Shopsmith Forums

I was wondering if anyone here has ever seen the Shop-King multi-function machine. Like the Shopsmith, it was a lathe based combination machine. It was designed by Ole Evinrude, of outboard motor fame, and had an integral band saw - neat! It was made in the 1930's. Here are a couple pictures from the Old Wood Working Machine site. Alec

Back in 1962. I was a senior ME student at Purdue and in the dead of Winter I drove an old "55 Buick without heat from W. Lafayette to Waukeegan IL for a job interview with Outboard Marine Corp.

I entered their lobby early at about 7:30 AM and while waiting, I occupied myself by inspecting some of the outboard motor cut-outs and demo units they had in the lobby.

An elderly man came up behind me and we engaged in a rather technical discussion concerning needle bearings, reed valves, ect. He was very knowledgeable and we we went at it for some time, very informally without any introductions, just two guys who happen to meet and share the same interest. At that time I was into stock outboard racing and I knew my outboard motors from A to Z.

The HR man came in and with an astonsished look acknowledged the presence of the elderly man, who wished me a good day and then walked out. The HR man then said to me, "Do you know who that was?" I said " No". "That", the HR man said, "is Ole Evenrude".

No. I didn't go to work there. They offered me a job in the Lawn Boy Division which I didn't accept. I've always hated cutting grass. But I'll never forget the fine down-to-earth gentleman I met in that lobby.

Thanks- That's a neat story. Alec

this post is pretty old but i have one of these in the basement of a house im conducting a sale at. Very cool machine. I couldnt believe that its from the 30s. What a find! i havent had the chance to clean it up or check it out yet, but keep forum updated.

Here is the Ebay listing number
263985628464