Shopsmith Forums

As many of us have noted in these posts, we're grateful to be a part of such a strong community of Shopsmith enthusiasts, as we support each other with advice, encouragement, and spare parts! And we appreciate the contributions of the individuals at Shopsmith, Inc. who continue to innovate around these great products, even in a challenging business environment.

With that backdrop, there's a pretty significant date coming up later this year with the 75th anniversary of the introduction of the original Model 10-E Shopsmith, and I for one think this is worth celebrating within this great community! How are we going to do it?? Does it warrant some sort of collective pilgrimage to the Mother Ship in Dayton? Do we organize a convention to give us a chance to meet one another?

Let's think big and see what we can do together! What are your ideas??

Not sure Poe Ave is prepared for a pilgrimage.

JPG wrote: ↑Fri Mar 25, 2022 10:41 pm Not sure Poe Ave is prepared for a pilgrimage.

Well, sure, it’ll take a bit more than balloons and bunting to polish the place up, but I bet a lot of people would still appreciate a factory tour (I enjoyed mine a few years back!). Dayton also has the advantage of being geographically central for a lot of folks…

So, any interest within the community to make this happen? What would make it worthwhile?

I guess a number of questions would have to be answered first.

Would Shopsmith entertain such an event?

Who would Shopsmith have at the event?

How many people would be able to attend?

What date would it be held? Would it be November 15, the date the first Shopsmith Model 10E's were shipped to Montgomery Ward? Some sources have that as October 15.

chapmanruss wrote: ↑Sat Mar 26, 2022 1:42 pm I guess a number of questions would have to be answered first.

Would Shopsmith entertain such an event?

Who would Shopsmith have at the event?

How many people would be able to attend?

What date would it be held? Would it be November 15, the date the first Shopsmith Model 10E's were shipped to Montgomery Ward? Some sources have that as October 15.

We could certainly ask those questions of them, but if there’s enough interest from individuals, we could proceed regardless of the corporate response.

I’m happy to reach out to Shopsmith Inc to start that discussion.

If a few other contributors on this thread want to do some brainstorming on the framework for a celebration event, that might help us get the ball rolling.

I like the concept. This is a difficult to time to plan ahead for travel though, hard to tell what will be affecting the world 7 or 8 months from now. I'm sure that people who couldn't travel for such an event would still want to participate virtually.

Why don't you speak to Shopsmith and see if they're interested. And maybe they have some kind anniversary plans of there own.

I'm not sure Shopsmith will celebrate this anniversary at all. When they came out with the 50th Anniversary edition Mark 5's around 2003. I would guess that was to celebrate the 50th. anniversary of the Mark V. That would indicate to me that they may not consider anything before the introduction of the original Mark V as being apart of their history. Perhaps because the current company we know as Shopsmith had noting to do with the 10E & 10ER or Magna Engineering. As far as I know, John Folkerth bought out Magna America in 1971, which was so distant from being anything close to the same company as Magna Engineering.

We should have seen a 50th anniversary in 1997, if 1947 was a significant year to the current Shopsmith company. But I doubt there will be a celebration honoring 1947 as being "year 1" for Shopsmith as a product or a company. Even if we think or know it is. Not to say you couldn't schedule a factory tour as a group to celebrate as owners.

If Shopsmith is still in business in 2028, then we might see a "75 Anniversary Edition" Mark 4, 5 & 7's, but probably not much more than that.

P.S. If you do schedule a tour, let me know. I work just 3 miles away from Shopsmith HQ, and it would be nice to put faces with the names of you guys.

edma194 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 26, 2022 4:35 pm I like the concept. This is a difficult to time to plan ahead for travel though, hard to tell what will be affecting the world 7 or 8 months from now. I'm sure that people who couldn't travel for such an event would still want to participate virtually.

Why don't you speak to Shopsmith and see if they're interested. And maybe they have some kind anniversary plans of there own.

Ed - thanks very much for your positive thoughts and input! I’m hoping I can hear from others in the same fashion.

I share your concerns about travel uncertainty, but if this event proceeds, I hope we can include as many people from as many locales as possible.

Maybe a New England Shopsmith Users get-together this summer for those of us in our area is also feasible!

If in Dayton, count me in. I live only about an hour away.

I don’t know if any of Nick’s Wright-flyer reproduction operations are active at present, but it would be wonderful if we could meet Nick and see some aviation history as one of the activities.

I would love to attend an in person celebration, but living in San Diego it would be a long drive and, mirroring Ed’s concern, I’m not ready to plan for any air travel.

I think that ShopSmith’s not recognizing the Model 10s anniversary would be a missed marketing opportunity. They should also do a 75th Mk5 anniversary when that comes around.

Whether it’s live or virtual, I think it should include a tour, demos, session(s) on advanced examples of how to use the ShopSmith, top jigs used by woodworkers to increase accuracy and aid in attaining consistent repetitive activities on the ShopSmith, and some topic panels with 3 or 4 presenters whose presentations initiate open discussion with questions or shared experiences. Of course there should be visiting time. Some of these are easier to do in person, but several could be done virtually too.

Just some ideas tossed out there.