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Is Shopsmith Breathing its Final Breath?

Shopsmith.jpgA while back, in a previous post, I talked about the news that Shopsmith was in financial trouble. The news today confirms it. Robert Folkerth, the president was quoted as saying,

“…the company ’significantly reduced’ its reliance on sales representatives who often travel to shows to sell Shopsmith’s tools and accessories.” 

Wait a minute. Did he say they cut their sales force? What that tells me is that they don’t see much hope for the Shopmith product that we’ve known and loved since the mid-70’s.  Has the competition for lower-priced standalone woodworking machinery pushed the Shopsmith out of the market? Sadly, I think it’s just a matter of time before Shopsmith goes the way of other woodworking machine manufacturers. Soon, the only place you’ll be able to read about them will be on the Old Woodworking Machines web site.

Posted on Friday, May 18th, 2007 at 7:40 am. Filed under Power Tools, ShopSmith.
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63 Responses to “Is Shopsmith Breathing its Final Breath?”

Gilbert Jagot said,

I’m surprised a company hasn’t come out with a ‘Chinese’ version (inferior metal, loser tolerances, etc.) yet. I’m sure it’ll happen eventually and I wouldn’t be surprised if it ended up being sold at Harbor Freight.

Gil

(posted on May 18th, 2007 at 2:50 pm)

Paul Cohen said,

I believe what Robert Folkerth said is they were changing their sales model, I think they will be selling through Home Depot.

(posted on May 18th, 2007 at 8:22 pm)

Randy Maxey said,

Paul,

I suppose you could be right, but something in me doubts it. I really hope they can pull out of this slump, though. I’ve always liked the concept of the Shopsmith. As I said before, I wouldn’t mind having one.

Regards,

–Randy

(posted on May 18th, 2007 at 10:31 pm)

Paul Cohen said,

In full disclosure I have a 520 and love it, BTW the Shopsmith in the picture is a least 50 years old and you I’ll bet still works. How many other tools can that be said about?

(posted on May 19th, 2007 at 2:16 pm)

Dave said,

Shopsmith is making changes in the way they will be marketing and selling their equipment by eliminating the extremely high cost of traveling sales reps across the U.S. while expanding Website, Direct Mail, Distributors and Telemarketing sales which are VERY profitable sales channels for the company. As with many other things you read in newspapers Mr. Folkerth’s comments were taken out of context.

(posted on May 20th, 2007 at 1:37 am)

Scott in NC said,

Gilbert Jagot,
Exactly what you suggest was tried back in the 1980-90’s. Total Shop, Menards, Master Woodshop, ShopMaster, Emco, FUSO and several others imported Taiwanese copies of the original Shopsmith Mark V, model 500. They were OK, and one innovation that Shopsmith ultimate adopted was a two-bearing quill, which all of these machines had. In the end they all failed for the same reason that Shopsmith will ultimately succumb… Inexpensive, Asian, stand-alone tools are larger, more powerful, and you can purchase them as you need them, rather than having to cough-up $3000 in one chunk. Shopsmith could import complete machines from Taiwan or China, and as it is many of their castings, bearing, cutter heads, and the vast majority of their arbors are already sourced in Asia and assembled in Dayton. I wish them well because they do sell a decent tool, but their prices have pushed me into the used eBay market for all my add-ons. My guess is the Fat Lady is warming-up…

(posted on May 24th, 2007 at 1:18 pm)

Scott in NC said,

Sorry, I believe it was ENCO who sold a Shopsmith clone, not EMCO. Scott

(posted on May 24th, 2007 at 1:19 pm)

Dusty in Tucson said,

I believe that my Grandson will get as much use from my Shopsmith as I have. It is a well made machine and like Shopsmith, Inc will continue on for a long time into the future.

(posted on July 5th, 2007 at 4:40 am)

Bill in Queen Creek said,

I bought my Shopsmith at Lowes in Colorado 2 years ago. They are a special order item. Shopsmith is bombarding me with special sale items and I feel they are reducing or eliminating warehouse stocks.

(posted on July 8th, 2007 at 9:58 am)

Bart said,

I have a friend that has 2 Shopsmiths mostly for the novelty he purchased them for almost nothing & also has a shop full of stand alone equipment.

I have looked at Shopsmith over the years & while I respect what they are trying to do could never bring myself to buy one.

Their table-saw with a non tilting blade shot them in the foot to start with. My first table-saw was a used tilt top style saw never again.

Their jointer is to small.

From everything I’ve heard the machine is well made & makes a great disk sander & drill-press & a marginal lathe. All the parts a proprietary so you can’t say buy a 6″ face plate down town & expect it to fit a Shopsmith & just try buying a table-saw blade to fit a Shopsmith where you would for a regular 10″ table-saw.

I can understand some people like & enjoy them (its just one example of proprietary parts similar to Packard bell computers who don’t exist anymore).

I wonder if they had the room & someone gave them some good quality stand alone equipment how much dust the Shopsmith would gather while sitting in a corner before they sold it to make more room for another stand alone piece of equipment?

Shopsmith is a neat idea but costs to much & is to limited & if first time would be wood workers could see a side by side demonstration & the difference by someone is moderately familiar with regular stand alone wood working tools & has used & is moderately familiar with Shopsmith I don’t believe Shopsmith would be able to sell anything accept to someone that isn’t going to ride their bicycle anymore & want to use the same room for a tool that will mostly collect dust.

