Shopsmith Forums

As a long time Shopsmith owner ( I purchased my Mark V in 1984), I am tired of the woodworking magazines ignoring this machine and its capabilities. I am considering writing, to a few of the magazine editors, a note such as the following:

"I don’t understand why your magazine completely ignores a very large population of woodworkers when it does machine comparisons and talks about small shops.

I’m one of thousands of Shopsmith owners and users. It is a machine that’s been around for many years, and you can still purchase replacement parts. While a design dates back to 1947, parts are still available for machines manufactured in the 1960’s forward. I don’t believe any other machine can make that claim. The Shopsmith is a workhorse of a machine and, as I’m sure you know, it can simply move through five important woodworking functions and then you can add on the special purpose tools (SPT). Yes, it has its pluses and minuses but for many of us, the pluses far outweigh the minuses.

The machine is especially great for woodworkers who have smaller woodworking/workshop space, yet when properly set up, it can provide a very large and stable saw table. It has a drill press that can change speeds by turning a dial rather than changing belts and pulleys. Etc, etc.

So why do you ignore this machine and us the owners and users?"

Before I send this out, I thought I'd get some feedback for the community. Do you agree with me? Are there any other salient points I should make? Does anyone know how many Shopsmith have been sold over the years? Am I correct in saying that parts are available for machines made in the 1960s - earlier or later?

Any ideas and input would be appreciated.

One thing to keep in mind is that many tool reviews, if not all, rely on manufacturers to send them either completely free or loaned tools to participate in the review. Many companies write these off as a cost of doing business. Reviewers rarely go out and spend their hard earned money to do a tool review...perhaps the only exception is Marc Spagnuolo (The Wood Whisperer). The only way magazines and any other tool reviewer, e.g. woodworking social media influencers might do a review of a Shopsmith system and compare/contrast it with others is IF Shopsmith sends them a machine to review. I can't speak for the company, but I would guess they haven't been doing this and/or don't feel they need to. Another thing to consider is there are no real comparisons today to a Shopsmith machine. I mean are they going to compare drill press mode to 4 other drill press companies, then compare tablesaw mode to 4 other ones, etc., etc.? What other multi-tool machines are out there to compare to? Do you see my point and how complicated this review might be for them to encapsulate in a standard length magazine article? Not saying you don't have a point and I appreciate your passion, but I just want you to understand the likely "why" behind this. Also, a bit of a chicken and egg here, i.e. until Shopsmith gives away or loans equipment out to reviewers, no one is going to give them a review. JMO.

P.S. When was the last time Shopsmith was featured in ANY magazine...was it the 1950's?

Are there still woodworking magazines?

algale wrote: ↑Fri Jun 16, 2023 8:25 pm Are there still woodworking magazines?

Wait, wasn't the last Shopsmith featurette in a Sunset mag or something? Might need an article or ad in BH&G!

P.S. I still get Fine Woodworking though I am still debating whether to keep getting it or not. What I really like is their online digital archive of past issues that is searchable, but I don't really read the mag as much anymore.

seajay62 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 16, 2023 3:25 pm Does anyone know how many Shopsmith have been sold over the years?

You may find this older thread useful. I wonder this myself as well. I know there are many more machines on the used market than those actually in use, i.e. lots of supply which is why prices can be very affordable on the used market. Someone guessed 600,000 total Mark V's in existence on that thread. May be a helpful reference.

I wonder how many active Shopsmith users there are and I wonder how many total viable machines are still out there somewhere - out of curiosity.

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seajay62 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 16, 2023 3:25 pm Before I send this out, I thought I'd get some feedback for the community. Do you agree with me? Are there any other salient points I should make? Does anyone know how many Shopsmith have been sold over the years? Am I correct in saying that parts are available for machines made in the 1960s - earlier or later?

I agree with you. Parts are available for Mark 5's from the mid-50's, 1954 I believe. Also upgrades and accessories are still available for those machines. Salient point - many machines from the 50's are still in everyday use. The quantities of Mark 5/V/7/4 series I hear are usually 600,000+.

- David

Any part from 1954 on that is no longer 'in production' will only be available from SS "while supplies last". Exceptions are those parts on the 'most often' list.

DLB wrote: ↑Fri Jun 16, 2023 9:50 pm Parts are available for Mark 5's from the mid-50's, 1954 I believe. Also upgrades and accessories are still available for those machines. Salient point - many machines from the 50's are still in everyday use.

I installed a DIY PowerPro headstock upgrade when I restored my 1954 Mark 5 - how many woodworking systems can make THAT claim??! Still can upgrade and repair after 70 years!!

That machine and a 1950 Model 10ER are the workhorses of my shop.
.

With an "A" headstock casting no less!!!!

JPG wrote: ↑Sat Jun 17, 2023 9:22 am With an "A" headstock casting no less!!!!

Let’s just say access holes are pretty “limited” on these oldest headstock castings… not much room for hands inside there either with all the components of the PowerPro!
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