Subject: Re: Shopsmith 5 ??

From: [email-masked]
Date: 8 Feb 1997 18:51:41 GMT

Just attended their demo at a local mall.  Twenty years ago I was on their
mailing list, but couldn't afford one.  Now I've purchased many stand
alone tools that do most of the functions the Shopsmith does.  For those
with space limitations, I would take a serious look at it.  The setup
times in switching from one function to another is really negligible. 
Especially if you take the time to make handy storage racks for the
accessories.

Here are some random observations:
The fit & finish looked good, and it ran very smooth.
The table tilts for miters (table saw) which may be a pain for larger
panels.
The horizontal boring capabilities are great & would be hard toduplicate
without spending a lot of $.
Use it for 30 days without laying out a penny.  They even pay return
freight if you decide not to keep it.
They throw in a couple of major accessories if you order at the dog & pony
show.  I would either seek out a show near you or talk long and hard for
the same deal direct.
Sometimes there are a couple of ads in the classified section of the local
newspaper for used ones.
Dust collection system ran quiet enough to carry on a conversation next to
it.

Tom D.

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From: [email-masked] (James Burkholder)
Date: Sat, 08 Feb 1997 17:02:58 -0500

In article <[email-masked]>, [email-masked]
wrote:

> Just attended their demo at a local mall.  
> 

I've had a shopsmith for some years, but don't really do that much work
with it.  I have found that it functions well as the drill press,
horizontal boring function, sander, but don't find the saw very good.  
The table is too small...even with the extension thing at the end of the
machine.  The fence system really requires enormous care.   One must
measure front and back, and essentially resquare the thing every time you
change positions.  

I'm in the process of buying a table saw because I don't think the
Shopsmith really cuts it.   I'll certainly keep it for its other
functions.

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From: Melvyn Cooper <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 08 Feb 1997 20:48:30 -0500

> Dust collection system ran quiet enough to carry on a conversation next to
Having experienced a shopsmith, I can tell you that those guy's that do
the demonstrations are not far short of being magicians.Mel

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From: [email-masked] (Tom Almy)
Date: Sun, 09 Feb 1997 08:48:30 -0500

>the demonstrations are not far short of being magicians.Mel

Now, now! If you spend as much time using one as the demonstrators do,
you'd be a "magician" too! As in most pursuits, practice makes perfect.

Tom Almy

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From: [email-masked] (GEORGII1)
Date: 11 Feb 1997 10:48:14 GMT

I'm not a magician and I'd be willing to bet that I can set up as fast as
any of those folks that do the demonstrations.

As with anything once you've done it's no problem.  Canging that tool over
is no different than setting up other tools for work.  

Jolyn