Guess they are not doing fairs and shopping malls any more

 

https://www.shopsmith.com/live-online-demonstration-and-sales-event/?presenter=MY

COVID changed how many events previously presented in person have been replaced virtually. Technology advancements in the last 10 years also have altered the need for "in person, live events reducing travel and venue costs. That and there are significantly fewer open concept malls with even less foot traffic than in the 70's-90's. Changing world for sure.

It's kind of strange though, they say space is limited for each event, but it's virtual.

Lowes, and, probably a few other venues, used to host those demos. I've often wondered just how many sales they generated. I bought my first one in '75 as a result of a magazine ad. Heck, back then, there was but one reality. You had to use your imagination.

3 hours ago, John Morris said:

It's kind of strange though, they say space is limited for each event, but it's virtual.

Some of the virtual platforms, like Zoom, have an attendee limit.  Or they are just trying to make it sound exclusive.

 

Years ago, maybe 20-25 or so, a couple of guys from OK organized a "Weekend in Dayton" at Shopsmith HQ.  Classes, factory tour, demos, etc.  A few years later, one of those guys became a SS traveling demo/sales guy.  He was one of their top sales people, but he got laid off.

 

There used to be a demo at the Ohio State Fair that I attend annually.  No more.

 

There used to be a store in the front of the factory.  No more.

 

I think the influx of Taiwanese (and later Chinese) tools spelled trouble for SS whose main competition for many years was Sears Craftsman and if you could find a local dealer, Delta.  As did the ability to shop on the internet, as opposed to "mail order" catalogs.

 

They used to have a whole building for their factory, service, and parts.  Now they just have a portion of it.  Being a bit naive on manufacturing, I was a little surprised of how they worked.  All the parts and components were outsourced.  It was really "assembly."  They did some final drilling and milling and then on to assembly.  The main assembly line was about 30 feet long.   In the afternoon (I suppose depending upon demand) there were individual work stations for each of the component parts (e.g., band saw, jointer, belt sander, etc.)   Each of those was about 10 ft square, with a platform in the middle and parts on a U-shaped surround.  They were reforming into "lean manufacturing"    There even was a just-in-time wall of hardware that a sales rep came in toward the end of every week and ordered parts for restocking.  If they reached critical level, it was expressed out same day from Cincinnati to north of Dayton (a bit over an hour).  Some of the bigger parts were stockpiled as they got "economic order quantity"    All this was on my visits in early 2000

 

It is interesting to see that the person who resurrected Shopsmith from a warehouse of parts in the 70s, John Folkerth (or maybe his son), is still running the company.

Not sure that, if I were starting this woodworking hobby today, I'd be a buyer. I've never regretted my Shopsmith acquisitions,  though. Before I had a decent sized shop, they were...and still are... a handy tool. Both of mine are the MK Vs and, as such have some limitations. None that haven't been overcome with a few jigs and, other helpers. The FrankenSmith has been a real work horse. But, those mods have also, limited it's use. The accessory tools can still be operated but, the DP function went away. Raising the carriage is impossible, now. Hence, the addition of the "Shorty". 

I wish the Shopsmith company all the best. It really is a good machine and, at least, mostly made in the USA. 

I don't think you could find a machine with this kind of versatility anywhere else. And, some very good buys can be found in the used market. 

Edited May 6, 20223 yr by Gene Howe

Don’t forget it’s the only way to have a lot of different machine capabilities, in a small area.

Probably wouldn't work for me. Requires a reasonable amount of planning to reduce set-up changes.

From saw operations to Drill press is about 3 minutes. That's if the chuck is easily located and the hex screw hasn't disappeared.

These days, I almost need Phyl to come out and help me lift it into DP mode, though. I'm too cheap to buy the lift assist!

Speaking of needing assistance. Somebody's added sand bags to that little bandsaw. 

I saw them demonstrated probably in the late 60s at a shopping mall (Tri-County mall, Keith. Back then it was a L shaped open air strip mall.) and I was plenty impressed. That didn't stick with me as I got older and starting acquiring tools. Dumb me, I though a Craftsman RAS would do everything the SS did. I quickly learned better after I acquired that C'Man RAS.

20 hours ago, Artie said:

Don’t forget it’s the only way to have a lot of different machine capabilities, in a small area.

For sure!!!!!

