Shopsmith Forums

Some tidbits from the archives relative to the history of Magna Engineering

I will be commenting on the content, not specifically quoting it verbatim, but it does speak to dates and times, and production runs in general. I can confirm that 10,000 machines were already produced before this article was written on July 2nd 1948, and indeed before June 2nd 1948, perhaps well before June 1948, as you will read below.

In an article in the San Francisco News, written by News Industrial Reporter Alex Streloff dated July 2, 1948 at a time when Magna was just under one year old, Magna who already employed about 200 people Bay Area, announced Expanded Production in a new Eastern Branch Plant.

September 6, 1947 a contract was written for production of 1000 Shopsmiths with General Engineering and Drydock Corp. Magna paid for the tooling-up and the patterns, and produced many of the parts themselves.

The first 250 of those went to Montgomery Ward November 15, 1947, with many others to soon follow through that distribution source. Magna also had an outside sales force demonstrating machines in all sorts of venues.

It was noted in the 1948 article that sales for the current year were expected to run between three and four million dollars for a company still in its infancy.

The announcement stated the Eastern Branch was being created to save eastbound freight rates on Shopsmiths, prepaid by Magna. It stated a contract had been signed with The National Acme Co. of Cleveland to insure a 2500 monthly tool production on a one-shift basis.

Output from Eastern Production was to start in August 1948. The timeline was almost concurrent with what we believe to be the release of the upgraded 10ER.

This was done in concert with Macys of New York who had already ordered a car load (rail car) of the tools and their Eastern State marketing push in August.

The article confirmed that the first 250 were delivered Nov 15th (That would be 1947) to Montgomery Ward & Co., and that since then orders have been ahead of Magna’s ability to produce for the 367 stores over the nation with orders in queue. Production at the time was stated to already be more than 2000 units per month.

Bob Chambers revealed at the time, in addition to current day to day orders, Ward had just signed a contract for more than a million dollars more that currently being sold.

A curious tidbit that I had wondered about the significance of the Chrome Plated 10ER from the photo with Bob Chambers that I included in the center of the page in a 10E/ER manual I reworked. I will attach it for reference.

The article stated that the 10,000th machine was specially chrome plated to commemorate the production number and on display at the 1948 Bay Area Industrial Exposition, so we now know where that photo was taken. Some differences exist on the production number milestone 10K, 20K or 25K. I verified the Opening Ceremony for it occurred June 02, 1948 when Oakland Mayor Joseph Smith cut a chain with a torch to open exposition as other Bay Area officials looked on.

Another was done for the Eastern Plant, and another for the Australian Company, but I believe it was done by them to mark a sales achievement, not for them by Manga.

The history of the chromed machine apparently was given to Magna Engineer Anthony (Tony) Fox, by the company. Yes that is the same Tony Fox who then went in to completion with Shopsmith producing the Fox Super Shop (a redesigned multipurpose tool) opposed to a clone of the Shopsmith as others tried.

The Fox Super Shop rights were acquired by Smithy, then was made in China, popping up in the US through Harbor Freight under the Central Machinery Brand.

Robert Folkerth put me in contact with a fellow in Chicago who owns that chromed machine now. It has some interesting history of its own, and was the inspiration for two more that I know existed but have not located.

The fellow in Chicago also has the custom plaque commemorating its transfer to Tony Fox. I tried unsuccessfully to reach him while I was in Dayton so I could pop over to Chicago and photograph him with it, the plaque, and get the rest of the story of its provenance and history. He replied to me after I had returned to Texas and sent me some photos. I will try to find them.

My understanding is that it is for sale based on my conversation with Mr. Folkerth. Apparently he approached Shopsmith to see if they wanted to buy it back for a museum piece, but Shopsmith does not have a museum to put it in, and had little interest in investing what he asked. I did not even find what he wanted for the machine as I am a historian, not a museum curator interested in antiquity acquisitions.

What is it worth? I have no clue. As in all things, I think it is worth only what someone with the means and the desire to acquire and transport it is willing to part with. Without sounding like Harry Potter’s character relative to an artifact that one could possess but not use, if I were to acquire it, it would be used, frequently. I feared it would be out of the scope of what I was willing to pay so I never engaged in serious conversation about acquiring it.