Just a few words drive me away. Proprietary parts & fixed table-saw top.

There are guided tools systems & some reasonably good electric hand tools & bench top tools that will store in about the same or less room than a Shopsmith. Throw in a 6″ jointer & 12″ band saw & you could run circles around a Shopsmith.

If Shopsmith is going to be affiliated with Home Depot I feel sorry for them it will be like a drowning person being tossed a inflatable life vest with a hole in it & only half full of air.

I have had several experiences with HD & how they have treated Ridgid Tools. They either can’t find the tool that is there, don’t know what it is, or tell me there is going to be a sale like a battery powered tool set that was supposed togo on sale on Saturday & even showed me the set papers for the display, I got there early & there was no tools to sell first thing in the morning when the store opened. The only Ridgid tool I own to date is a MSUV its probably the only ridgid tool I’ll ever own it has no cord or battery so I don’t have to worry about HD’s support.

(posted on July 9th, 2007 at 9:29 am)

Doug said,

Bart, I think you are missing the niche of the Shopsmith. I would love to have a shop full of stand alone tools. However, I have a shop that is only 10′x10′ and therefore I do not have the room for more than one or two tools.

Although I am somewhat worried about ShopSmiths future, I know that the machine I have will last me my lifetime (i’m 46) and I suspect that others will use it when I am gone.

(posted on August 3rd, 2007 at 7:42 am)

Kathy said,

Bart is also missing another point. I’m in the process of re-arranging my garage to make room for my Dad’s old Shopsmith. I think he got it for his first wedding anniverary, or something like that, and he cherished it. I feel like this Shopsmith is part of my heritage, and I’ll be thinking about my Dad every time I use it.

(posted on August 6th, 2007 at 11:21 am)

Fred said,

I’ve owned my Shopsmith for 25 years, since I was about 17 yrs old. I haven’t been it touch with the company, product literature, and website for a long while. Today I went to the website to see what was new. I was shocked to see a machine pretty much the same as my 25 yr old one. Same look, design, and function. The website was poor also. It’s too bad the company didn’t take a great product and develop it like other great American companies have done with their products. Am I right or missing something?

(posted on August 27th, 2007 at 2:39 pm)

Jerome Hanby said,

This might be heresy, but I think no one is going to use the Shopsmith Tablesaw for very long, so why not eliminate it. If it came with their Jointer and the Bandsaw, it would be the perfect collection of tools everyone needs once in a while, Jointer, Lathe, Drill Press. I’ve got a good contractor Table Saw, a Rigid Planer, Jet dust collector and just contracted to buy a used Shopsmith for that exact reason. I already bought the Bandsaw attachment. All told I’ll have $695 dollars tied up in the Shopsmith. My next standalone purchase would have been a Grizzly Jointer for about $900. Admittedly I’m not getting an 8 inch jointer out of the Shopsmith deal, but I do get a Drill Press, Bandsaw, and Lathe that would not have fit in my tool budget for years. Plus I get to maximize the space in my garage workshop. I’m sure swapping the Shopsmith modes would get old very quickly in a production environment, but I only get a few hours a day, two or three times a week. I already try to plan out my time, so organizing tasks to minimize Shopsmith changeovers isn’t that much extra work.

(posted on August 31st, 2007 at 12:20 pm)

Roy said,

Shopsmith isn’t a machine that is going to appeal to hardcore woodworkers. It’s a machine which will appeal to a hobbiest/homeowner who wants the flexibility it offers. Somebody who wants to get into woodworking.

I just bought an old 10ER on eBay. I paid a little over $100, and it’s not in bad shape for a tool made in the 50’s. I plan on playing with it for a while, and seeing what I can do with it. I already have several standalone woodworking tools, but have wanted one of these for some time. Just because. Unfortunatly for the company, if you want one of these tools, there are many of them available, at the fraction of the price of a new one. The internet makes them easy to find. Personally, I wouldn’t consider buying a cheaper version of a Shopsmith. A used one, sure. The should play up the “buy American” factor. People who buy these aren’t looking for a cheap tool.

It seems to me that the Shopsmith company might be able to do well by promoting their educational classes. It seems that they are trying to do this. I looked online, and am tempted to go to their woodworking classes. I would promote this, and try to get people interested in the Shopsmith.

(posted on September 26th, 2007 at 10:34 pm)

Leon said,

I am a senior citizen retired
Looking for asmaller version of shop smith
I bet there is a market for one

(posted on October 12th, 2007 at 6:38 pm)

Jeff said, said,

Has anyone made a project at SS’s place in Dayton? We couldn’t claim their promise (warranty) of real in person, sawdust training not dust collecting on the table top. Take it home project to learn efficient workshop? thanks

(posted on October 23rd, 2007 at 3:19 pm)

Ken said,

well the first poster said that harbor freight would come out with a copy and they did
check out: 10-in-1 Woodworking Machine

(posted on November 7th, 2007 at 4:55 am)

Deathwish2 said,

Ken–

That looks to be a Smithy Supershop . . . I thought they had gone out of vusiness a few years back, but it seems they just went ‘out-of-country’

http://www.smithy.com/product_home.php?cid=18&scid=19&pid=1003

(posted on November 10th, 2007 at 8:41 pm)

Rick Spalding said,

I have been using a Mark V for over 25 years. Ya it is not exactly like stationaries but you can make professional grade woodworking projects with it and have the space to park the car afterward. If you insist on stationary you will spend more $$ and have only about 1% more capability and accuracy as a SS. Don’t let anyone poo poo you out of the convenience and quality of SS. Unless you are doing full time quantity work SS is the way to go for small area shops. I bought a drill press and a couple other small things that are used a lot …just because I am too lazy to change configurations for small quick stuff. Take my advice and try it….they give ya 90 days…..what more can you ask????

