The Mark VII two-top side table is a nice feature upgrade in that you can use it on the end, as you would on a Mark V, or attach it directly to the main table for cuts up to 14" wide. This cool idea is almost entirely defeated in design, however, because the front clamp on the Mark VII table fence is too wide for the stock side-table rail. Who let that out into the world, I wonder?
Anyhow, today I got around to cutting a longer rail, using the front rail from the spare main table from my parts machine. In the photo I have the original part on the table and the new one installed. Note the width of the fence bracket relative to the rail.
This seems like a necessary fix, but I wonder whether there is a better idea in circulation. I'll have to make another one for the other orientation, of course, but I can put that on the spare side table.
Mark VII side table fix
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Re: Mark VII side table fix
Mine seems to work fine. Yes the rail is short but my rip fence clamp locks onto the chamfer on the bottom of the rail. I haven't got a dial indicator out but rips square and true enough for me.
SS Mark VII(sn 405025), SSband saw, SS 4" jointer, Older SS Mark V w/DC treadmill motor,
Smithy SuperShop 720, Powerkraft RAS,Craftsman RAS, Ridgid TS2412 Table Saw,
Delta 12" planer
Smithy SuperShop 720, Powerkraft RAS,Craftsman RAS, Ridgid TS2412 Table Saw,
Delta 12" planer
- JPG
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- Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:42 pm
- Location: Lexington, Ky (TAMECAT territory)
Re: Mark VII side table fix
The reason for the shortness of the two rails is two fold. First they will interfere with each other and the fence casting would hit the opposite rail. Second the rail is only as wide as the open area of the underside of the table. You had to notch the wider rail. Your modification will only work for one orientation.
The 'shortness' is very intentional.
The 'shortness' is very intentional.
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
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- Gold Member
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2019 11:21 am
- Location: Prescott AZ
Re: Mark VII side table fix
The rail casting is wider than the stock rail; best case, the alignment screws both fall outside that length, so can't do anything useful; there's also no way to bridge to the main-table rail. No one else sees this as a problem?
- JPG
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- Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:42 pm
- Location: Lexington, Ky (TAMECAT territory)
Re: Mark VII side table fix
Them screws are NOT for alignment. They are there to intentionally skew the fence to quill shaft angle from 90°. They are best either backed out far away from the rail or removed completely.
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
╟JPG ╢
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
Re: Mark VII side table fix
Yes, the fence clamp rails are slightly different in size. I don't try to bridge the rails with the fence. I have it on the main table or on the extention table.
SS Mark VII(sn 405025), SSband saw, SS 4" jointer, Older SS Mark V w/DC treadmill motor,
Smithy SuperShop 720, Powerkraft RAS,Craftsman RAS, Ridgid TS2412 Table Saw,
Delta 12" planer
Smithy SuperShop 720, Powerkraft RAS,Craftsman RAS, Ridgid TS2412 Table Saw,
Delta 12" planer
- JPG
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 34642
- Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:42 pm
- Location: Lexington, Ky (TAMECAT territory)
Re: Mark VII side table fix
Since there is a narrow range where bridging the tables is deemed necessary but not possible due to slight rail dimensional deviations etc. the second blade slot exists. That allows ripping within that restricted width range. A common attribute shared with the Mark 5 model as well especially the greenies and early goldies which have a cast in front rail on the main table and both those and later Mark 5 all had the cast in aux rail. The Mark VII has the extruded aluminum rails on both tables
I think it should be possible to get main/aux table bridging possible with a Mark VII, but that would require perfect persnickety alignment adjustments. i.e. Likely elusive.
I think it should be possible to get main/aux table bridging possible with a Mark VII, but that would require perfect persnickety alignment adjustments. i.e. Likely elusive.
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
╟JPG ╢
╚═══╝
Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange