Letters From MARK V Owners



	*From Our Owner's*
	SEPT/OCT 2003 Volume 46/Issue 5 *IN THIS ISSUE* Project Articles • Queen Anne Living Room Tables • Covered Wagon Toy Box • Tilting Shelf Sewing Thread Holder *DEPARTMENTS* • Ask Smitty • Owner’s Gallery • Letters from Owners Academy Notes Clean Cuts - Pt. 2 - Lathe Tool Sharpening Service Pointers MARK V Miter Gauge Safety Tips Safety First! What's New 42" Filter Hood for DC3300 *EDUCATION* • Find A Shopsmith Woodworking Academy Near You • National Woodworking Academy in Dayton, OH *ONLINE CATALOGS* • Online Accessory Catalog • Request Printed Accessory Catalog • Online Replacement Parts Catalog *MARK V INFORMATION* • Find A Shopsmith MARK V Demo Near You • Request MARK V Information Package *LINKS* • Links Worth Visiting • Free Woodworking Tips *FEEDBACK* Contacting Shopsmith Copyright 2003. Shopsmith, Inc. All Rights Reserved
				Real Letters from Shopsmith Power Tool Owners
				Maine woodworker appreciates Shopsmith's American roots Gary Randall of Brunswick, ME writes... “I have a 1962 MARK V that I purchased new. I was devastated when the original Shopsmith company folded (in the late 60's)...and delighted when the new Company started-up in the early 70's. The fact that I could have gotten along until today without repair parts says a lot about the quality and simple design of the machine. Like most users, I bought my machine planning to add accessories over time, which I have been able to do, thanks to the strength of today's Shopsmith Company. I wouldn't be as comfortable making a long-term commitment to a company that can't compete without depending on Asian manufacturing and assembly.” Ohio owner looks forward to attending National Academy Jim Devine of Lima, OH writes... “I just returned home from a local Traveling Academy session and wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it and learned from it. I've used my Shopsmith for hundreds of woodworking and home improvement projects over the past fourteen years and still continue to learn more about it with each new project. I also learned many new things at today's Academy and was reminded of numerous others that I had forgotten. The presentation was both entertaining and informative. These sessions help keep the enthusiasm high for woodworking, while keeping owners involved. I hope you will continue them and add more advanced classes to your Traveling Academy. As a result of my experience today, I will try to schedule one or more of your classes in the Dayton area.” MARK V is “best old friend” to Texas man D. McMahon of San Antonio, TX writes... “My Dad helped me purchase my first Shopsmith (Model 10-E) from Montgomery Ward's when I was 15 years old (some 52 years ago). He co-signed a $200 loan for me and I paid him $10 a month. A couple of years later, I sold that one and bought a “new” MARK V. Boy...was it a beauty! I kept it until 1964; I was in the Air Force and was moving every two to three years. When I got transferred to Colorado Springs, the movers lost my MARK V, although I did still have my box of accessories. So, I bought a new MARK VII and have owned it ever since. Today....I have a special place for my Shopsmith. He's my best, old close friend. He was always there when I was depressed. He was always there to help me build the kids' furniture and cradle. He was still there through my divorce and is still here to witness my new-found happiness. I've been remarried now for a wonderful, younger lady (17 years my junior) who loves woodworking and everything I enjoy doing. She understands my needs for my shop. She understands that it's a part of me and has accepted it as she accepted my kids. It's now a part of her. I don't use it much now, but for almost 40 years, “my old friend” was with me, making tons of sawdust and anything and everything. I guess you might say he's “retired”, now but he's still here with me and my wife. We both have lots of miles to go and good productive years left.!” 56-year-old man uses MARK V to “launch” woodworking hobby L. Newby writes... “I've owned my Model 510 MARK V for a year now and waited 20 years to get it. I've used every function of my machine many times over during the past year and must thank the Shopsmith Company who sold me a quality product and backed it up with superb personal service. What a refreshing experience. After just a year of ownership, I know that I made the right decision when I bought my MARK V. Working in my shop is a pleasure and I can now do things I wouldn't have dreamed of trying a year ago. At age 56, I've advanced from absolute novice to bumbling amateur, but I'll become “a woodworker” one of these years.” New Zealander converts 50-year-old American MARK V for foreign use Stanley Kahl of N. Canterbury, New Zealand writes... “In October of 1997, I returned to the U.S. to help my brother and sister clear the estate of my Father, who had recently passed away. While there, I decided to round up all of the woodworking equipment that I'd left behind when our family moved to New Zealand in 1988. I had really been missing my 1954 MARK V. Since it had a 110-volt motor, I looked and found an old Shopsmith catalog packed away with my MARK V in my brother-in-law's garage in Florida, so I decided to call to see if the Shopsmith Company was “still alive”. I was pleasantly surprised to hear a friendly voice directing me to your parts and service department. I ordered a 240-volt motor to convert my MARK V for use in New Zealand...along with a number of other accessories that I needed. Everything was scheduled to go into a container shipment headed for New Zealand in about two weeks. In less than a week, everything arrived...EXCEPT THE MOTOR. The day before the container was scheduled to ship, I called your number and got through to someone. Since the container was scheduled to be packed and shipped the following day, she said that she'd overnight the motor to the address I gave her. Sure enough, the motor arrived before 10:30 the following morning and went straight into the container. I installed it as soon as it arrived in New Zealand and it has been working on my MARK V ever since. So, I'm thankful for several reasons. First, that you and your Company are still going strong in this day of fierce competition and opposition. It's a credit to you and all of your employees that Shopsmith adheres to the highest standards of excellence and service. Yours is one of the finest companies I have dealt with in a long time !”