Rick Spalding
Lititz, pa.

(posted on November 15th, 2007 at 11:29 pm)

Daniel Bradshaw said,

I have owned a Shopsmith for nearly 30 years. It started out as a model 500 and has been upgraded to a model 510. I never could afford the model 520 upgrade.

I don’t want the company to go out of business, but I have thought and continue to think that all Shopsmith equipment is way overpriced for what you get. I check prices every now and then and I remain convinced that Shopsmith thinks too highly of their equipment. Most recently I was looking at the price of the thickness planer power stand. To buy it I would need to spend nearly half what I paid for the planer itself some 20 years ago. The least they could do would be to include retractable casters, but no, I would need to add another $80 to an already high price to get them.

Cost is my second biggest beef about Shopsmith. Accuracy, or the lack of it, is my biggest gripe. I have never experienced the much-vaunted accuracy claimed by the company and other owners. For example, several years ago I built some entry doors for a coworker. Since he was going to paint them and they were going to be used indoors, I opted for poplar as the primary wood. The weight of the 8/4 stock was great enough on the saw table that when I ripped it to width the table deflected one degree. So instead of 90 degrees I got 89 degrees. Once the cut was finished, the table returned to a perfect 90 degree setting. I was terribly frustrated and the puny jointer didn’t help square things up either. Anyone who has worked with poplar knows that it isn’t really a very heavy wood. I have had similar problems with other, heavier species of wood. I have found the table saw to be the weakest point of the entire machine.

Its weight and relatively high center of gravity are additional weaknesses. I have had two legs of the machine come up off the floor during a saw cut. The silver standard, quick-and-dirty test used to determine the stability of a machine is to balance a nickel on its edge on the table of the tool while it is running. The gold standard of this test is to balance the nickel without the machine running and then turn it on. If the nickel remains standing, the machine is very smooth and massive enough for serious work. The Shopsmith doesn’t mass enough to pass the silver standard let alone the gold.

Currently, my Shopsmith mostly gathers dust in the corner of my shop. I haul it out when I need a drill press or to power the bandsaw and thickness planer. Beyond that, I use stationary power tools sitting on mobile bases. They take up more room, but the mobile bases give me a lot of flexibility in arranging my shop and I can get my tools mostly out of the way for other uses of the space.

My purchase of the Shopsmith was a compromise between what I really wanted and what I could reasonably afford. I have done some fair work with it, though hardly professional grade no matter how well or carefully I have worked. In fact, I have the utmost respect for those owners who have been able to do professional grade work using a Shopsmith. I just don’t know how they do it. I don’t regret having purchased the machine. I only regret not having graduated from it when my work finally exceeded its capacity. It would have saved me a lot of grief and frustration.

Daniel Bradshaw
Lake Jackson, TX

(posted on December 7th, 2007 at 1:27 am)

Ihor Jaroslaw Sypko said,

I bought my Shopsmith 510 at a mall show in 1983 and it has done everything I needed it to do in the course of restoring 4 historic homes. It is portable, versitile and, with the usual maintenance, dependable. Given what it has been through all that it needed last year was a new motor. Second best helper that I ever had on a job and I’m sure I’ll get another 1/4 century out of it!! Ihor

(posted on December 12th, 2007 at 2:20 pm)

Rick Parker said,

I entered the construction trades as an apprentice in 1968. After I received my journeyman certificate two and a half years later I got into rough construction and have been a professional carpenter since 1971. I wanted a Shopsmith the first time I saw my brother using his in 1973. I didn’t need one……..just wanted it.

I have never been that good at finish work so I just got mine last year after I watched a demo here in Visalia at the local LOWE’S. I figured they had proven themselves and as I approached retirement I would be able to do some of the home remodeling I had always wanted to do and have been doing with “rough construction” tools.

No, I wasn’t crazy about the non-tilting blade on the table saw but my dad left me an old table saw/6″ jointer combo that still works fine. My ShopSmith stays rigged up in band saw/lathe configuration most of the time anyhow.

After all this is my own home I am working on and I don’t do a lot of “professional grade” work but so far I have not been disappointed. Granted, it is a little over-priced but, by comparison, the money I had planned to spend was justified and, with only a two car garage, I needed the space.

My concern now is the availability of parts for the next ten years. I will not be adding all of the accessories that Mr. Bradshaw seems to have but I would like to have a few things that I don’t currently have. I must agree with his complaint about accuracy though. I just isn’t there on this machine like on the demo machine I watched.

Cost is another issue also. Just one example I noted was the same small dado package I see on the website can be purchased for $38 less at LOWE’S.

I guess I am ’stuck’ with what I have but it is adequate for my grade of work and my wife is pleased that the work takes me less time now and there is a degree more accuracy also.

It would be nice for them to come out with reduced prices in clearance sales for overstocked items…………ya think? There are a few things I still need.

