Has anyone ever seen a multi-tool “workshop” made by General Electric — probably at least 50 years old?
It has a 1/2 HP motor, is about 4 feet long, and sits on a stand. It combines a lathe (about 2 ft. long), disc sander, grinder, polisher, scroll saw, and mini-table saw (blade about 5″ dia.) It’s sort of like a ShopSmith, but much smaller and perhaps built for a hobbyist or model-maker?
I’d love to find out more about it, when it was made, etc., etc., but no luck so far. Any old tool collectors out there who know what this thing is?
Thanks!
Sue
Replies
They were very common from the 1930's through the 1960's and made by several manufacturers. I never saw one that was much more than a toy. You can search at owwm.com, they might have some information on it. An e-bay search will often times turn up something similar, Google is also worth a try.
John White
Thanks for the info, John.
I agree it looks more like a toy than serious machinery, but my curiosity is now in gear to find out how old it really is... I read somewhere that General Electric closed down their woodworking tools division in 1967, but this thing looks much older than that.
Thanks again,
Sue
I had a customer in a few months ago wanting to sell one. He had the original owners manual(very good condition) as well as the "toy" I believe he said his Grandfather got it in 1938. He called it an original shopsmith ;-) Interesting crafter, maybe.Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Hi Sue
I have one what do you need to know
Buddy
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