In the late 1940s, Watson Machinery, Ltd. made a combination machine similar in concept to the Shopsmith but of different layout.
Information Sources
- 1949-02-02 The Daily Colonist, a newspaper from Victoria, BC: "Attention! Hobby Fans / Demonstration / PM-Bench Boss / The six power tools in one unit \ At our store Thursday, February 3 / During Day With Special Night Session, 7:30 till 9:30 / B. C. Hardware / 724 Fort St."
- From the September 2000 issue of "Yesterday's Tools" (newsletter for the Tool Group of Canada): "Looking for information about Bench Boss, made by Watson Machinery Ltd., Vancouver. The Bench Boss is similar to the Shopsmith in function, that is it is a multiple-purpose machine, with drill press, jig saw, lathe, circular saw, disc sander etc. The layout is unlike the Shopsmith. A motor mounts at right angles to the lathe bed, in the centre, and connects with the different attachments which swing into position."