Where to they go from PowerPro?

[tryinhard]

THIS IS BEING BROUGHT OVER FROM THE GENERAL WOODWORKING FORUM.

. . . Successful companies in a niche market . . . must rely on the loyalty of is current user base. Niche markets by definition are NOT mass markets. There will always be those that either can't afford your product or service . . .

Shopsmith products were originally a mass market item to a large market of do-it-yourselfers who grew up in the Depression, where you had to learn to do-it-yourself. Many members of the current "niche" market are their offspring, who were taught by the do-it-youselfers. But as I surmise from the emails I scan, the current niche market is rapidly greying (as am I), and will start retirining from the woodworking business/hobby relatively soon. Much of today's middle and youngest generations seem to me to be more involved in technology rather than the hands-on do-it-yourself activities. I know there are a lot of woodworkers out there, but the stigma of the "inaccurate" Shopsmith is still prevalent--even the 520 has not fixed all the table saw controversies even within the community of current owners.

So for those of you with business experience and marketing knowledge, where does Shopsmith go from here to remain viable? Please don't get me wrong--I WANT Shopsmith to stay around for a long time. But, if I go for a Power Pro upgrade when it comes out, what can RLFShop do to stay around to provide the same level of excellent support that we all have come to know and love?

Thanks, Mike

[cincinnati]

I was at the open house Shopsmith had 2 or 3 years ago. I was 39 at that time and was one of the youngest in the group (by a lot) besides a couple of kids that came.
Very obvious that is one of Shopsmiths biggest problems. Their market is getting older and older.

[8iowa]

Cinci:

I was there too. I'm one of the "by a lot" guys, although my son was there also and he is about your age. Ron was there with his son who was only 15 or 16. Methinks that small group would not be representative of a stastical analysis of the Shopsmith age group.

Getting back to the original question; If the PowerPro is a media and financial success, shopsmith could invest in some engineering on some of the SPT's. The jointer needs a re-design. and if Shopsmith could take some cost out of the Pro Planer, by going with a two or three speed feed rate instead of that expensive DC motor and control, I think it would have a market with those who wish to upgrade from the present benchtop planers. The bandsaw is also an old design. One with a little more capacity would be attractive to many woodworkers. On their own power stands, these re-designed SPT's could attract the attention of a lot of woodworkers.

[dusty]

Obviously, I do not know but it is my hope that they continue doing exactly what they are doing right now; that is - continue to support those previous models while they market and support the PowerPro.

I for one have kids and grand kids that are going to be using the contents of my shop for many years. I would hope that I and my family are just an example of what will happen in years to come througout the wood working world.

With the economy the way it is and the outlook not being any brighter than is being forecast - the youngsters of today just may be forced (financially) back into that DIY format upon which the Shopsmith originally thrived.

[dusty]

Cinci:

I was there too. I'm one of the "by a lot" guys, although my son was there also and he is about your age. Ron was there with his son who was only 15 or 16. Methinks that small group would not be representative of a stastical analysis of the Shopsmith age group.

Getting back to the original question; If the PowerPro is a media and financial success, shopsmith could invest in some engineering on some of the SPT's. The jointer needs a re-design. and if Shopsmith could take some cost out of the Pro Planer, by going with a two or three speed feed rate instead of that expensive DC motor and control, I think it would have a market with those who wish to upgrade from the present benchtop planers. The bandsaw is also an old design. One with a little more capacity would be attractive to many woodworkers. On their own power stands, these re-designed SPT's could attract the attention of a lot of woodworkers.

OKAY I sorta agree with your comments about the bandsaw even though I have two and they serve my needs fine. Sometimes a larger capacity would be neat (but not necessary).

I do not agree with your comments on the jointer. IF you are one who NEEDS a larger jointer for the work that you do - I understand BUT since I am not a production shop, the jointer serves all of my anticipated needs.

Out of curiosity - what are the short comings that you see in the jointer.

[kd6vpe]

Being the youngster here and simi new to woodworking I agree with Dusty in the fact that the DIY will become a reality sooner that we think. Even the Chinese products that we have been having to buy because of thier price are beginning to become expensive as the companies try to recoup loses during these times. More wordworking shows on TV and the internet will be all it takes to spark up some interest in the hobby. Just my 2 cents.

[robinson46176]

Out of curiosity - what are the short comings that you see in the jointer.




I have the same question??? :confused: I have a 6" long bed (and had it before I got a Shopsmith Jointer) and use it almost exclusively but I can find no fault with the Shopsmith jointer. The same for the bandsaw. I have had several other bandsaws including a 24" and find that for all of my needs the SS is fine and far better designed than any of the others I had...
-
Of course I prefer "working" wood, not "machining" wood so my wants are different. I also like to speak of my hatchet as a precision woodworking tool so when someone speaks ill of Shopsmith's level of accuracy I just laugh. I really liked the phrase someone used here (sorry, I forget who) when they said "it is as accurate as you are..."
I had a very good friend (now deceased) who had a lot of tools and did a lot of woodworking but couldn't have made a tight joint with a hundred ultra high priced machines and a semi-load of wood to practice with... :)
I have another friend (not deceased) who has a lot of crude home-made machines including a very old mostly homemade large shaper that probably doesn't turn above 2500 RPM (on hand poured babbitt bearings) and has a table made from a leaf from a really old heavy oak dining table. He makes almost all of his cutters himself, cutting them out by hand down to a scribed line and grinding them on a 80 year old grinder that I wouldn't use to grind my hatchet.
His work is absolutely beautiful... :) :)
His machinery is not accurate... He is...

[farley]

I am new to the forum but not to woodworking. Been SS since the early 80s. Just a hobby type guy, so I probably wouldn't be interested in the new Pro. but I can see the point about getting new technology for a newer more technology minded generation.

but I also see where younger people, not all, so as not to get people flaming me, don't want to do things. They just want to buy it new, not fix it, not make it, just buy and then they have it.

I don't think the current money situation the country is in is going to change younger minds to going back to "basics". It's going to take time to get over the "want it now, buy it now, I deserve everything now" mind frame.

Me I'll reweb a patio chair, my brother-in-law would buy a new one.