Are you getting a PowerPro?

[paulrussell]

Heat is the major external factor affecting both.

A more efficient motor implies lower heat than the original. The big question is how will the electronic controls manage in an unventilated enclosure. That may have a lot to do with the cost -- military/industrial grade electronic parts which are capable of handling high temperatures are far more expensive than their consumer electronics equivalents.* The dusty/dirty environment of a woodshop would make a reliably ventilated enclosure difficult, and it could make the situation worse rather than better.

*I've a lot of experience in this area having been in the business of military-grade flight data recorders (black boxes) for over twenty years.

[dwevans]

It would have been nice if Shopsmith would have let us know an estimated cost ahead of time, then I could have been saving nickles before now.

Looks like next spring for me.

[robinson46176]

Here are some 'details' we DO know.

The torque available at all speed settings will be at least 2x the current 1 1/8 hp motor etc.

The startup current surge is eliminated(long an undesirable 'feature').

The speed range is increased from 700-5200, to 250-10000.(One more shortcoming reduced).

The maintenance no longer requires diligent relubrication every 10 operating hours.

The mechanical drive system has been greatly simplified(hence more reliable).

These plus attributes are somewhat off set by a coulpa unkowns.

How reliable is the motor itself. A five yr warranty speaks well of it.

The control electronics. Probably not an issue, but it is unknown.

Heat is the major external factor affecting both.

Add to that list that you will no longer have to worry about somebody (or their kid) cranking hard on your speed control with the machine off and breaking something...
Why does everybody want to turn it so bad???
Maybe the old ones need an upgrade that connects the speed dial to a capacitor... Z A P !!!!!

Yeah, I know... But there are a few where I enjoy visualizing it...

[efmaron]

I am really glad to see that ShopSmith moved up to the digital age with the new head, for it may boost sales for those who like all the bells and whistles. I want to wish all that have ordered one the very best with them, anxious hear the reports. For myself I voted no don't need one, My 28 year old SS 500 does everything I need. Bought the double bearing quill a few months ago and as soon as my back and Bill Mayo's back get better I will take the hour and a half trip up to Bill's to give mine a tune up and I should be good to go for another 28 years. The new head will make sawing or planing or any of the operations easier with the added speed and torque but it will not make me a more skilled woodworker than I already am.

[JPG]

I am really glad to see that ShopSmith moved up to the digital age with the new head, for it may boost sales for those who like all the bells and whistles. I want to wish all that have ordered one the very best with them, anxious hear the reports. For myself I voted no don't need one, My 28 year old SS 500 does everything I need. Bought the double bearing quill a few months ago and as soon as my back and Bill Mayo's back get better I will take the hour and a half trip up to Bill's to give mine a tune up and I should be good to go for another 28 years. The new head will make sawing or planing or any of the operations easier with the added speed and torque but it will not make me a more skilled woodworker than I already am.

Won't help with carving either!;)

[paulrussell]

I have to admit to being a little mystified by a few posters who have made slightly negative comments (not necissarily in this thread) about needless technlogy, coupled with comments of it being the woodworker not the tool - the implication being that one might buy the PowerPro in hopes of becoming a better woodworker as a result.
These same comments, or something akin to them, have been made with every technological advance. Let's face it, the fine furniture made before the advent of power tools and carbide bits was better than anything I'll ever make using even the best of today's technology.
In buying a powerpro, I hope to make my work easier, not better. (perhaps giving me the time to do it over because of my mistakes).
For myself, I found it far harder to justify the cost of upgrading to the 520 than to the PowerPro.

[Stitch]

I am looking at the polling results in the first article of this thread. I see an almost perfect "bell curve". I think a statistician would say this is a perfect distribution indicating that all is normal and as should be expected.

[JPG]

I am looking at the polling results in the first article of this thread. I see an almost perfect "bell curve". I think a statistician would say this is a perfect distribution indicating that all is normal and as should be expected.

Now all that is needed is to make the zero slope part 'HIGHER'!;) That will help ss's future!

[Ed in Tampa]

Ed, I am curious how the announcement of the Power Pro is an incentive to get rid of your Shopsmith. Are you concerned that this introduction will cause the company to fail? Or?

Personally, I have decided on the do nothing option. But, I am anxious to hear from those who have or will have the new headstock.

Remember I'm accused by some of being the perpetual pessimist.
However we all know Shopsmith is in financial hard times as is the rest of the country. We have already seen Shopsmith to prevent financial disaster close and reopen under a new corporate name.

I totally believe the PowerPro is capable of saving the company if it had been priced lower. Only 8% of what I think we must consider the most active Shopsmith users have bought it and less that 22% say they might. That is a very small percentage less than a third, the rest either don't see it as attractive enough. My guess is this is not enough revenue to pull the company out of the hole.

For $1900 you can get a lot of very nice wood working equipment today.

I know many are hoping this will generate hype in the magazines and I hope it does. However other than the power issue the PowerPro does not address any of the other issues often cited as weaknesses in the Shopsmith. I suspect the end analysis by the press will be if you are a new woodworker you would have to buy a $3500 machine then spend $1900 on an upgrade. For that kind of money you can outfit a shop with some very nice equipment and have money left over.

My opinion I hope I'm wrong!

As for thrashing my shop and buying new, I think I will wait it looks like the economy in Europe may be tanking and who knows I might be able to buy a Festool for a reasonable price.

[dusty]

I don't understand, JPG, what you are trying to say but the only thing I can think of that would make Shopsmith happier (with this curve) would be to skew it way to the left by drastically increasing the number in the Already Ordered column while decreasing the numbers in the two right hand columns.

Wish I could help by doing my part.