While I don't own nor have I ever used a SS, I do remember the glory days of ShopSmith; the demo sessions in local malls, actual SS store fronts in Indy and so on. Regardless of your opinion of SS then or now, as a company they probably generated more interest into woodworking for hobbyist than any other company. They were ahead of their time in many ways and paved the way for many woodworking retail outlets today.

 

Love him or hate him, Scott Phillips has and continues to instill his passion for woodworking. While I don't always agree with his methods, I do watch his show and cant deny his success. He obviously has done something right to survive these many years both in his business and as a PBS show host. His long term association with one of our sponsors, Woodcraft, speaks volumes. Anyways, all my opinion but hope you to take time to watch. Great interview IMO.

 

 

Edited December 21, 20232 yr by Grandpadave52

The local woodworking club had Scott in for a seminar while he was in the process of starting his PBS show.

 

And yes, back in the day, there was Craftsman, Delta, if you could find a dealer, and Shopsmith.   Here in the Miami Valley (Dayton/Cincinnati and surrounds), Shopsmith had a great presence.   My BIL got one back in the '60s I think he got it as payment for playing in a swing band.  He used it until he went into a retirement community, at which time, he gave it to his son.  He convinced me to buy one early in my woodworking career.   It got me started.  But then I went to another seminar and was convinced to buy a Unisaw, as my tasks tended to center on table saw and that was one of the weak points of the Shopsmith, IMO.  If I was going to rip pieces, 2", then 10" then 20" it meant a lot of changing stuff around and using a tape measure not a cursor.  And cutting bevels scared me a bit.

Thanks Gramps! After dinner I'll have a look!

I've met Scott, his shop is abut 35 miles south of me. While there's almost nothing about his show that I like it's hard to deny he's been quite successful with it. He's entering his 29th (or 30th) season I think and he's done well with it; that bewilders me but so does a lot of other things. He is certainly popular with the locals.

Edited December 22, 20232 yr by Fred W. Hargis Jr

 His show must not make it to "Two Weeks From Anywhere". 

Since moving from the mountains, I  don't seem to be able to get his show. A few of his shows were enough for me, anyway. He and his wife seem to be really nice folks, though. 

IF I take the "back way" past the Lockington Dam....on my way from Sidney, OH. to Piqua, OH....I drive right by his place....there is an old stone quarry that has been turned into a lake....with quite a few fancy houses been build around it....

 

Anyone remember the old woodshop he USED to film at....in the first few years...BEFORE KREG Pocket screws..?

39 minutes ago, steven newman said:

 

Anyone remember the old woodshop he USED to film at....in the first few years...BEFORE KREG Pocket screws..?

 I do, and those shows were better than the newer offerings.

Caught my eye at the 6:00 mark him talking about a square he made and sold.  At the 8:50 he says Woodcraft has a Pinnacle square that rivals his.  It happens to be the square I won on the Summer fundraiser.

 

23 hours ago, steven newman said:

IF I take the "back way" past the Lockington Dam....on my way from Sidney, OH. to Piqua, OH....I drive right by his place....there is an old stone quarry that has been turned into a lake....with quite a few fancy houses been build around it....

 

Anyone remember the old woodshop he USED to film at....in the first few years...BEFORE KREG Pocket screws..?

23 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

 I do, and those shows were better than the newer offerings.

 Probably why we mostly watch MeTV. Just can't get into any of those alternate "reality" shows.