Mark VII Idler Shaft Variations

ryansm7 · Post by **ryansm7** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 6:24 am

Does anyone know if there are different variations to the bearings in the Mark VII Idler Shaft?

Here is a picture of my idler shaft assembly.

~Ryan

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 11:30 am

ryansm7 wrote:Does anyone know if there are different variations to the bearings in the Mark VII Idler Shaft?

Here is a picture of my idler shaft assembly.

~Ryan

http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/attachment.htm?attachmentid=8600&stc=1&d=1271240497

In any event, consider yourself fortunate to have one that appears to have easily replaceable bearings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ryansm7 · Post by **ryansm7** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 6:00 pm

What makes other idler shafts bearings more difficult to replace?

Sounds like you may have had a bad experience with one....

~Ryan

wannabewoodworker · Post by **wannabewoodworker** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 6:21 pm

Ryan,
That looks identical to my Mark VII and the bearings on mine were a snap to replace. They were the same size as the quill bearing if memory serves me.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 8:49 pm

ryansm7 wrote:What makes other idler shafts bearings more difficult to replace?

Sounds like you may have had a bad experience with one....

~Ryan

No 'bad experience', just 'not possible'. Special modified water pump bearing/shaft only available from ss!!! Situation exists on the mark 5/v idler bearing/shaft and the lower bandsaw bearing/shaft.

ryansm7 · Post by **ryansm7** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 9:14 pm

JPG40504 wrote:No 'bad experience', just 'not possible'. Special modified water pump bearing/shaft only available from ss!!! Situation exists on the mark 5/v idler bearing/shaft and the lower bandsaw bearing/shaft.

I just checked the ss web page: http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... r_note.htm

Is the "old" or "new" idler shaft (pictured) the "Special modified water pump bearing/shaft"?

Thanks

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 9:19 pm

ryansm7 wrote:I just checked the ss web page: http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/idler_note.htm

Is the "old" or "new" idler shaft (pictured) the "Special modified water pump bearing/shaft"?

Thanks

PTL!!!!! WE are 'saved'! The 'old' one is the waterpump variety!

How long has the 'new' one been around?????

And there's that screw discussed last week elsewhere!

ryansm7 · Post by **ryansm7** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 9:49 pm

JPG40504 wrote:PTL!!!!! WE are 'saved'! The 'old' one is the waterpump variety!

How long has the 'new' one been around?????

And there's that screw discussed last week elsewhere!

[INDENT][INDENT]
"PTL"... well, I'll hold off on calling Jimmy Baker for now ](if I did help)[/SIZE]...

Anymore thoughts on the variations of bearings in the Mark VII Idler Shaft?[/INDENT][/INDENT]

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 10:10 pm

I find it interesting that the 'new' Mark V idler shaft is designed the same as the 45+ year old Mark VII design and very similar to the 60+ year old Model 10 main shaft design. The water pump bearing was 'clever', but a maintenance booger-bear! Methinks the procurement cost of the original Mark 5/v design got too high!

billmayo · Post by **billmayo** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 10:46 pm

ryansm7 wrote:I just checked the ss web page: http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... r_note.htm

Is the "old" or "new" idler shaft (pictured) the "Special modified water pump bearing/shaft"?

Thanks

Thanks for the new Idler Shaft reference. I had not viewed that yet. The latest headstock I have disassembled was a 2006 and it had the old water pump design. I have been buying the new eccentric bushing from Shopsmith for around 3 years now and really like to use it on any Mark V headstock.