What's the Deal on the original Mark VII 's Any good?

paulsgreenbarn · Post by **paulsgreenbarn** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 3:05 pm

I've seen a few for sale.What's the deal with them?Are they a poor overall design?

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 3:19 pm

The design isn't poor per-say. It's the lack of parts availability.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 3:28 pm

A few not so good things, and many good things.

First the really bad:

The plastic(nylon) speed control cam melts if the control sheave hub bearing gets hot.

The plastic(nylon) gear rack on the backside of the front way tube can dry out and break, or get worn down.

The power switch tends to wear out(a ge stove design).

If all these things are still intact(or a proper work around) they can be a good option.

Now the sorta bad:

A lot of unique parts(different from Mark 5/V/7) that are not available from SS.

And finally the good:

Many design features of the later models originated with the Mark VII.

Not all are earth shakers, but, have been incorporated into the 505-520 models.

The carriage clamp is a flip handle.

The table height is crank operated.

The main worktable is larger than the 5/V, but smaller than the 505-510.

However the extension table is attachable to the main table so as to increase it's width.

The table/headstock spacing is tightly controlled and can also connect the two so as to move together.

The backside of the smaller sanding disk is 'conical'. The smaller size allows using the disk 'in the table insert'.

The motor is 'reversable'.

And then there is the double tilt thing(under table rout/shaping).

I am in the process of bringing one back on line.

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=11984

Like location, location, location;
Condition, condition, condition.

CAM, RACK, SWITCH, RUNS, All parts are there.

paulsgreenbarn · Post by **paulsgreenbarn** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 3:28 pm

Ok thanks,the one pictured sure looks in good condition.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 3:32 pm

paulsgreenbarn wrote:Ok thanks,the one pictured sure looks in good condition.

I agree and it has an extra table/carriage to boot!

I need to mention that the gear rack can be worked around. It then becomes like a Mark 5/V/7(shove to move it!:D).

I think it is missing the casters though.

Gonna go back and take a closer look!

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 3:39 pm

It is missing the 'vacuum' blower housing etc.

It didn't work very well anyway. 3450 rpm is not very fast for a vac blower.

However the design was near the same as the present DC3300.

Now that fence is a definite ++++++++++++++++++++++.(the gold colored one!:D)

paulsgreenbarn · Post by **paulsgreenbarn** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 4:36 pm

If anyone is interested I found it on the Hartford,Ct. CL
http://hartford.craigslist.org/tls/4333266029.html

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 11:15 pm

That looks like original paint. Good condition indeed(assuming the speed control is in as good condition as the rest).

billmayo · Post by **billmayo** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:24 am

I have extra caster assemblies, lift rods and a nice set of bench tubes for the original Mark VII available. I am not going to rebuild the Mark VII frame that I have had for many years that I was going to put a Mark V reversible motor headstock on. I do plan to use the Mark VII carriage and main and extension table on one of my Mark Vs with a reversible motor. I still have a set of modified base arms left over so I could do another double tilt upgrade on this Mark V like ones I use to sell if time lets me get to it.

jayp413 · Post by **jayp413** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 7:18 pm

I had e-mailed him. He said it is a repaint, the vacuum has been removed and the speed changer has been replaced with a standard mark 5 speed changer. I didn't know you could do that!