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Mark VII “Project Machine”

shipwright

I ran the Mark VII up this morning in table saw, jointer, and bandsaw modes with no problems except belt tension which was easily fixed. It turns out that the belt tension cam should be tightened counterclockwise (slot on the right as you face it) to best centre the button bearing on the cam.

So far so good.

JPG

Backing up a bit to the cupped washer. I wonder how well the quill LOCK functions?

shipwright

Funny you should mention that! ……

I was running the Mk VII lathe this afternoon and at first the quill kept backing off and releasing the spur. I added a washer borrowed from my 510 and it worked fine. I suspect flipping the cup washer would make it lock without the washer (the 510 does) but I should be looking for that washer anyway.

Drill press and lathe operations both indicated the need for a quill bearing replacement. A 2 1/2” Forstner bit will show you runoff if you have it! I also noticed that the spindle I was turning chattered at the headstock end so I think it is conclusive.

All that said, I have a functioning (80%) Mark VII for so far $100 +$50 for paint.

JPG

Describe the washer you 'borrowed' from the 510. Not the wave washer?

shipwright

#8 in the diagram. Mark VII diagram but the same washer, I’m sure.

JPG

Gotta tell ya about the SS demo guy when I was purchasing my Goldie. In his demonstration he removed the wave washer(#8) and said it is the first thing he discards.

I later surmised the reason for his 'thinking' after using it myself

The washer provides a gradual increasing locking force as the washer compresses. Good feature for setting up. PITA for a demonstrator who likes instant locking.(quicker)

Now about that damn exploded view. I maintain it is wrong.

Consider my earlier pix. Note that IF the washer was installed as show in the exploded view (on the other side of the headstock 'rib' ), the sleeve would have to pass through(not sure it will!) and then press the washer against the side of the quill gear which does not provide any clamping force. Also the sleeve is too short. When locked the outboard end of the sleeve is coplaner with the headstock casting and the wave washer.

shipwright

On my 510 the sleeve (#7) sticks out of the headstock about an eighth and the big wing nut clamps tight on it with or without the washer. On the VII the sleeve is just flush with the headstock and the wingie thingie binds on the headstock first. With the washer it bears on the sleeve and locks.

It’s not a wave washer. It’s flat.

I will revert to your way anyway.

JPG

So you also have an incorrect washer on the 510. I have NEVER encountered a FLAT washer at #8 on the Goldie, 510 nor MVII. Maybe that is a SS Inc stupid substitution.

shipwright

By wavy you mean the thin curved washers that would rock back and forth on a surface, right?

I’ll go and check both the 510 and the Greenie. You have me interested now.

Pix to come.

JPG

Sometimes called a spring washer. I tend to make up my own descriptions.

shipwright

I stand corrected. It is in fact a wavy spring washer, albeit a pretty flat one. The greenie on the other hand has a very interesting one.

….on the left.

JPG

Wonder what is inside?

shipwright

Haven’t had that one apart yet but this looks like the cup washer we were talking about inside, right?

I wonder how many different people have had that headstock apart since 1957. 😂

JPG

At least one I bet.

shipwright

Maybe I’ll find the wave washer inside where the cup washer should be.🤣

JPG

Maybe in the bottom of the motor pan.

shipwright

I wouldn’t rule that out JPG.

Today while waiting for the “new” sheaves to arrive I went back to the cosmetic refresh. This is not a show machine, just a user but it still deserves a cleanup. The bare aluminium parts are just cleaned up with a wire wheel and the rest painted. I’m using black Rustoleum hammered finish as an accent colour to break up all that grey.

I added one pic to show the before condition of basically everything.

JPG

Adjusting the rip fence clamp can be a bit tricky. It needs to be just tight enough. Too tight and it is hard to clamp and put on/off the table as well as increase wear on the handle cam.

All looking good by the way!

P.S. DO back out those off set set screws.

shipwright

Thanks!

The tension was no problem. I haven’t tuned it up for square yet but yes, I know about the intensional offset screws. It will be a bit before it gets full speed because eBay orders from USA to Canada take for ever.

The bearing will be here tomorrow. I got 5 of them so I’ll do all three machines. Do you know if that bearing will fit the #2 bearing spot in the two bearing quill? SS gives a different part number but that doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t work.

JPG

I do not know! I am curious why you ask. Are you considering upgrading the MVII to a two bearing quill???

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