Shopsmith Forums

I read a lot of woodworking forums. I have noticed a little more interest in Shopsmith tools like the Pro-Planer. I for one have been linking like crazy to Nick's videos for questions like planer care. Looks like Nick's videos are having an impact.

I also think it is some backlash from all the manufacturing moves to China.
People are getting feed up with loosing jobs, and paying higher prices for lower quality. Hopefully more people will wake up to the fact if we keep shipping our manufacturing overseas we will stop producing anything tangible in this country. When that happens we then become dependant on the world for our well fare.
Not a good position to be in especially with China vowing to bury us.
Ed

China could bury us already, they hold trillions in our debt.
I think yoiu both are correct in the reasons for the renewed interest.
Nick & Drew have definately been instrumental in getting the word out there. Members of this forum have been linking to those vids. on other forums.

Go get em SS!:D

Call me silly, but I look for the "made in USA" label in everything I purchase. Of course it is not always possible to find, but given a choice I will purchase home grown. Hopefully it means a product made by people who take pride in what they do, at least it is my belief.

+1 Gary, and I think you would be hard pressed to find a member on this site that doesn't feel that way.

I ordered some stuff the other day and asked the customer service gal about a back order and she filled me in, then asked me if I wanted the goods that were available to be shipped out.
I said well that would cost extra money for the extra shipping.
She said "oh no it won't cost you a thing".
I said, No it would cost you guys extra money, just hold tight until everything is there.
She thanked me for the comment.
I've only had one other business do that and he is a personal friend.
I'm saving all my money (what little there is) to re-outfit my shop with Shopsmith equipment in place of my stolen stuff.
If only SS made routers and circular saws.

I agree: buy US made, or at the VERY least, do not buy made in China. I have been preaching this for 30 years.

I read this posting and feel for you guys in the US of A. Out here we get what the importers bring in and pay the price. Since getting my hands on the shopsmith and having to order parts to get it up to scratch, I truly believe you are dead on with your comments about keeping it in the country. We have had a 'Brain Drain' here with the qualified folk leaving in droves and the country struggling to run with the ones that have stayed. I was one. I returned to NZ because of family ties and have no regrets. Getting back on topic, when I received my new parts to to the quill upgrade, there were 3 like minded individuals who saw what I had and the drooled over the quality of the machining of these parts. The Machine serves me well and I wouldn't change it for individual tools. I do have a separate router and scroll saw, but the ability to self maintain the ss means that one gains a better understanding and RESPECT for the quality of said machine. My only misgiving is that there are no agents out here to help when I need it but there again they would charge their fee on top of shipping that I pay for anyway so I appreciate the help of this forum.
With the risk of being called a 'fanboy' - and its only a name, :- )
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GUYS and KEEP IT IN THE USA.

Thanks & Regards
Sandy

Wow, Sandy, I did not realize until your post just now that you are in New Zealand. That's fantastic! I'm glad you are participating in our forum.

Paul

I'm sort of glad that Shopsmith is not into routers and drills and circular saws. I believe that part of our problem is that too many corporations are trying to be everything to everyone. We are doing away with competition and free enterprise.

Big airlines want the small carriers to go away, super markets want the mom and pop grocery store to go away, the big box stores want the neighborhood hardware store to go away, Delta wants Shopsmith to go away.......I think you might get my point.

If you think I'm wrong jump on it but let's move this to a different thread.

dusty wrote:Big airlines want the small carriers to go away, super markets want the mom and pop grocery store to go away, the big box stores want the neighborhood hardware store to go away, Delta wants Shopsmith to go away.......I think you might get my point.

This is one reason that I now frequent places like Home Depot & Lowes much less and instead visit my local Ace/TrueValue hardware store which is not only closer but the staff there are actually able and willing to help you find a particular nut,bolt or toilet brush if need be.. Sure, they don't have 100% of what the others have but for 90% of what I'm doing at home they've got it.. I also realize that their prices are not that great in some areas -- we were at WalMart (a store I try to avoid at all cost) and bought a small bottle of dishwashing detergent (ajax) for $0.97.. The same bottle at the local Ace H/W store was $2.75 or thereabouts.. Now, I'm sure that Walmart was pressuring the company that makes that product into lower pricing as they do with most of their suppliers.. Who knows -- perhaps the ajax detergent was made in China.. I've not had a chance to look..

By the way, if you've never seen the PBS Frontline show entitled "Is Wal-mart good for america?", I highly suggest it.. Sorry if I strayed a bit..