If one of you readers acquires or have already have acquired it, perhaps I can interview you about it and the value you placed on it.

Everett UPDATE: I have negotiated with the owner and have acquired this machine which I will pick up in the spring as the north thaws out.

Here is a photo of how that machine looks today based on the photos from the current owner.

Everett

My O MY O My!!!!! I can't wait for more. This is already more than we have known.

Hans Goldschmidt's files were only a portion of the Shopsmith Story that I went to Dayton to obtain.

I wanted to try to tie the Shopsmith Story together and Robert L. Folkerth, (John's son) gave me access to historical documents not only from Hans, but from Shopsmith Inc. (the company founded when Shopsmith was resurrected from the dead).

He graciously met with me and gave me some background information on "The Rest of the Story" of how his father came to own the Magna Radial Arm Saw that started him on the path to rebuilding the company.

I have attached 4 files to give you an idea of what is coming.

Robert L. Folkerth - President, Chief Operating Officer and Director at Shopsmith provided me the box of reference materials from Hans and things he provided himself in their Dayton Office last month.

Imag0065 John R. Folkerth's fax to Bob Chambers and Frank Chambers dated February 5, 1992 thanking them for meeting with him as he attempted to write the story which was also foundational information in his resurrection of the company.

I have that, with the bits and pieces he collected, as well as an extensive 33 page transcript of telephone conversation and frank Q & A, some of which will be shared here over time, other material in the book, and some simply will not make the cutting room floor so to speak due to the volume of it.

That is in addition to the extensive factory photo tour I was given by Jim McCann while there in May.

I have attached a photo with Jim and I in a room you are all familiar with, as well as a snapshot at the dinner we shared with Jim, Nick and our wives later that week. Nick has published many books and I wanted his recommendations on process and media in today’s market. As I get closer, I will create a poll for forum members to weigh in.

I am doing some deep research and trying to get authoritative answers to questions of interest to many.

Everett

Hey, I’ve been to that restaurant! Before I had an interest in shopsmith, my work took me to dayton for three months and our last night we ate at that same spot!

What a great thread. I am in awe as to what may come from this. Thank you Everett for a wonderful process!

Assuming you will do your usual excellent work with this project like previous less ambitious ones!

I have one burning desire for thee to nail down for future generations: The history/sequence of Mark 5 vs Mark V model designation. I have my opinion/conclusions, but they be mere conjecture. Also the apparent total lack of recognition by SS INC et al of Mark 5's existence.

So can I assume they allowed you to take pictures within the building on POE avenue including assembly/manufacturing area(s). If so they have great faith in your integrity.

I also await eagerly for further 'tidbits' as well as the end result(there may be more than one).

I also hope this endeavor is successful from a monetary stand point if so relevant.

Everett,
Great stuff which is already filling in the blanks. I do have one question though. Above you said

The article confirmed that the first 250 were delivered Nov 15th (That would be 1947) to Montgomery Ward & Co., and that since then orders have been ahead of Magna’s ability to produce for the 367 stores over the nation with orders in queue. Production at the time was stated to already be more than 2000 units per month.

But everything I have seen until now has the date as October 15, 1947. I reference the following item

250 Model 10E to be delivered to Montgomery Wards by October 15, 1947 (Hands On Jan/Feb 80 Goldschmidt Interview)

Was Dr. Goldschmidt confused about the month when he did the 1980 interview?

JPG wrote:Assuming you will do your usual excellent work with this project like previous less ambitious ones!

I have one burning desire for thee to nail down for future generations: The history/sequence of Mark 5 vs Mark V model designation. I have my opinion/conclusions, but they be mere conjecture. Also the apparent total lack of recognition by SS INC et al of Mark 5's existence.

So can I assume they allowed you to take pictures within the building on POE avenue including assembly/manufacturing area(s). If so they have great faith in your integrity.

I also await eagerly for further 'tidbits' as well as the end result(there may be more than one).

I also hope this endeavor is successful from a monetary stand point if so relevant.

