Concerning the shopsmith it is an acceptable unit. A lot of poeple who bash
it most likely never have had one. Most of us who actually own one will
admit that it has its limitations. However I know of a gentlemen wh oused
to be in the newgroup and had three or four of them in his pro shop. I have
made custom pieces of furniture on mine that have gone for quite a bit of
money. Does it teach planning and skills such as machine set up yes yes
yes. I now have a number of stand alone tools in the shop but still have my
shopsmith. While I do not use it as much, I will tell you that it has
capabilities that no stand alone tool has.
Carl Stigers
Carl's Custom Woodworking