6 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

I saw them demonstrated probably in the late 60s at a shopping mall (Tri-County mall, Keith. Back then it was a L shaped open air strip mall.) and I was plenty impressed. That didn't stick with me as I got older and starting acquiring tools. Dumb me, I though a Craftsman RAS would do everything the SS did. I quickly learned better after I acquired that C'Man RAS.

Yeah, I sort of did the same RAS starting out.  I'd read a book that extolled its virtues.  Besides not staying in line, it scared me. Ripping? HA!

 

My BIL (much older than me( had been a SS owner since the early '60s, I think (the green motor case) and talked me into it.  The RAS became mostly a place to pile stuff, so sold it.

 

Actually, I'd bought a Sears RAS in the mid 70s and disliked it so much i returned it.   Then dumb me, tried again 10 years later.

For the record, I love the RAS....just not C'Man models. The one I have is an 1960s Dewalt and it doesn'r have any of the problems of the C'Man. I also don't try to make it do everything under the sun...it just saws wood. Craftsman tried to introduce accessories that were really bad ideas. I consider them complimentary to a table saw, not a replacement.

Edited May 8, 20223 yr by Fred W. Hargis Jr

Had a Sears one for about 6 months. Sold it to a building contractor. Had it been the DeWalt Or a Walker Turner, it might still be in the inventory. Probably not. The SCMS does everything I need.

20 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

I saw them demonstrated probably in the late 60s at a shopping mall (Tri-County mall, Keith. Back then it was a L shaped open air strip mall.) ...

The newest thing, mixed retail, dining, and upscale residences 

https://www.wlwt.com/article/tri-county-mall-cincinnati-closing-redevelopment-project-date/39572456#

 

 

Saw a place last week, "Towne Centre Pointe"   How hoity-toity!  Must be "luxury" real estate.

Wow! I would have never thought that would happen. The money that's been spent building that place....wow.

2 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

Wow! I would have never thought that would happen. The money that's been spent building that place....wow.

Wonder if they'll have a Taco Bell.

5 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

Wow! I would have never thought that would happen. The money that's been spent building that place....wow.

Yes, when we moved to Cinci (1979) that shopping center was open air in between the stores.  A bit later, it was all closed in.   But I didn't go there often, just a couple of times to one of the last Sears store (that I regretted).

 

A few years ago, there was a new "mixed" development in another part of town -- botiquey stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and "deluxe" condos/apartments.  It was made to look like old-timey streets with sidewalks.   I had some work there about 10 days before the official opening.  Ha!  They were still digging trenches, putting up forms for sidewalks, and a number of stores didn't even have their exterior (glass) walls up.  We tried to go back a few weeks before Christmas (several months later).  There was a line to get in to the parking area.  I figured even when we did get in, it would take half an hour to get out.   Have not been back since.

 

I occasionally see photos of the "downtown" areas near where I grew up from the 50s.  It was a bit nostalgic to see all the little shops.

 

Boy, did this thread take a left turn.

6 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

Wow! I would have never thought that would happen. The money that's been spent building that place....wow.

For a while, you could not go more than two exits on I-275 on the north side without having a mall.  Northgate mall (furthest west) fell into ruins and was frequented by belligerent teens.  Forest Fair (next east) never really took off after original builder went bankrupt several attempts and same problems.  Bass Pro was about the only thing holding on there.   Next was Tri-County.  I can't remember the last time I was in a mall.

 

There are a few closer in town in more affluent areas.  Not sure how they're doing.   If they have a Towne or Centre in their name, probably OK.

The 2020 census of Tucson was approximately 3/4 that of Cincy. Tucson has 3 1/2 major malls. The 1/2 is the oldest, smallest and, has had a couple renovations. It's probably the more successful of all of them. The rest are huge, fancy edifices with acres of parking. One was anchored by Sears on one end and, JC Penny's on the other. I think the old Sears is still empty. One of the others is anchored by Mays and ??? The second oldest and, maybe the largest, doesn't seem to have a "Name"anchor. They all seem to have either a Red Lobster or Olive Garden that shares their lot. 

Todays Tucsonans don't seem to be big mall shoppers. There are just too many other handier and more personalized venues. 

I stay as far from Phoenix as possible but, news stories indicate that those malls are hurting also.  

But, some store keepers must be doing OK. AZ collected more sales tax in 2021 than in any previous year.