I spent 2-3 hours talking with Nick in Feb 2008. Nick who was working on a Saw Dust Session project. He dropped what he was doing and gave me a sharpening lesson on the strip sander and then a tour. He first taught me how to spin a hammer in one hand. I had no idea who he was other than seeing him once or twice on Saturday Saw Dust Sessions.
We started out with a dull wood chisel and ended up with a razor sharp chisel that went through hard end grain like a hot knife in butter. The best part though was the tour of what was left of the factory. All the stations were still in place. I was most surprised to see the 10E/ERs being used as specialized machine tools to make/machine/mill parts for the new Mark Vs. I tried to imagine the huge building full of people, but it's like a movie where a character is in an empty building, but flashes back to the past when the building was full of employees doing what they do. But then the buzzer went off and the place was empty except for Nick & myself.
Back in those days on the forum, there was talk of a new Mark VIII and what all it might offer. I know one thing, that if Nick knew anything, he was not sharing it with me. I understand why. A company's secrets are no longer secret if people start sharing insider information.
I believe back then the people at Shopsmith had a plan for the PowerPro, but the economic circumstances simply made it almost a gamble to get it off the drawing board and into production. I simply planned to rebuild 3 old Mark V headstocks and was experimenting with DC motors for the 10E/ER like Skip has done on his at mkctools.com
But what an accomplishment along with the double tilt feature which gives us two more functions; hence the name Mark 7. The marriage between Teknatool and Shopsmith is a good one. Granted the DVR motor is not produced in the USA, but it is amazing how well it fits inside the headstock. Does the motor being made in China make a difference? Not to me. Globalization is here and I honestly don't believe a DVR motor made in the US would be cost effective.
Anyhow, I had a gut feeling that Shopsmith was up to something, but not a word was uttered about it to me by Nick or anyone else. I left the building that day with my without any fear of Shopsmith closing. My dog & I drove back home. I am pleased to see the company is still doing what they have to do to keep their lights on.
I just read the toolmonger article- wow. I do not believe forums or web sites should be used to cast aspersions or abrasions on anyone. I read how the machine's longevity works against the company. I fail to see the logic in that being we live in a world of 'planned obsolescence'. There really isn't all that much to a Shopsmith headstock for a person with some mechanical skills. But even if they don't have the skills, there are people like Bill Mayo, Jacob Anderson, and some others along with the company if a person needs a repair/overhaul. Bill will even put a reverse switch in for a customer if they want.
The Shopsmith is one of the few manufactured products people still use after over 65 years with the 10E/ER and 59 years on a Mark V Greenie. I think the machine's longevity it the reason why so many people still use it and are able to pass them down or sell them. A well maintained Shopsmith will permit almost anyone to create almost anything they can think of. With the new motor, I saw a guy turn a 12 foot log.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQbzEz0-7X0 Wow.
Didn't Nick once say the only limiting factor on a Shopsmith lathe was the a wall or something to that effect? Nick 'taught' me most of what I know on the Shopsmith via those Saw Dust Sessions. He & Drew were far ahead of the pack in terms of using the Internet to reach people. Doug Reid is making You Tube videos demonstrating the Mark 7. The MArk 7 is one powerful machine.