Yes I was provided unfettered access to Manufacturing, and indeed Jim McCann will be in most of the photos as he was explaining what was going on at the various stations. He was exceptionally helpful in my understanding of what was being done where and why. I agreed not to divulge the names of their local manufacturing sub contractors in the Dayton area who casts, stamps, anodizes or otherwise fabricates component pieces that are precision machined and fitted there in the Shopsmith plant.

I don't know about any monetary aspect of the book at this point. It isn't written, much less ready for publishing. I do know that I could have bought a new Mark 7 Power Pro for less than I invested in book research just thus far. It is a passion I have. That is the justification along with the fact that this book needs to be written.

I respected Shopsmith before I went. Let me say that it escalated to a new level as I viewed what they do and how the collection of 'Companies Shopsmith' have sustained and endured, and met the folks there now.

So, JPG here's that answer...J

Some background: In thread titled: "SS Inc. did make Mark 5s before Mark Vs" http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/viewt ... 53#p202853

You posted the vent plate for Mark 5 Serial Number SS 13695 produced by Shopsmith Inc. the company as resurrected by John R. Folkerth in 1972

That clearly proves Shopsmith Inc. made Mark 5's initially, before the Mark V.

chappmanruss posted a vent plate in Nicholasville KY for Mark 5 2641441 by Magna Engineering Corporation proving they Made Mark 5’s under that name.

I posted one for Mark 5 345971 from Magna Power Tool Corp. in post 245995 proving they Made Mark 5’s under that name. See those three images below.

Logically, Yuba made Shopsmiths between those Magna ones and Shopsmith Inc. so there should be a Mark 5 by Yuba vent plates out there somewhere. I just don’t have a photo of one yet.

The answer clearly is that Shopsmith Inc. produced Mark 5's before Mark V's came out. They apparently did not retain the production records through the years for that time period, or if they did, we have not found them anywhere.

I did a deep dive into the scanned data, because it was you who asked the question: I have confirmed:

The very first Mark V was produced by Shopsmith Inc. March 20, 1973 when the first Mark V rolled off the assembly line, Serial Number 1001 which their published serial number listing agrees with for 1973. No records were found for the period of 1972 during startup of the company...

John R. Folkerth was the founder of the Company and director and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company beginning 1972

January, 1972 - Corporation was formed

March 20, 1972 - Company was officially started with the deposit of necessary equity capital. (One year later to the day.... Mark V)

March 20, 1973 - First Mark V rolled off the assembly line.

March 31, 1973 - 1,940 Mark V units sold - Sales $215,526.00 - Employees 27 - Earnings (-$238,314.00)

I am not planning to do a deep data dive like this again, as I do not have any of the data converted to searchable text, and had to manually read images to extract the data. After I get the data searchable in a few weeks, I may can find a few other things of interest.

It is a laborious process to convert these scans via OCR as there are pen and pencil corrections throughout the scanned documents.

Everett
UPDATE: Since Original Post Russ sent me a Yuba Goldie Vent plate which you will read about in subsequent posts. I inserted it here for clarity.

chapmanruss wrote:Everett,
Great stuff which is already filling in the blanks. I do have one question though. Above you said

The article confirmed that the first 250 were delivered Nov 15th (That would be 1947) to Montgomery Ward & Co., and that since then orders have been ahead of Magna’s ability to produce for the 367 stores over the nation with orders in queue. Production at the time was stated to already be more than 2000 units per month.

But everything I have seen until now has the date as October 15, 1947. I reference the following item

250 Model 10E to be delivered to Montgomery Wards by October 15, 1947 (Hands On Jan/Feb 80 Goldschmidt Interview)

Was Dr. Goldschmidt confused about the month when he did the 1980 interview?

I would say yes he mis-spoke in the interview in 1980, which was 30 plus years after the event itself, opposed to the newspaper article which was a recorded interview by a newspaper in 1948 when the company was less than a year old, and he, a far younger man.

Newspapers and reporters in those days, did their own fact checking before copy went to the editors. I would say November is the accurate info., especially since it came from Hans own personal newspaper clippings he kept in the Magna scrapbook I took it from.

Everett