Shopsmith Forums

The powerpro is a great upgrade but its been out for years. They really should consider upgrading the add ons, The power pro can now support larger spec add ons.

Examples,

Bandsaw with larger throat, 12" maybe. Great for getting turning blanks ready.
6-8" jointer,

or even make a new drum sander,

Those are likely some of the more popular add ons and everyone buys them used.

It seems like they are happy with being a parts company. The company does some strange things.

You would probably need a chain hoist to get an 8" jointer mounted.

Maybe, but they sell inexpensive bench jointers that are 6+ inch so 6 is still mobile. I guess my point is, they upgraded the powerpro, why not the rest of the tools.

jsburger wrote:You would probably need a chain hoist to get an 8" jointer mounted.

I picked a Menards clone 6" jointer for my nephews SS, it is a bit longer also, it is a on the heavy side to be changing in on and off for me. Not for him though.

The weight thing is something that could be designed differently. An aluminum Fence could help with weight, and under the bed could be a lighter metal.

tdorey wrote:Maybe, but they sell inexpensive bench jointers that are 6+ inch so 6 is still mobile. I guess my point is, they upgraded the powerpro, why not the rest of the tools.

I sorta agree and yet disagree somewhat. The PowerPro is really much more than an upgrade. It is really a new machine sitting on an old frame. Don't take me wrong!! I do not mean to be knocking the PowerPro.

Why not the rest of the tools?

What would you change that is an upgrade? Reducing the weight of the jointer; I don't think so. It would not do its job any better. Old guys like me might be able to move it easier but that is a convenience factor.

I would like to have a bandsaw that ran smooth as silk and made little or no noise but the current bandsaw (if properly maintained and aligned) works about as well as any bandsaw that I might want to replace it. Now, I am not saying that this bandsaw works as well as a large throat Powermatic but it works as well as any comparable bandsaw on the market.

Upgrade --- that is a marketing tactic.

Belt Sander, Strip Sander, Surface Planer --- no, no and no. What would you have done to upgrade them? Make them bigger and more expensive and maybe even capable of supporting larger projects. But those are not, in my mind, upgrades. Those are redesigns to meet new standards for a "home workshop".

dusty wrote:

tdorey wrote:Maybe, but they sell inexpensive bench jointers that are 6+ inch so 6 is still mobile. I guess my point is, they upgraded the powerpro, why not the rest of the tools.

I sorta agree and yet disagree somewhat. The PowerPro is really much more than an upgrade. It is really a new machine sitting on an old frame. Don't take me wrong!! I do not mean to be knocking the PowerPro.

Why not the rest of the tools?

What would you change that is an upgrade? Reducing the weight of the jointer; I don't think so. It would not do its job any better. Old guys like me might be able to move it easier but that is a convenience factor.

It would like to have a bandsaw that ran smooth as silk and made little or no noise but the current bandsaw (if properly maintained and aligned) works about as well as any bandsaw that I might want to replace it. Now, I am not saying that this bandsaw works as well as a large throat Powermatic but it works as well as any comparable bandsaw on the market.

Upgrade --- that is a marketing tactic.

Belt Sander, Strip Sander, Surface Planer --- no, no and no. What would you have done to upgrade them? Make them bigger and more expensive and maybe even capable of supporting larger projects. But those are not, in my mind, upgrades. Those are redesigns to meet new standards for a "home workshop".

Right on Dusty!!!

Upgrading can be a marketing tactic, Iphone 4, 5 6 and 7. for example.

However,

Lift Assist
520 Tables
520 Fence
Larger Casters
Magnet Quill Rod
Lathe Rest
PowerPro

All upgrades that I own or want. They must add some value.

So Do I buy the 6" $200 jointer on Amazon or the 4" $500 SS jointer. Twice the cost with less capability . Yes the SS jointer is better and will last longer. But that is not the point. A garage Hobby guy won't see it like that.

Dusty I agree changing the weight of the jointer just to reduce it makes no sense. But reducing the weight to be able to increase it's capacity keeping the weight the same makes sense.

Shopsmith should develop a thickness sander,

Shopsmith should redesign the bandsaw, increasing dust collection, improving blade tensioning, include an easy way to remove blade tension, use ball bearing blade guides and increase throats size.

Shopsmith should develop an add on that would provide tablesaw capabilities with blade tilt and height movement instead of the table. Perhaps a total replacement main table that carries a Saw arbor and carriage the allows the blade height and tilt adjustments to be mad. In this they could seal the unit and develop dust collection ports.

When they build this they should also develop flesh sensing technology to protect users.

Develop a rack and pinion system to raise and lower head stock when in drill press mode.

The shopsmith is designed using tubes (way and bench) why not utilize them. They hold potential for pneumatic and hydraulic use. Power carriage movement, power Head stock movement, power tool holder movement ( as in CNC ) . In fact a screw shaft could be put in them to move things.

tdorey wrote:Upgrading can be a marketing tactic, Iphone 4, 5 6 and 7. for example.

However,

Lift Assist
520 Tables
520 Fence
Larger Casters
Magnet Quill Rod
Lathe Rest
PowerPro

All upgrades that I own or want. They must add some value.

So Do I buy the 6" $200 jointer on Amazon or the 4" $500 SS jointer. Twice the cost with less capability . Yes the SS jointer is better and will last longer. But that is not the point. A garage Hobby guy won't see it like that.

I am not throwing stones at all, but I think that IS the point. For many of us better and lasting longer is why we buy ... and stick with ... (customer loyalty: a marketing flag) Shopsmith. Yes, you can buy China junk, and replace it over and over, or buy something like SS once and know what you have.

This thread implies that many of the features of the Shopsmith and the SS SPT's are out dated. That you NEED a 6 inch or even an 8 inch jointer, a larger planer, etc. But aren't THOSE just marketing ploys to get a customer base to repurchase? Sure there are times when a larger jointer or planer would come in handy. But we all know it would be the same if we had larger jointers and planers.

This is a home workshop SYSTEM that has been used by millions of woodworkers for 70 years. Has woodworking changed that much? Seriously.

I bought SS because my FIL had a shop full of dedicated tools and he told me that if he did it over again, he would have populated his shop with a SS. That was good enough for me. I have not regretted it ...

JMHO