Newsflash! The Shopsmith Mark VII is back!

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 5:42 pm

Today I called SS customer service to inquire after the cost of a new 520 with a PowerPro headstock and was informed that Shopsmith is now accepting orders for the new Shopsmith Mark VII. It is a 520 platform that lifts at both ends to facilitate undertable shaping and routing. The cost, which includes the new PowerPro headstock, is 3899.00 with September delivery. It does not feature an enclosed vacuum system like the old Mark VII. This is terribly exciting news - I could hardly believe my ears. I am going to really consider selling my Goldie (and a bunch of other stuff) in order to facilitate this purchase. What a dream machine! Alec

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 5:54 pm

Sounds like good news. I will also consider a new unit and use my 510 as a mini.

The new power pro will fit on an old mark 7 right? One could just buy an old no 7 and put on a new power Pro ???????

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 6:01 pm

I suspect that is true...

Check out this picture - aren't there TWO pivoting bases?

Shopsmith Mark VII ??

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 6:05 pm

I have been trying to find it but was there not a post a few month back about someone finding a new MarkV design on the U.S. Patent office web site???

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 6:08 pm

Wonder if an upgrade kit will be available to convert your old 510 to the new base.

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 6:08 pm

I believe that was a trademark registry for the name PowerPro. An upgrade kit would be smart!

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 6:50 pm

Easterngray;
It sure does look like there two pivoting brackets on the machine. However, If that is the way it will be made I would wonder how it would be locked in the down position? Also could a lift assist be installed on each end of the machine seeing that the new digital headstock is ten pounds heavier than the old one? I constantly bless the day I got my lift assist!!
Bill V

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 6:55 pm

easterngray wrote:I suspect that is true...

Check out this picture - aren't there TWO pivoting bases?

Shopsmith Mark VII ??

Yes, it does look as though there are two pivoting bases; however, the changes that I see here would not justify that cost figure. There has to be more than meets the eye. Except for your observation, this looks like a 520 with the PowerPro headstock.

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 8:19 pm

Bill - thats a good question - two lift assists would be pretty darn expensive.
Dusty -Given that the current "old style headstock" 520 cost is 2,499.00, the PowerPro & Mark VII upgrade are an additional 1,400 dollars - a bit less than the cost of a stand-alone PowerPro upgrade alone for current Mark V owners.

shipwright · Post by **shipwright** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 8:19 pm

Without the cut-away ends of the Mark VII base the table with the headstock under it will be pretty high, no?

Paul M