Rick Parker
Visalia, CA

(posted on December 21st, 2007 at 1:16 pm)

Greg said,

I have a Shopsmith, I work as a manufacturing engineer for a medical company. The Shopsmith is my outlet for frustrations. I am by no means a master wood worker. I am a very happy wood worker. The Shopsmith has a lot of drawbacks granted, Sometimes it is a real pain. But for what I bought if for (at a garage sale dirst cheap) I love it. It is set up in my garage, small foot print and always ready to make toys for the grandkids, pens for presents, I can make a toothpick from a 10″ tree stump and be very happy with the smell, touch and feel of the wood.

I hope that Shopsmith is not going under, I would hate to think that this company that has brought me years of ‘FUN’ as well as tons of memories. I hate to think that it may some day be just a has been company.

(posted on December 24th, 2007 at 7:52 am)

Ryan Scoggins said,

I have had my 520 since 2000. My Granfather always wanted one but never could swing it, but he left the desire in me. My wife encouraged me to get on at the Oregon State fair in 2000. I did and have never regreted it. I am always puttering around in my shop. Today I had it set up as a disc sander and was contouring keyboard trays to fit desks from work. Mainly because we have a bandsaw, tablesaw and a few other tools at work but didn’t have the one to do this job.The wonderful thing about Shopsmith is its versatility. One thing that has hurt them I am sure is they last forever. I see all the time old 10E’s and 10ER’s from the late 40’s and early 50’s still doimg the job. They are definitly a niche market but I have no problem recommending them. Keep on Keeping on Shopsmith.

(posted on December 29th, 2007 at 2:16 am)

Mitch said,

Well, everyone definitely has their own opinions, and that’s good.

Bottom line is this:
The ShopSmith is NOT a cabinet-shop grade piece of equipment, it simply doesn’t come close to a 17ft swing-arm saw that repeatedly cuts 4′x8′ sheets within 0.0005″, but so what? Not many people have a shop with 440 3-phase, re-enforced concrete, and a 10′x20′ open area to run a 17ft swing-arm saw (and all it does is SAW). It also doesn’t have a 52″ 3-Head sander, but again, who has the room!

However, I have a 520 and while I know all of the downfalls it has, it has served myself and, gone but not fogotten, father very well. I’m 32 (few days under) and my father had it before I was born. The motor has been replaced once and switch once as well. I can’t express in words the memories it brings back, especially after reading some of the above posts. Instead of complaining about what it doesn’t do or doesn’t do well, look at the things it DOES do. If you aren’t happy with that, then don’t buy it. $5k for a ShopSmith that makes a great disk/drum sander, horizontal/vertical drill, light-duty rip/crosscut, and very useful-on-the-job dado machine is a pretty small price compared to $17k for that swing-arm saw that only…uh…saws?

Use the right tool for the job on your hands, you’ll be much happier with the results and a lot less frustrated with the effort.

(posted on January 4th, 2008 at 5:13 pm)

Gary Katt said,

Come on Guys & Gals — What is that perfect tool?
That does it all. Shopsmith is most likely more USA than Sears, Delta, Grizzley, Jet to name a few.
Have a great 2008 Shopsmith owner. No I don’t own one—–yet

(posted on January 9th, 2008 at 7:57 pm)

Ken said,

I just bought an old one from the 50’s with everything, I mean everything you can get possibly get with one, and I only paid $250.00 for it. These things are being sold super cheap used. If the company wants to compete, they will have to sell through Home depot or another major hardware, lumber retail outlet. These machines have been around for years, and guys in the 38 to 55 year old range want them, partly because we couldn’t afford them when we were younger, partly because of how good they are. This company will be fine if they market better, also with more sales they can compete with the copycat models. From what I’ve seen in the prices they aren’t much more to start, knock out the salesman at the fair, or mall, increase sales volume by making them easier to get, walk in and walk out with it, and the price can come down. Volume always brings prices down. Advertising would also help. To be honest when I bought mine, I wasn’t 100% sure the company was still in business, but it is a great machine, even after more than 50 years… it is incredible… I know it’s just a table saw, drill press, lathe, sander, jointer, on and on and on, but damn… it’s like inspector gadget, flip this turn that and it’s a different tool, and each tool is a quality tool, it’s not like using your hand drill in one of them cheap rigs that turns it into a drill press, or hooking your router under a table to make a table top router, personally I hate crappy rigged universal junk, that’s why I like my Shopsmith so much, the Shopsmith is not junk.

(posted on January 10th, 2008 at 9:44 am)

Gary Katt said,

A Thought — If Shopsmith would spend millions $$$$$$ on adverising in major wood working publications they would receive great P R and sales would be good.But would it offset the cost??

(posted on January 20th, 2008 at 2:28 pm)

TVTommy said,

Wow, what an amazing discussion about a power tool.I own 2 10er shopsmiths, both from 1952, and I’ve used them all my life. My dad bought one of them new and taught me many of my woodworking skills on it. I had a period of time in my life when I tried separate tools and ultimately came back to the “Smiths”.
Here’s why.
First, I still haven’t seen any other brand of tool that is built any better; 56 years, total maintenance: 1 set of headstock bearings, one set of motor bearings and regular lubrication.
Second, from my experience (only my humble opinion, here, folks)accuracy is in the woodworker, not in the machine. I’ll stack my projects up against anyone. Oh, maybe it doesn’t just “snap” into place, but it’s amazing when you rely on touch, how you can get things right where they need to be. It’s a little like “instinct” shooting vs sites.
Third(and most important to me, but probably meaningless to everyone else) it’s a way of staying connected to my beginnings as a woodworker. Sometimes I can almost feel my dad’s presence…hear him say “be careful, Tommy” while I’m working.
As to which is really better, I believe it’s simply a mindset. If you believe one way is better, then it is. For me, the Shopsmith, with all it’s adaptability and all it’s flaws is better. That means that it is…to me.
That’s my story, and I’m stickin’ to it.

