Your DAD bought HIS Shopsmith woodworking tools from Mike Young! Let's chat with Mike!

[@timplays6602]

Mike spun the slogan "The expertise is built right in" so well, great speaker and salesman.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Agreed.

[@jamespowell7196]

I ordered my 1st Shopsmith from Mike Young 30 years ago on Mother's Day! I got a 505, DC, Jointer, and Bandsaw at Lowe's who offered financing 0% for 6 months! My only regret was having to get the upgrade to 520 about 2 months later when I attended a seminar lead by Susan Reid. Over the next 12 months, I purchased most of the special purpose tools, and most of the accessories in the catalog. I was then ready to go to the academy for the classes. Great product with great support! jim

[@sassafrasvalley1939]

I met Mike at a demonstration in Kansas City sometime in the ‘90s. At that time I had just bought a lightly used MarkV - 510. Watching him demonstrate the tool was like watching a master artist wield a brush. It inspired me to go home and build a storage system for all my tools and accessories. I wanted to be able to have everything at my fingertips without having to search for it. I also practiced changeovers to go through all the steps as quickly and precisely as possible. That has served me well. Although I’ve still not achieved perfection in storage or precision… Mike gave me the impetus to seek it out and pursue it. And, that has shifted changeover from a necessary evil to an enjoyable challenge! Thanks Mike… I just wanted you to know that sometimes you influence people beyond the urge to buy! I’ll look up your channel for sure!!! Thanks Scott… you do good work.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Thanks, Dave.

[@QNSwebmaster]

Just a classic. Thank you for this historical video. You are amongst an elite band of brothers and American icons.

[@woodshopnerdery]

When building my Mark .5, other than the one in the background of the Shopsmith Hands On-Line videos, Mike Young's Mark .5 model is the only REAL example I could find on line. He shows a short clip of his Mark .5 during the intro of his videos. I paused, rewound and played at 0.25 speed this section of video a dozen times while building mine. A very small clip, but gave me BIG help!

[@Keiths_Shopsmith]

Just watched this interview. Excellent!!! I bought my 7 from Mike last fall. My dad bought his V from Mike at the Puyallup, WA demo in the early ‘80s. VERY satisfied owners.

[@MyGrowthRings]

That’s awesome, Keith!

[@MrMarkpeggy]

Thanks for the great interview with Mike, Scott. My work this time of year is insanely busy. It took me over a week of small segments to watch this whole conversation and I loved it.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Tha is for sticking with it, Mark!

[@billlarrabee9436]

I use my mark 5 with pride. I am third owner of this machine and can not see any other machine in my future. Watching your videos just makes my job easier and gives me inspiration. Thank you!

[@MyGrowthRings]

That’s great to hear, Bill. Thanks for watching and joining in the conversation. Scott

[@curttundra]

Absolutely priceless hour of my time! Exceptional back and forth interview. I could listen to another hour or more of both of your knowledge and past experience with Shopsmith. I believe my Dad bought his Shopsmith from Mike at the Washington State Fair many moons ago. The story about the small cradle and train is fantastic. Thanks so much for sharing. Curt.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Thanks for that, Curt. Scott

[@rexoliver7780]

EXCELLENT program.My father bought the Shopsmith 10ER about when I was born from Wards in 1951.Went thru a flood-he was able to salvage the headstock and make a drill press from it.Now my brother has it.Still works!

[@LeenieVibes]

Or my MOM did! Love Mr. Young's story. Thank you for sharing him.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Awesome. Sorry for leaving her out.

[@danielhoshock9634]

That was a great interview, Scott! Very enjoyable. Loved hearing Mike's stories. I'm now subscribed to Mike's channel and looking forward to his future postings.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Glad you enjoyed it, Daniel. Scott

[@garycrumrine9538]

Wow Mikw, I wish my dad could have spent some time with you when he first bought his Shopsmith. He was frustrated a lot, and it was his age and the beginnings of Alzheimers as the root cause. Fast forward, he eventually passed, and I ended up with his old Mark V. Now I saving for a Mark7. Wish me luck

[@MyGrowthRings]

Gary, that’s really a sad story but hopefully it was have a happy ending. Scott

[@TheGrantAlexander]

Another video and I saw that same bi-plane my father made for me in the background. Thanks again for sharing these awesome stories!

[@MyGrowthRings]

My pleasure.

[@TheGrantAlexander]

@@MyGrowthRings I'm sure this comment seems strange without reading the comment i made on your other video interview🤣🤣

[@MyGrowthRings]

No, I get it!

[@brucepeter3409]

Superb video Scott, don't know how anyone will have any "cheap shots" on this one, questions maybe, Was able to see one of Mike's live presentations and he is very low pressure very likable, and easy to understand why he is a "top-salesman" even though it's a term Mike doesn't like but should be proud of.

[@MyGrowthRings]

I happen to agree with you on that.

[@PhilNPrice]

Agree on shopsmith being an ethical company. I bought a 510 table upgrade on eBay and when it arrived the main table wouldn’t raise and lower smoothly, it took a lot of force and only went up or down in chunky steps. Eventually I determined that one of the riser tubes was riveted into place at just slightly the wrong angle, looked fine to even a careful inspection but it was just enough that the gears didn’t quite mesh with the knurling. I thought I’d probably have to shell out for a replacement, since I didn’t really expect shopsmith to warranty a twenty-year-old part that was bought second-hand. But they did: I sent them the riser assembly and they sent me a replacement, no charge. I love the tool and the company and I hope they succeed.

