"Built With A Shopsmith" web site
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 3:39 pm
It is with great pleasure that I unveil a new web site I have put together:
"Built With A Shopsmith"
http://www.builtwithashopsmith.blogspot.com/
In my travels across the interwebs, I've noticed that the Shopsmith tends to get a bad rap in some at some of the other woodworking sites and forums - if mentioned at all. For some reason, a lot of people are convinced that a multipurpose tool can not produce the same results that dedicated stand alone tools can. It's not accurate enough. It sacrifices quality to achieve its functionality. It's only good if you have very small space. Well, we all know that is hogwash. A Shopsmith in the hands of a craftsman will yield work of the same caliber as work from dedicated machines. Now, we can prove it.
The goal of the site is to show that those criticisms just don't hold up. The evidence being the actual projects that were built with a Shopsmith. The first project showcased is Shipwright's curio table. But I need more projects. And that's where you come in.
If you've done something on a Shopsmith that you want to share with the world, then let me know about it. A few pictures (or a link to an online photo gallery) would be great. And if you could, include a short paragraph explaining how your Shopsmith was used (which functions of the machine for which parts of the project). Don't worry if your project isn't as stunning as that curio table. That thing set a pretty high bar that I know I will never reach! Smaller, simple projects are as welcome as large, intricate projects. A great variety of projects will showcase what the machine can help someone accomplish.
Another way you can help is to spread the word. If you see someone on another forum talking about how the Shopsmith is inadequate, then post a link to the site (http://www.builtwithashopsmith.blogspot.com/) or even to a specific project so they can see the error of their ways.
I don't expect to change perceptions overnight. But, hopefully I can help change a few minds. If not... well, I'm still having fun with it. And I hope you do too.
And I am completely open to any suggestions, complaints, compliments, criticisms, or whatever else you want to throw my way.
"Built With A Shopsmith"
http://www.builtwithashopsmith.blogspot.com/
In my travels across the interwebs, I've noticed that the Shopsmith tends to get a bad rap in some at some of the other woodworking sites and forums - if mentioned at all. For some reason, a lot of people are convinced that a multipurpose tool can not produce the same results that dedicated stand alone tools can. It's not accurate enough. It sacrifices quality to achieve its functionality. It's only good if you have very small space. Well, we all know that is hogwash. A Shopsmith in the hands of a craftsman will yield work of the same caliber as work from dedicated machines. Now, we can prove it.
The goal of the site is to show that those criticisms just don't hold up. The evidence being the actual projects that were built with a Shopsmith. The first project showcased is Shipwright's curio table. But I need more projects. And that's where you come in.
If you've done something on a Shopsmith that you want to share with the world, then let me know about it. A few pictures (or a link to an online photo gallery) would be great. And if you could, include a short paragraph explaining how your Shopsmith was used (which functions of the machine for which parts of the project). Don't worry if your project isn't as stunning as that curio table. That thing set a pretty high bar that I know I will never reach! Smaller, simple projects are as welcome as large, intricate projects. A great variety of projects will showcase what the machine can help someone accomplish.
Another way you can help is to spread the word. If you see someone on another forum talking about how the Shopsmith is inadequate, then post a link to the site (http://www.builtwithashopsmith.blogspot.com/) or even to a specific project so they can see the error of their ways.
I don't expect to change perceptions overnight. But, hopefully I can help change a few minds. If not... well, I'm still having fun with it. And I hope you do too.
And I am completely open to any suggestions, complaints, compliments, criticisms, or whatever else you want to throw my way.
(also if you want the referral)