(posted on January 21st, 2008 at 9:49 pm)

Nick D said,

I think there are a few die hard old wood working machine people who really shun these machines, and for a very good reason. Ignorance. NO! I DID NOT say they were IGNORANT PEOPLE, but ingorant to what this machine is capable of.

A Shopsmith is a disease…you get one then you want accessories, then a newer machine and the newer accessories, then maybe a modification and so on and so on. People who can afford the bigger and expensive dedicated machines can’t really grasp the Shopsmith concept.

I can afford any machine I want, and have probably more than most, but I can’t afford the space to run them. I also don’t have the heavy 3 phase power needed anymore, so my pretty Delta Unisaw is sitting in storage while my Shopsmith Mark V does the bull work!

My Avery drill press (7′-8″ tall) is locked in a garage and my Mark V does the drilling needed. It clears my basement ceiling by 3 inches!

My Walker Turner belt/disc sander sits in the corner, waiting for a part to me manufactured as my Shopsmith does whatever disc sanding I need done.

And it goes on like that. WIll I even sell off my big machines? Probably not, but will I even be without a Shopsmith in my collection? No.

I started out with an almost pristine 1952 10ER. That machine alone was a marvel of engineering for the time, and extremely simple too! Last year, after owning it for 15 years, and it NEVER breaking down, I traded it for an old lathe. I had picked up a 1986 Mark V from a friend and wanted to upgrade. (I wish now I had kept that 10 ER!) I sold that machine for a 2004 machine that was being given to me by the same guy who sold me the 1986 machine. That machine never materialized and my attitude was so what…more room in the basement for me!

Sunday I bought an old Mark V, the green one, because I just needed one, and it was at that exact moment, when I put it in the place where the last one once was, that I realized it was a sickness, but a good one…IN MY OPINION.

Nick

(posted on January 22nd, 2008 at 9:28 am)

Bill G said,

The main reason one buys a Shopsmith is space. I have a small basement shop (600 sq.ft.) with a pier in the middle. I have had a SS or a clone for over 50 years. One thing people don’t understand is the changeover thing. It makes you plan your operations somewhat ahead to lessen set ups. The other thing is speed of changeover when you are use to the machine. I can go from a saw to a disc sander in about 25 seconds.

I have stand-alones too. The Shopsmith however because of its flexibilty can be configured into setups that on machine can do.

I think one of the biggest problems that Shopsmith has with marketing is high cost & very few if any improvements or innovations on their machine in many years. What this does is fulfill your market and exhaust your sales potential.

Bill G.

(posted on January 25th, 2008 at 10:51 am)

Gary Katt said,

What is a Shopsmith MarkVII? or any info you know. Should I stay away from or ????
Thanks

(posted on January 30th, 2008 at 4:17 pm)

TVTommy said,

Stay away from the MK VII. It was only produced for a VERY limited time and lots of the parts are NOT interchangeable. If you can get it cheap (like $50 or so) and the speed changing set up works fine, it’s ok, otherwise get a MK 5 or an old 10er. Lots of parts on ebay, and they rarely break.

(posted on February 4th, 2008 at 5:29 pm)

R. Skomars said,

Can anyone tell me where I get get pulley and belt size (width/length) info for a model 10ER that I inherited from my father? I have it running but it’s not quite right, I’m certain of that.

Thank you.

Bob

(posted on February 29th, 2008 at 10:28 am)

Jeff said,

The Shopsmith was my first major purchase for woodworking equipment back in 1980. Reason being, simply space and versatility. I moved to Vermont in 1981 and built a complete 7 room raised ranch with it. I hope they stay solvent because to this day,it comes out of the corner and contiues to give good service.

(posted on March 5th, 2008 at 3:53 pm)

David Fratzke said,

Bill G. said it all - space consideration. I have owned a Shopsmith for 25 years. No it is not what stand alone machines are, but don’t think it was ever intended to be. I have made everything from turning pens to making cabinets and it works great. Like any machine, maintenance, care and alignment are a must.

My biggest gripe with SS is price. They are WAY overpriced on almost everything they sell directly. To those of you that don’t know, buy all of your stuff on ebay - there is a hugh resell market out there.

Finally, overall, Shopsmith is a great, reliable tool that will never go out of need for that small shop or garage owner who does not have the room or $$$ for all of the stand alone equipment. The company will probably go under because of their prices, but parts will always be available because there are literaly thousands and thousands of these machines all over the world.

Thanks - David

(posted on March 12th, 2008 at 11:40 am)

bobbohd said,

I remember ShopSmith from my 8th grade wood shop class and I always thought they were the AMERICAN standard to use in wood working.
Now that I am retired from my “pay the bills” job and have time to do what I would like to wood working and purchasing & using a ShopSmith, I am hearing that they are not going to survive as an AMERICAN manufacturing company and that I may not be able to acquire a ShopSmith.
This $^%&* sucks.
I have spent all my life in the US in manufacturing and now that I have time and the ability to do my own thing, especially in wood working, I have to see an Icon in American know how and originality being forced out of business!!!
I DON’T THINK SO!!!!
I will do what ever I can and needs to be done to preserve the American tradition of doing it ourselves and resolve to help ShopSmith survive and make a new start and a go of it in global competition!!
bobbohd@optonline.net.

