least the price. fjimp

billmayo wrote:Nick Engler posted the following reference for the new DVR motor that is only available from Teknatool at this time.
https://www.teknatool.com/products/Lath ... l%2007.pdf

Since the Teknatool Nova DVR XP lathe has used this DVR motor and controller for several years, I would believe touring their many web site locations would give you an idea of what information is available for this motor and controller and what it will do for the Shopsmith headstock.

Since the basic Nova DVR XP lathe retails for $2199, I would believe the new Shopsmith headstock with this motor and controller would have to sell for $2299-$2599 as a guess (SWAG). So save all your coins as it will not be cheap.

Bill
Help me understand if a whole lathe retails for $2199 what would justify SS charging $2299-$2599 for just a headstock?

It seems to me a Lathe bed, legs, tailstock, tool holder, tool holder carriage and etc would enough that the actual Headstock on the Nova DVR would be around the $1000-$1500 price range.

I realize that Shopsmith might like to charge $2500 for their new Headstock but I can't imagine there would be much of a market for it. Heck if I was into turning and wanted a variable speed lathe I would be smarter buying the Nova and having an industry standard machine instead of investing in the Shopsmith headstock.

If this is really the direction SS is going it might be time for me to sell my Shopsmith tools and buy standalone. Let us see one of the new hybred Tablesaws $699-$899, Radial arm drill press $600, disksander $200, Lathe $1000. Add a 14" bandsaw with 12 inch resaw cut depth $599, 6 inch jointer $499....

If I went Harbor Freight or Grizzly it would be even cheaper. Plus I don't have to ante-up $2500 at one time.

If this is SS's plan to save the company I think the end is in sight. That price would make the whole 520 be priced around $4000-$5000. For that price in today's market a person starting out could buy some really fine standalone, industry standard equipment and never look back.

When I bought my Shopsmith in the 80's I did a one for one price comparison against standalone and Shopsmith won, today doing the same cost comparison they lose badly and that is their problem, it is cheaper to buy standalone. What Shopsmith must do if they want to survive is produce their machine with that offers more bang for the buck and do it cheaper than same five machines cost.

When I bought my Shopsmith in the 80's I did a one for one price comparison against standalone and Shopsmith won, today doing the same cost comparison they lose badly and that is their problem, it is cheaper to buy standalone. What Shopsmith must do if they want to survive is produce their machine with that offers more bang for the buck and do it cheaper than same five machines cost.
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Ed

It may come up cheaper to buy standalone but the big selling point for Shopsmith is it stores in the space of a bicycle. Not everyone has the space.
I have most of Shopsmith stuff AND a full assortment of standalone also. I have a 3 car garage and it is starting to get tight on space.

The way I understand it the Shopsmith will continue as parts are available and just the name is changing of the company building it. Just like the changes were in the past from Magna Corp, Shopsmith etc. I know the number of employes have changed but they are trying to fill orders the best they can. If anyone knows that I am off base let us know. I am planning on still ordering parts I need even if I don't know when they might get there.

It may come up cheaper to buy standalone but the big selling point for Shopsmith is it stores in the space of a bicycle. Not everyone has the space.
I have most of Shopsmith stuff AND a full assortment of standalone also. I have a 3 car garage and it is starting to get tight on space.

If the biggest selling point is "it stores in the space of a bicycle", forget about it. That is a pretty flimsy thing to base a business on. People in today's market are looking for value for their money and I, for one, don't think I want to spend 2 to 3 K for a replacement just so I can say that I now have an electronic speed control and reversible motor. That dog won't hunt in today' economy.

George,

"In the space of a bicycle" is why I bought mine. I had a nice radial arm saw, a table saw, and a drill press, but I moved from rural Pennsylvania, where I had an oversized 2-car garage and a huge basement shop, to suburban DC, where I barely have enough room to hold all my books, let alone a full shop. I sold all three and replaced them with the Shopsmith, and added in the jointer, planer, bandsaw, and belt sander. Now I have much more utility in a much smaller space. Yes, changeover takes some time, but it is worth it to me to have the tools. I think as we see people leaving their McMansions, we'll start seeing more people want to do more with less space.

Andy