ShopSmith competitor

[rjent]

OK, not a competitor but kind of silly. I was pricing the components that would give at least the same function as a Mark 7 (but not the power) and I think you would spend about the same money putting this all together. Seemingly a cheesy setup .... JMO

Anyway, this is a video using the "machine" (lots of plastic) to make a butt joint pocket screwed picture frame.

http://www.wwgoa.com/video/making-pictu ... rs-010772/

Sorry for the link, it is a free video from WWGOA and not a Youtube. Interesting that a multifunction machine still has interest, even though not very well engineered IMO.....

[JPG]

I think that 'video' along with a similar one showing the same operations using a shopsmith by someone with a bit more understanding of the operations themselves would do wonders to increase SS sales.

Setup time? No wonder that is a nasty word amongst naysayers if that is what they envision it as.

[algale]

Tempted as I am to cast stones, I'm going to resist the temptation because I haven't seen one in person much less used one! After all, that's our number one reply to people who criticize Shopsmith, isn't it?

[benush26]

That Triton Work Center is interesting, even if it is a bit clumsy. I was in Portland a few years back to watch a demo of it. If you have a small work area or need to setup shop onsite, it does have some benefits. The drop in area in the middle will take their router table, a table saw, and a Festool like MFT. In concept it is very much like a Festool MFT. The legs are adjustable and rails along two ends can hold clamps, jigs and such.
The demonstrator had a cutaway 8 x 12 storage shed (one side wall was gone so we could watch) and did everything within the confines of that shed.
The integration of all the parts is nice. Many of the knobs and such are the same so if one breaks or goes missing, you can grab one from another piece.
Back then the table alone was more than $300 plus the table tops (MFT, router and saw) would function most easily with Triton tools. At that time they were considering a jig saw (blade pointing up with a protective cover) and the demonstrator had made a jig to hold one of their belt sanders. The rip fence was about the size of one on a 500, but had lots of adjustability/flexibity built in.
The demonstrator kept on referring to it as a multifunction work station, rather than a multifunction tool. Unlike George, he was adept and swapping out set ups and making adjustments. He too demonstrated making a picture frame, though no pocket holes, but instead made a spline joint on mitered corners.
I have the Triton router and because it works so well, have given much thought to their track saw (which by the way integrates well into this work station)
I would say that I would be quite uncomfortable trying to make items on it as large as the Shopsmith could accommodate.
I'm not certain what their target market would be. Maybe a hobbiest with very limited space or a professional with a need for a job site work station designed around using Triton products.

Anyway, it was a very interesting and well thought out piece of equipment, just not anything I could see me using (especially at that price), but then again, how much have I spent on wood working toys!?!

Be well,
Ben

[reible]

I did a thread on this a while back:

http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/viewt ... on#p206070

I don't see this as compitition but just another tool that will appeal to certain people, and well that includes me.

There are a lot of videos out there including the one in my link so I would watch those for a better idea of how this tool works.

Ed

[garys]

It looks like it can do the job for most hobbyists much like our Shopsmiths do. It can be the right tool if it fits your needs.
I suspect that most of us already have more than enough tools in our shop to make picture frames without miters if we need them.
Simply using your table mounted router with rail and stile bits and your table saw, it is quite easy to do.

[swampgator]

I must totally agree with JPG. Either he pushed the wood very hard and fast or the table saw is much underpowered. There were too many gadgets for setups and it took much longer than expected. The first time I saw a Shopsmith demo, I found it to meet all my desires and capabilities. That's MHO.

Steve, the old gator

[Gene Howe]

The saw and router set ups are not impressive, at least to me. If I were just setting up a shop, I might consider it. But my venerable old MK5s and a Jointech system on one, do the job quite well.
I've seen the Festool MFT in action and that really does impress me. As does most of their tools. But, our home is free and clear. I doubt if I could talk the wife in to re-mortgaging it so I could have more toys.

[KJacobson]

It looks like a pretty slick setup. One bench for several tools. I don’t see it as competition to the Shopsmith as much as a lower end alternative. It’s similar to what I built in my small shop before I got a Shopsmith. Just a bench that could hold different tools.

[JPG]

I see large 'SPTs' and a common use bench and very large items that require storage and a lot of plastic(think Mark VII!). Interesting though.