(posted on March 20th, 2008 at 1:10 am)

Gene said,

I was with my Grandfather in 1955 when he went to a “saw dust party” and bought his Shopsmith. I still remember the joke the salesman told, too. After Granddad passed away my father got his Shopsmith and Dad used it a lot even though he had plenty of space in a big shop and lots of other power tools.

In the meantime I bought a used Shopsmith to use while Dad was still using Granddad’s Shopsmith. Now Granddad’s machine is mine, too.

For 20 years I only had a one stall garage in which to store everything. (There are no basements here.) The Shopsmith didn’t take up too much space and, when I needed to use it, I could roll it out into the driveway and go to work.

Now I have a double garage for my shop so I can work inside more although I frequently roll it out just to be in the sunshine. For me Shopsmith offers two great advantages. First, it saves space. Second, the add-on belt sander, bandsaw, jointer, etc. add lots of capabilities at a relative low cost AND don’t require a lot of floor space. I must allow that the table say is maybe the weak link in the Shopsmith chain.

If I was rich … but I’m not.

(posted on March 20th, 2008 at 5:06 pm)

Gene said,

Oops! I meant to type table saw, not table say.

(posted on March 20th, 2008 at 5:08 pm)

Dave S. said,

I just bought a Mark V model 500. It looks brand new. I have a question; I have a really hard time moving the headstock along the way tubes. I am sure the headstock lock is loose but I have to really struggle to get the headstock to move. Any suggestions on what I need to check to correct this? I might add that there is absolutely no sign of rust anywhere on the machine and there is very little evidence of use on any of the parts. The previous owner’s son said his deceased father rarely used it.

(posted on April 4th, 2008 at 1:07 pm)

Jonathan Allen said,

If the head stock is hard to move chances are you just need to wax the way tubes. You should wax and buff them with “floor paste wax” after every 5 hours of running time.

(That is time when the motor is actually spinning. Since most people spend spend five to ten minutes setting up for a 30-second cut, it takes a long time to hit that 5-hour mark.)

(posted on May 6th, 2008 at 1:24 am)

John said,

I Spent 20 years rehabbing a turn of the century (the previous one) 28 unit apartment building.
I had many stand alone tools in a fairly small shop. I saw Shopsmiths in trade fairs etc and always thought they were too expensive. I now have an oppertunity to purchase a Mark V combo.
Table saw,drill press, jointer, band saw and accessories for $550. Think this is a good price?
What should I look for when I go to see it?
Thanks Smithers.

(posted on May 16th, 2008 at 12:48 pm)

John May said,

Is $550 a decent price for a Mark V combo?
Table saw, drill press, lathe, jointer and band saw, with accessories.
What should I look for, our look out for?

(posted on May 16th, 2008 at 12:55 pm)

Greg said,

I think MK Vs have another use that I haven’t seen mentioned here. I already own each of the tools in the MK V separately (with the exception of a horizontal boring machine). However, it seems that I finally get the cabinet saw set up for some operation with jigs and measurements etc and suddenly need to rip one small board. Dang. Wouldn’t it be nice to have another small table saw around. Or I need to drill one hole on the drill press but of course it’s set up with a mortise attachment.

I hope to find a MK V just to have spare machinery available when I need it. I’m not going to buy another table saw or drill press just to have a spare, but a MK V makes sense.

With that being said, the price for a new one makes no sense to me. I think they’re fantastic tools and can’t wait to own one, but $3,000 seems a bit steep to me. Especially when I see excellent, tricked out used ones on eBay for $300.

Greg

(posted on May 22nd, 2008 at 3:40 pm)

Jerry in Worthington, Ohio said,

I write in support of the SHOPSMITH product… I own 6 of them … 2 purchased new from Shopsmith at Dayton Mall home show in Ohio in 1975… the other 4 purchased from auctions / estate sales / and internet ads. I even bought one a couple miles from the Oio State National Championship football game in Arizona… disassembled and brought it home with tailgate stuff in my Suburban… but who wouldn’t for $150 for a 520 Shopsmith?

I don’t have SHOPSMITHS because of a lack of space… I am fortunate to have a 5,200 sq. ft. “Buckeye Man Cave” shop to turn wood into sawdust.

The SHOPSMITH machines allow me to supplement my free standing SAWSTOP & UNISAW table saws… my PANEL SAW… and PLANER. I build Frank Lloyd Wright reproduction furniture for fun and relaxation… not for income… I find there is NOTHING that I can not do with enough accuracy and precision using SHOPSMITH MACHINERY.

Each machine is set up for a specific use…. SANDING CENTER, DRILLING & BORING CENTER, TURNING CENTER, SHARPENING CENTER, SHAPING CENTER and ROUTER CENTER (with 3 routers incidentally).

I have LESS INVESTED in the SHOPSMITH MACHINERY in total than I would in seperate free standing machines to perform the same functions… and I can do many more things with SHOPSMITH MACHINERY (some of which I have modified for my specialized uses).

