Shopsmith Review

[seajay62]

As I was perusing the net, I came across a Google feature. It has posted for reading, complete copies of old woodworking magazines. This article, from American Woodworker Nov-Dec 1992, is titled “A Buyers Guide to Combination Machines” makes for some interesting reading. The site is:

http://books.google.com/books?id=pPYDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA52#v=onepage&q=&f=false

I haven’t figured out how to print the article but in reading it, I found it to be good reading. Interestingly, one of the disadvantages noted is “combination machines force you to organize your work differently.” As long as I'm organized and am able to find a good and useful path, why would it be considered a disadvantage? Maybe that is one of the factors that differentiate Shopsmith owners from other woodworkers?

Overall, I believe the author provided a fair review except for the comment “You should consider a Shopsmith if you are a beginner, hobbyist, or do-it-yourselfer…” You can read the article and be your own judge. So many woodworkers that I speak to believe the Shopsmith is a toy and not a “real” woodworking machine similar to the authors view in the article. It’s that impression that needs to be changed, as well as, knowledge of the support from Shopsmith, before Shopsmith can really be successful.

Shopsmith should continue trying to get more magazine coverage and we need to be writing to the editors of the various magazines to insist that they include the Shopsmith and Shopsmith products in their reviews. If Shopsmith is going to survive, it needs to look at its pricing and cost structure but we need to help it get the recognition and notoriety in the public arena.

I didn't plan on writing this. I was simply going to let everyone know about the article and the ability to see old copies of magazines, but I got carried away. I'm not sorry but it just wasn't planned.

[mickyd]

As I was perusing the net, .....

Overall, I believe the author provided a fair review except for the comment “You should consider a Shopsmith if you are a beginner, hobbyist, or do-it-yourselfer…”
I'd be willing to bet that 95%+ of the SS owners fall into these categories, which is a great selling feature for ShopSmith. I am glad that in one unit, I have all the features I need to do most any work. And I am also happy with the cost saving of buying one machine vs. several, not to mention the space saving.

Good post.
p.s. The article starts on page 35 (http://books.google.com/books?id=pPYDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA35#v=onepage&q=&f=false).

[rkh2]

seajay62

Thanks for sharing this article with us. I found it very interesting and thought it did a pretty good job talking about the Shopsmith. It would be nice to see the amount of exposure for the Shopsmith as was in this article during that time. Looking forward for things to turn around for Shopsmith and be able to get back to the demos and services such as the TA's and sawdust sessions were. I couldn't be more satisfied with my machine and accessories I have and what I can do with it and what I continue to learn on this forum.

[beeg]

Now I can't help but wonder how many of those others are still around for purchase?

[dusty]

Now I can't help but wonder how many of those others are still around for purchase?

Not many. Farmer is collecting them there.

[colday]

I haven’t figured out how to print the article but in reading it, I found it to be good reading.


Use your favorite "screen snap" program.

Enlarge the page, snap the magazine page (not the entire screen), save & print.

In just a few minutes I captured the entire article & have it in PDF format.

As for a program to do this on, I probably can't help much unless you are on a Mac. As for PC programs just search download.com for "screen snap". Many are free.

[qtndas01]

I have had my Shopsmith since 1983 and have made alot of furniture with mine and both of my children have alot of furniture I made with the Shopsmith. I bought mine due to space restrictions and the cost was more economical than buying five different machines. I have made bedroom sets cabinets, whole wall entertainment centers, etc. In the beginning the horizontal boring feature is one that I used alot and couldn't be matched by comparable machines. That feature is not used much anymore. There have been times I had problems with doing things on the Shopsmith that were large, but over time you learn how to do things and make adjustments. I still use it today and have purchased additional equipment from and upgraded the Shopsmith. Also years ago you couldn't beat there customer service especially if you lived near a Shopsmith store. I plan on leaving mine for my son someday.

[heathicus]

When the guy that gave me my first Shopsmith was telling me what all it could do, I had mentally pictured something akin to one of those Kity machines!