[@MyGrowthRings]

@@PhilNPrice That’s an awesome story, and I’ve heard similar stories over the years. They do try to treat their customer right.

[@PondweedSJ23]

Very nice interview, thanks! What a sweet guy.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Thanks!

[@digconway1121]

I always enjoyed watching Mike when he came to the Puyallup area.

[@woodshopnerdery]

Very nice. I liked the storied about the cradle and the train.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Me too.

[@ronallman6055]

What a great interview. Can't wait to see the next episode of Today's Shopsmith.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Thanks, Ron.

[@BourbonCreations]

Love the background info, very interesting and fun to watch! Keep up the good work!

[@MyGrowthRings]

Thanks, Dad! Scott

[@gatheringsplinters4800]

Definitely going to check out Mike’s channel!

[@terrya11]

you and Mike was talking about the shopsmith stores when if purchased my machine I drove 6 hrs to pick up my machine in Albuquerque store the manager was a great guy cannot remember his name he made sure i had everything i would need to align it when it was removed from the boxes. Before I left the store

[@MyGrowthRings]

SS really had a cool thing going for themselves, back in the day, didn’t they? Scott

[@terrya11]

@@MyGrowthRings They really did I loved going to the stores miss them alot of course my bank account is somewhat safer

[@MrBeechcrafter]

I bought my Mark V back in 1984. In the eighties and early nineties, I can't tell how much money I spent at the Shopsmith Store in Foster City, CA. I use to drive the 3 hours each way to buy my equipment there and stuff like bar clamps, wood clamps, shaper cutters and such.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Wow, that’s one long road trip!

[@homefrontforge]

I want to say my dad filled out an information card and sent it in after a demonstration at the Upper Valley Mall in Springfield, OH in 1981. I wonder if Mike was the demonstrator.

[@MyGrowthRings]

He may very well have been, but an 81 Shopsmith was going full steam with dozens of presenters on staff.

[@jamesbrunk9817]

Scott, I think everyone who owns a Shopsmith has come across Mike at a Lowe’s recently. He also started a 2 day seminar on using the equipment that seems to have died, even prior to Covid. I attended in Dallas a few years back. Provided me with lots of good info. Would like to see Shopsmith reconstitute/continue/expand that program. Since you are doing more interviews lately (please buy a house and get your shop back up!), how about trying to get Jacob Anderson (I hope I got the name right - he has retired from repairing Shopsmiths, but does have a KZbin channel), or someone from Shopsmith Engineering (I talked to Sue Powell a few months ago concerning my Powerpro - very knowledgeable!)

[@MyGrowthRings]

That’s a great idea and I’ve already reached out to Jacob. I’m not sure if he even monitors his emails anymore, but we’ll see.

[@earlblakley4910]

What about parts for the older Shopsmith accessories or is it just scrap yard material now?

[@MyGrowthRings]

@@earlblakley4910 The bod and bad about Shopsmith tools it that they last forever, and there are plenty of resellers who buy them and part them out of eBay, so anything you can’t get directly from Shopsmith you can buy used.

[@thebeggarswoodshop8756]

I'm a younger guy but even I know who Edgar Burgan is and recall a picture of him with 10e/10er along with Charlie and Mortimer.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Yep, that was a classic Life Magazine shoot.

[@ritchienordstrom255]

Did either one of you have a stop in Missoula, MT in about 1997 - 1999? I think that is about the time I bought my Mark V.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Mike may have. I was managing a retail store for Shopsmith in Columbus, OH at that time.

[@ritchienordstrom255]

@@MyGrowthRings Thanks for the prompt reply.

[@jvmorse]

I got my PowerPro from Mike!

[@debbicressyoung436]

Mike was a little confused! Lol I never worked directly for John Folkerth. I worked for Barry Hile and Bob Folkerth as well as a few others.

[@MyGrowthRings]

I knew we should’ve had you on the call! Thank you for making your cameo appearance and for setting a straight on a few things. Scott

[@debbicressyoung436]

I started working for Shopsmith in 1984. I’m pretty sure he started in 1985.

[@elywalton1236]

What was the comment re: Roy Underhill that was cut from the video? TIA

[@MyGrowthRings]

Ely, I was looking for things to edit out and after Mike said that Roy was pulling our leg he immediately pivoted into an unrelated story, so I clipped it. I agree that it was abrupt, but that’s all he said about Roy. Scott

[@elywalton1236]

@@MyGrowthRings Thanks for the quick reply!

[@MyGrowthRings]

@@elywalton1236 You bet!

[@johnoerter2883]

Mark, can you show us the Crafter Station?

[@MyGrowthRings]

As soon as we buy a house I’ll be happy to share mine. Scott

[@StephenADraper]

The link to the infomercial no longer works.

[@MyGrowthRings]

That’s disappointing

[@garycrumrine9538]

So, let's go the other way, convert a 510 to a shorty?

[@MyGrowthRings]

That could be interesting.

[@WKYanks]

Was my comment/question deleted?

[@MyGrowthRings]

Not that I’m aware of. Did it contain a link? If so it’s in my spam folder, which I can’t check at the moment.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Dale, I don't see another comment, even in the spam folder.

[@RobertKeeney]

I want to know what he had to say about Roy Underhill.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Well, that’s just it. I was looking for things to edit out and he immediately pivoted into an unrelated story, so I clipped it. I agree that it was abrupt, but that’s all he said about Roy. Scott