The SUPERSHOP shown earlier in this blog is a Chinese built machine that had been imported for many years by a company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan (Smithy Company) until they apparently gave up up on it some 2 years ago. I actually tried to buy the last 2 they had in stock during a fall closeout warehouse sale in the fall of 2006.

SMITHY negotiated with SHOPSMITH COMPANY for a period of time according to SMITHY personnel but could not make a deal to sell/transfer the rights and remaining products/inventory to SHOPSMITH. They could not make this deal per SMITHY personnel with whom I talked that day.

While the SUPERSHOP has an interesting feature set anyone reading this who has purchased and used tools from Harbor Freight will think more than twice before buying a $2,000 machine from Harbor Freight. One can only imagine the support, parts, warranty and repair issues involved with this product purchased through Harbor Freight.

SHOPSMITH can survive and can prosper but not without a bloodletting and injection of new management and strategies. Far too many SHOPSMITH associates are unqualified for the positions they hold… from top to bottom. Far too much time and money has been lost while they failed to understand the business they are in and capitalize on the opportunities in front of them.

As an owner of the product, a businessman who prefers to see Ohio and USA based companies grow and succeed I sincerely hope SHOPSMITH and all who have the power to correct the issues facing both the product and the company will take action to do so quickly.

I apologize for the length of this missive… perhaps I should have gone to the shop and created more sawdust.

(posted on May 26th, 2008 at 9:41 pm)

H. LEWIS SMITH said,

I got a Mark five for my birthday in 1963, yes, 1963. Had the poer head overhauled in 1979 and am still enjoying it.

Talked to Bob Folkerth several times in hopes of opening a store here in Hammond to serve the Baton Rouge and New Orleans market: no hope. His marketing is by beat of a different drummer and that fine tool has been held back badly by just that.

Home Depot could be good for the Mark if they take care of their own problems at the same time.

Yeah, you’re right, over forty-five years!!!

(posted on June 7th, 2008 at 8:56 pm)

H. LEWIS SMITH said,

What- me moderate!!

(posted on June 7th, 2008 at 8:57 pm)

Jack Black said,

Like most of you, I think the table saw is the weak point in the Mark V. I bought mine for $300 from my brother-in-law. I haven’t had a chance to use it much, but what I have, I’ve been pleased with. The accesories are a bit pricey, but for the hobbyist most of them can be made up as Jigs until they can be purchased. I remember reading about Shopsmith in some of my grandfather’s woodworking books, and always wanted one. When the chance finially arrived, I jumped on it. It needed some minor work, but it is an easy machine to clean and fix. My model is a 1980 model, soon as I pluged it up, I realized I had most every tool I needed now. I’ve even came across some of Shopsmiths “Hands-on” magazines. This is a great tool for anyone that only has a limited sized shop and needs a good way to relax after work. I hope the company can stay going after my daughter gets old.

(posted on June 8th, 2008 at 10:49 pm)

Scott in NC said,

Jerry in Worthington,
I agree with everything you say and if I recall correctly we had these very conversations back in ‘98 as we drove around Columbus and Hilliard.
Why don’t we just pool our cash and come up with the twelve dollars and seventy-three cents that the SS is worth now and run it ourselves?
If you still have my # give me a call some time!

(posted on June 11th, 2008 at 4:29 pm)

Doug Pocius said,

Yeah, my dad had one, too. He got his in the early ’50s; I guess that would make it a 10E? He built quite a few things with it (a log-periodic speaker cabinet comes to mind), and I learned basic shop practice on it. Sadly, it got left behind when we moved to CA in the early ’70s.

Now I’m retired and I’m building a proper garage/workshop, albeit not quite as big as I’d like, so I was thinking a used SS mostly for the lathe and horizontal boring capabilities. This would be in addition to a proper cabinet saw and maybe a jointer/planer.

It’s sad to think that just about the time I get around to getting one, factory support might disappear. I’m glad there’s such a large user base with a wealth of experience to draw from on the Internet, especially given the quirks of a ShopSmith.

(posted on June 13th, 2008 at 6:18 pm)

Paul Tooke said,

Hi all
I have lost the ability to feel in my fingers and cannot do woodwork much anymore.
I have a Shopsmith Mark V that I’ve had for 30 years.I’ve used it for less than 1000 hours total in the thirty years I’ve owned it. It has a bandsaw accessory also.
It’s in pretty good condition and am selling it. $1400.00 OBO.
If anyone is interested, Please call me. 801-943-6133

(posted on June 29th, 2008 at 9:14 pm)

Joel Hess said,

Hello Paul,

I’m sorry you’re not able to do any woodworking. That must have been very tough to give it up.

FYI, We have a “Sell and Trade” forum at WoodNet.net. If you’d like to post your ShopSmith for sale there, here’s a link:

http://www.woodnet.net/forums/

Joel Hess

(posted on June 30th, 2008 at 10:04 am)

Jim Parks said,

I wanted a shopsmith as a young man and found raising children limited my ability to own one. Two years ago I purchased a 520 and all of the accessories new from Shopsmith. Expensive yes. Worth the investment, you bet. This will enable me to have a small shop and keep my mind and fingers busy into retirement. The shopsmith’s accuracy is fantastic. The learning curve and continuosuly finding new ways to do even the simpe tasks will certainly keep my mind active. Shopsmith is in the process of remaking itself. I truly believe they will be around for a long time. If you want a fine worksop and have li mited space it is your best bet. Jim Parks

(posted on June 30th, 2008 at 3:35 pm)

Paul Cohen said,

I have owned a Shopsmith since 1982 and anyone who complains about the tablesaw been weak has not seen the model 520 or of has a shop the much larger then most. I can cut to the center of a 4/8 plywood sheet held anyone one wants and then remove all the extensions and store the machine in front of a car in a standard garage.

