In the fall, Clint and I found a Shopsmith in a local thrift store with all of its original paperwork and many parts. It also had several years' worth of woodworking magazines neatly contained in three ring binders. I checked online and learned the Shopsmith's price was below the current market value.
We immediately texted Caleb, who had just clocked out of his second job, and let him know. He wanted us to hold it until he could get there and look it over. We asked the store manager if she would hold it until he arrived in an hour explaining he was a young man acquiring woodworking tools. She smiled, pulled the tag off of it, and told us we had an hour. During that time period, four different men came to look at it!
Caleb arrived, looked it over, and stated he wanted it. He had already gone to the bank and withdrew the money to pay for it. The store was having a 20% off clearance on furniture and had included the Shopsmith in it because it was taking up so much room. Then, we found a 10% off promotional flyer by the door. We ended up paying half of the final cost and calling it an early Christmas present. Caleb paid the other half.
As we were taking it apart to load into our trucks, a fifth man came to us and told Caleb he would have purchased it if Caleb didn't. He told Caleb he had a very nice tool and explained some of the things it could do. Then, he wished him the best in his future as a woodworker.
Caleb's been enjoying it ever since! He just purchased a refurbished lathe chuck for it. This holds the wood in the lathe while it turns. I am looking forward to seeing what he makes next.
