Shopsmith Forums

This is what you get when attempting to access SSUG.com!

http://curry.cirtexhosting.com/suspende ... at&catid=4

The target linked to above is what we WERE getting when attempting to go to ssug.ORG(not .com). Apparently it now works 2:15edt 30aug,2009

The SSUG site is run on contributions. Participation has been down and I would assume contributions with it. I don't know that this is what happened but I would bet on it.

We tend to take these things for granted! It will be a great loss if that is what has happened AND it should serve as a forewarning.

dusty wrote:The SSUG site is run on contributions. Participation has been down and I would assume contributions with it. I don't know that this is what happened but I would bet on it.

We tend to take these things for granted! It will be a great loss if that is what has happened AND it should serve as a forewarning.

My conclusions/fears also!:eek: Hopefully it IS temporary!:)

I guess I'm a one pony show but I fail to understand the purpose of multiple forums on the same subject.

Before the Shopsmith.net forum there was the Yahoo user group. In my opinion user group technology is ancient and really not conducive to true forum type discussions. With the advent of new technology (forum based) the SSUG was opened. But it never had the following and had money problems almost from day one. Then the Shopsmith.net forum came into being. Great user base, used by people with tons of knowledge and life experience using the Shopsmith.

I can't imagine a question our resident experts can't answer or project that someone hasn't already tried. I have seen people post pictures of their work, accomplishments, ideas here that touch just about every aspect of woodworking. Many times a question is asked that is not only answered but is answered with a picture or technicial drawing that totally illustrates not only the problem but a workable answer. Something I rarely or ever saw on either of the other two forums/DGs.

I fail to understand why the two older forums have lasted this long. I have stopped using both when this site came on line. The times that I have visited the old sites I noticed the many of the same contributors from this site were posting nearly identical posts on those sites. Something that made little or no sense to me. But again that is just me. And like I said I'm probably a one pony show on this subject.

One thing people say is what happens if Shopsmith goes away. My answer is I have always been taught "to pay for my seat." Instead of only buying from e-bay if you want this site to continue on for your grandchildren, "pay for you seat" buy from Shopsmith from time to time. If every user of this forum would make a few purchases throughout the year from Shopsmith I believe Shopsmith would be on sound financial terms.

Ed sums up my exact thoughts on the matter, and also did a MUCH better job that I could in articulating it!! I'll take you for my speech writer anytime Ed.

When it comes to a ShopSmith forum, nothing comes close to this one. Not only is the format terrific but the activity and expertise is also.

Ed in Tampa wrote:I guess I'm a one pony show but I fail to understand the purpose of multiple forums on the same subject.

Before the Shopsmith.net forum there was the Yahoo user group. In my opinion user group technology is ancient and really not conducive to true forum type discussions. With the advent of new technology (forum based) the SSUG was opened. But it never had the following and had money problems almost from day one. Then the Shopsmith.net forum came into being. Great user base, used by people with tons of knowledge and life experience using the Shopsmith.

I can't imagine a question our resident experts can't answer or project that someone hasn't already tried. I have seen people post pictures of their work, accomplishments, ideas here that touch just about every aspect of woodworking. Many times a question is asked that is not only answered but is answered with a picture or technicial drawing that totally illustrates not only the problem but a workable answer. Something I rarely or ever saw on either of the other two forums/DGs.

I fail to understand why the two older forums have lasted this long. I have stopped using both when this site came on line. The times that I have visited the old sites I noticed the many of the same contributors from this site were posting nearly identical posts on those sites. Something that made little or no sense to me. But again that is just me. And like I said I'm probably a one pony show on this subject.

One thing people say is what happens if Shopsmith goes away. My answer is I have always been taught "to pay for my seat." Instead of only buying from e-bay if you want this site to continue on for your grandchildren, "pay for you seat" buy from Shopsmith from time to time. If every user of this forum would make a few purchases throughout the year from Shopsmith I believe Shopsmith would be on sound financial terms.

Another 'pony'; My observations are that ssug was more generic with more emphasis on model 10s. This site is ALMOST all mark V/5! This site has more better advice givers than that yahoo site. Also there is not that asinine delay that occurs on the yahoo site. The ssug site did have the ability to allow swapping/selling/requesting that IS prohibited here.

All that said these sites ARE different strokes for different folks. SAD If one of them has passed away!

I like and have joined a lot of sites. first one was probably the Ssug site, the second was the yahoo shopsmith10erusers site. Then the Yahoo SSusers site. then this site. I have totally dropped the Yahoo Ssusers site for personal reasons. I stuck mainly with the yahoo 10er site and this site because most of the guys and ladies I know and have visited with are on these sites. I agree that all sites have something to offer but I never like to see a site leave. Remember a few weeks ago we thought this site was gone. Then who or where would we have turned. So all sites have something to offer and for my 2 mkv's I come here and for my 6 ER's I go there. I know there are a lot of ER uses here but I feel each site has something to offer each of us. How many of us find each other on many other wood sites so I look forward to finding many more sites and many more friends.

Here is another PONY, I have visited some of the other Forum's:( , but always come back H O M E

I first joined the original SSUG site that led to the "gatherings" in Dayton. After it shut down, I went to the Yahoo group, but never read it consistantly. Found the "New" SSUG site and I have been a hit and miss participant there. This site I visit a few times a week.
They all have had their good points. I do miss the original SSUG site.

Ed in Tampa wrote:...One thing people say is what happens if Shopsmith goes away. My answer is I have always been taught "to pay for my seat." Instead of only buying from e-bay if you want this site to continue on for your grandchildren, "pay for you seat" buy from Shopsmith from time to time. If every user of this forum would make a few purchases throughout the year from Shopsmith I believe Shopsmith would be on sound financial terms.

I can knot agree more, Ed. I will knot say anything against anyone buying used off of e-bay, craigs list, etc., but I will say that I have knot done so, and probably will knot except if I could knot get what I wanted from ShopSmith proper. The only used SS item that I have ever purchased was a planer, and that from a fellow member of this site.