Find me another tool 50+ years old that can be fully upgraded to the latest model and that you can get any replacement part new from the manufacturer or new or used on eBay. The variable speed also give you something you don’t get on other saws.

It’s lathe abilities are hard to beat on a dedicated machine as is its true woodworking drill press.

Using all the extension tables you can configure a bandsaw table whose size is second to none.

(posted on July 1st, 2008 at 2:10 am)

Blane Ryan said,

I purchased my Model 520 new in 2004. It had greatly exceeded my expectations. My grandfather built his home using a Shopsmith. I have never had a problem with customer support/service. THe Shopsmith folks are GREAT at helping owners with issues. One thing I have learned: you get what you pay for. The Shopsmith is a quality machine. Look at the other posts that bear this out. As for Shopsmith being down on its knees I don’t believe it for a second. Like Mark Twain said when he read his obituary: “Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated”!

(posted on July 1st, 2008 at 1:00 pm)

Paul Tooke said,

Thanks for the info about the “Sell and Trade” forum at WoodNet.net.
I’ll post it on there tonight.
Yes, woodworking was a beautiful pastime and I’d love to do something else in it, but it’s kinda risky with no feeling in your fingers. I had neck surgery and it’s affected the nerve endings down a distributive nerve pathway.
Thanks again for your help.
Keep working.
Paul

(posted on July 1st, 2008 at 11:31 pm)

Bruce said,

I just aquired my late uncle’s Shopsmith he bought in the 80’s. The book was dated in 1984 that came with it. I would like to get a new table saw blade. Can I find one locally at a box store or because the arbor is needed, are they a special order item?

(posted on July 6th, 2008 at 6:32 pm)

Dan said,

Bruce:
Welcome to the club. For parts, just go to http://www.shopsmith.com and order a catalog or buy right on line.

Dan

(posted on July 9th, 2008 at 3:08 pm)

Mark Stanek said,

I have been using my Daddy’s Shopsmith for the last 36 years. He furnished the house with some well crafted, fuctional pieces of furniture.
I remembering asking myself at an early age.
Was he gifted, or was it the 55 year old Shopsmith that I still use today? Of course I now know it was both.
Yesterday, July 2008 I bought a newer (used) Shopsmith 510. I will be retiring soon. I’m going to ask my son if he wants his Grandpa”s Shopsmith Mark 5.
“Christmas in July” has a hole new meaning to me.
So, Daddy if your looking down on me….. THANKS!
Your son Mark

(posted on July 22nd, 2008 at 1:26 pm)

bob paul said,

HOPE SMITH MARK V 510 IS A GREAT MACINE FOR MAKEING ALMOST ANY THING SMALL. THE TABLE TOP IS TO SMALL (IN DEBTH) AND THE ENTIRE UNIT TO HIGH FOR A 5 FT. 8 IN PERSON. THE PRICE TODAY IS TOO HIGHT WHEN YOU CONSIDER YOU CAN BUY TABLE SIDE, DRILL PRESS, BOREING MACHINE, LATH, DISK SANDER AND SO ON FOR LESS THAN A NEW SHOP SMITH WITH ALL THE ACCESSORYS NEEDED TO DO THE ABOVE JOBS. I AM SELLING MINE (USED ONLY TEN TIMES) AND FULLY UPDATED AND MANY ACCESSORYS FOR ABOUT $2,000. WICH IS ABOUT $3,000. LESS THAN A NEW ONE AND MINE IS LIKE NEW.

I BELIEVE IT IS A MISTAKE FOR YOUR SITE TO FORCAST THE DEMISE OF SHOP SMITH. THERE ARE LAWS AGAINST THAT BECAUSE OF IT’S POTENTIAL AFFECT ON STOCK PRICE AND/OR ABILITY OF SHOP SMITH TO BORROW MONEY. SUGGEST YOU MAY WANT TO ALTER YOUR OPNION.

I WISH SHOP SMITH GREAT LUCK IN THE FUTURE AND HOME THE FIND A WAY TO SELL THEIR MACHINES THROUGH SOME GOOD SOURCE AT AT A COMPETATIVE PRICE.

BOB

(posted on July 24th, 2008 at 2:33 pm)

Marcia said,

Here is a Shopsmith vendor’s opinion about their demise. A healthy company pays their vendors for work they contracted… unfortunately, Shopsmith is not one of them. Dayton, Ohio, is a pretty small town and word gets around quickly when a company does not pay their vendors.

This has been going on since July, 2007, when they sent out a letter to all their vendors because of the “financial issues” they were having. The letter states they had a decline in sales, operating losses, and significant reduction in their net worth.
Vendors who did not agree to their dubious payment terms have either sued them or never got paid.

Companies that thrive have sound ethical decision-making practices. Unfortunately, Shopsmith lost theirs somewhere along the way.

(posted on August 5th, 2008 at 9:15 am)

jerry said,

I have owned a shopsmith for many years I also have many other name brand tools ,but shopsmith has the very best support group or customer service I have ever had the pleasure to work with on all levels,and hope to many more years to come.

(posted on August 27th, 2008 at 11:05 am)

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