Shopsmith Forums

Back-in-the-day, in 1986, I won my Shopsmith and didn't have a clue what I was doing. I hadn't woodworked since Jr High woodworking class back in 1974. There wasn't any youtube, VCRs were expensive and if I wanted to learn it was going to be with books.

I used the owner's manual to set everything up. Then I dove into the other book, Power Tool Woodworking for Everyone by DeCristoforo. My first project was a set of speaker stands for some old Cerwin Vega speakers. Then I started turning bowls. I eventually took a class from my local community college and that really advanced my skills. Nowdays with all the online content I imagine it's a little easier to start out but I really enjoyed the process BITD.

Eric

Yes! most important to me was the self study course.

I think I would have liked to learn "by the book" , but I thank the Internet for giving me the tools for learning this art. At 63 (now 66) I have been able to gain 20 years of knowledge in 3 giving me the ability to do what I am able to do now. I read the manuals a couple of times, practiced all of the safety tips and drilled them into my head as much as possible, and read Christoforo many times including the 10ER based book that I bought. I had never operated a table saw when I bought my first Shopsmith(s). I feel that anything is now possible (I DO know my limitations), and am willing to try just about anything. This site has been invaluable for all things SS as well as woodworking.
What an amazing art/hobby!

charlese wrote:Yes! most important to me was the self study course.

I did a bunch of the self-study course but didn't finish all the lessons. I was ready to dive in and start making my own projects.

Me too. Started with my Shopsmith in 1993, and pretty much book learned; except, to the the extent of my high school experience. I majored in shop in high school .

Learned by the literature that came with my Mark V (no a power Pro) and OJT. Bought mine in 1984 so not much going on in the internet then ;-)

Jack

Bought mine in 63. What book? Did not get PTWFE.

I think I should have bought the book.

I do not recall a 'course' then.

Tapes/DVD? Whazzat?

I think for the most part nearly everyone did. The traveling academies were active but it took years for them to make their rounds, in the era of the stores they were pretty widely scattered so I think most everyone except those few that had close Shopsmith neighbors or relatives used the material that came with the Shopsmiths to learn it's full functions.

The self study courses were designed to take you through every aspect of the machine. There was also the Hands on Magazine which often included handy pointers. Then Nick started a weekly video school which I know many on the forum watched.

I had basic woodworking training from mid and high school shop classes and working in the trades but as we all know the Shopsmith is an unique animal.

Ed in Tampa wrote:I think for the most part nearly everyone did. The traveling academies were active but it took years for them to make their rounds, in the era of the stores they were pretty widely scattered so I think most everyone except those few that had close Shopsmith neighbors or relatives used the material that came with the Shopsmiths to learn it's full functions.

The self study courses were designed to take you through every aspect of the machine. There was also the Hands on Magazine which often included handy pointers. Then Nick started a weekly video school which I know many on the forum watched.

I had basic woodworking training from mid and high school shop classes and working in the trades but as we all know the Shopsmith is an unique animal.

I should probably drag my Self Study Course out and read it. Yup. I have it but have never used it. There are probably many things covered there that I don't know.

I have never been a "book learner". I do much better (my own evaluation) with the age old, hands on, learn from your own mistakes approach to education.

I thought the "Traveling Academy" was the way to go. I really regret that they are no longer available. Back then, the Academy was typically in Tucson twice a year. I have attended no less than seven sessions and while much of that was repetitive I still learned a lot and I enjoyed them.

I did. Bought mine new in '83. I don't consider the lesson plan a woodworking course but rather a "how to use a Shopsmith for specific woodworking tasks". If you want to make a compound miter, the lesson plan shows how to properly setup the machine to do that. There is a learning curve to get around but the curve is slight and you will get around it quickly.
Bill V