Mark VII Rip Fence Breakdown

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The Mark VII rip fence is a hybrid between the Mark 5 and a 510. A single lever clamp handle operates a rod that actuates both the front and rear clamps that are spring loaded to the open position.

The elongated nut and jam nut are similar to a 510. The Mark 5 had a barrel nut behind the clamp. This adds an adjustment that the Mark 5 did not have.

rear clamp.jpg (426.61 KiB) Viewed 2070 times

The spring opens the clamp when released. IMHO, a washer is missing between the spring and the clamp. The manual says not.

rear clamp loose.jpg (484.84 KiB) Viewed 2080 times

Once the nuts are removed, the control rod is free to slide towards the front. Make sure the spring 'behaves'.

rear clamp hdwre.jpg (412.91 KiB) Viewed 2073 times

When I removed the spacer nylon another steel one 'appeared'. I assume a po lost it in thar!:D

rear clamp 2.jpg (462.14 KiB) Viewed 2075 times

The clamp pivots on and is retained by a tension pin like the Mark 5.

rear clamp out.jpg (307.26 KiB) Viewed 2072 times

This thread is linked to from https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=11373

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Moving on to the front clamp.

This is identical to a Mark 5.

front clamp 1.jpg (468.14 KiB) Viewed 2069 times

This however is not. I think I found a second washer for the rear clamp spring.

front clamp 2.jpg (446.09 KiB) Viewed 2063 times

I believe there should be only two washers here. Also notice there is a washer between the spacer and the front clamp. The spacer and that washer are hidden from view when assembled.

front clamp hdwre.jpg (447.59 KiB) Viewed 2062 times

I next removed the front casting. The rear screw is longer than the front screw. It is Mark 5 'sized' but has a second biasing screw hole and is identical to the band saw fence casting(original single clamp version). More about biasing screws below!

front casting off.jpg (428.32 KiB) Viewed 2061 times

The front clamp also pivots and is retained by a tension pin.

front clamp out.jpg (432.92 KiB) Viewed 2064 times

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Wrapping up.

As noted above the front clamp casting has two bias screw tapped holes.

front casting bias screws.jpg (353.3 KiB) Viewed 2056 times

An illustration of why I get resonant regarding the improper use of these screws(to align the fence to the blade/miter gauge slot etc.) Obviously a po used the right screw as a 'permanent' alignment setting. This is a pix of the main table front rail. Fortunately that surface is not affecting 'normal' clamping/alignment.

rail damage.jpg (514.88 KiB) Viewed 2060 times

A brief departure to notice fence design changes(and a return to a original design detail).

The Mark VII fence has tapped holes(5/16-18) for jig attaching. The Mark 5 fence(lower in pix) are 1/4" through holes(slightly over sized). Notice the locations differ.

fences 1.jpg (467.41 KiB) Viewed 2062 times

Adding a 510 fence in the bottom of the pix shows the original jig mounting holes are returned to their location relative to the arbor and are again through holes(not tapped).

fences 2.jpg (318.88 KiB) Viewed 2058 times

Finally there is the set screw for the mortising hold down post etc. Actually I took it out before the last two pix.

set screw.jpg (399.82 KiB) Viewed 2058 times