BillinGA on Wed, 28 Mar 2018 03:55:05 -0700 (PDT)
typed in rec.woodworking the following:
I bought one in 1978. I was limited to keeping my woodworking equipment in a 4x 8 carport storage room. When needed, I would roll it out onto the carport and cut/turn away. Shopsmith offered classes at a very reasonable rate and the training projects made one familiar with the different configurations. The variable speed motor is plenty strong and doesn't rely on expensive electronics. Still runs well after all these years. The ease of dado adjustment comes to mind as the blades are right there and you lower the table over them for use. I've never taken 20 minutes to make any setup change and that includes going from a "table saw" (not much table) to a drill press....more like 5-6 minutes. Since then I was able to have a larger shop and , like most others, acquired a table saw, radial arm, router tables, etc. The Shopsmith met my financial and space needs at the time of purchase. It doesn't do any one function particularly well when compared to dedicated tools but I've never
regretted the purchase.

Exactly. It beats not having whatever it is you need.

I just don't have the space right now for a shop smith. Or
anything else, for that matter.
--
pyotr filipivich
Next month's Panel: Graft - Boon or blessing?