Mark VII - A Plea to/from the Community

[steveogden]

So, it sounds like there's an exciting new model!.. ...Mark WHAT?!! VII?
Why would this great company name a new model with the same name as a older model?!, the Mark VII, (made in 1960 by Magna Corporation.) Why especially name it after this one that is considered the misfit of ShopSmiths. Can't it at least be the Mark7 Deluxe, or Mark7XT, or why not Mark 11?!

I imagine it's too late for a rename, but here's why it's not just a marketing problem, but a HUGE problem for us Mark VII (Magna) owners. First off, it's already pretty hard to find information and parts for the Mark VII (although so far, all the parts I've needed WERE Mark V compatible or adaptable, contrary to popular belief that it's a a totally different beast). With the NEW Mark VII parts and info coming available, it will be a nightmare to try to search for/find anything related to our Mark VII (Magna)'s. No doubt your customer service is going to have field day with this one too.

I hope the SS Company and the SS Community will at least consider this issue, and here are three possible that could help, I hope others will expand on this.

1: If it's not too late can the company please add a letter SOMETHING to the new model, at least in documentation an online. (i kinda doubt this)

2: Can SS company and community agree to a suffix to distinguish the older model in fourms, classifieds, discussion, anything... Mark VII Magna, or Proto Mark VII. (but not "Older Mark VII" as its a relative term). It would even be possible to automatically suffix all Mark VII comments to posts prior to the new model in the forums using a find/replace script.

3: Can SS devote expand the existing blurb on the ss.com website to further recognizing the existence of the Mark VII Magna. There used to be a "list of V/VII cross compatible parts" (incomplete IMO), that I can't even find anymore. it would at least help to have it there.

4: Can shopsmith.net start post an FAQ List that MarkVII Magna owners develop together, that outlines some of the common Mark VII specific issues (cam, headstock/rails, compatible parts, etc.

As a fairly new owner, I love my Mark VII (Magna), and hope this confusion doesn't become so much of a problem that I can't maintain her, as I certainly can't afford a new one, and I imagine I would have quite a grudge at that point anyway.

Thanks for listening. : )

[JPG]

Last I knew, they were referring to the 'new' model as a Mark 7, not Mark VII.

BTW look at YOUR Mark VII and see if you 'discover' a 'Mark 7' 'label':D

I believe they have already made a distinction between them!

P.S. There is a world of folks out there(including ss 'literature') that do not acknowledge that there are Mark 5's and use the Mark V model designation indiscriminately. Same for '500' designation although a Mark V 500 IS essentially the same as a Mark 5 from different predecessor manufacturers.

[dusty]

steve, I believe Shopsmith (shopsmith. com or shopsmith.net) could publish information about the Mark VII but I would not hold my breathe. Why? Because the Mark VII is not a Shopsmith item and what they would publish might not be backed by historical documentation - it would be "hear-say".

If you visit http://www.shopsmith.com and click on Mark 7 / Mark V you will find a lot of reading about the PowerPro and the Mark 7.

[robinson46176]

Last I knew, they were referring to the 'new' model as a Mark 7, not Mark VII.

BTW look at YOUR Mark VII and see if you 'discover' a 'Mark 7' 'label':D

I believe they have already made a distinction between them!

My Mark VII's are clearly marked both ways.
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[ddvann79]

Steve,

That's the first thing I thought of when I found out about the new Shopsmith Inc. Mark VII. "This isn't a Mark VII. Magna made that in the 60's." I knew they were creating a nightmare for Magna VII/7 owners for finding spare parts. But I agree with Dusty; it's not SS's baby so they don't have an incentive to post info on the Magna VII/7. They could have have been more considerate, though!

Sorry for your headache.

[damagi]

well, the problem is that magna counted operations differently than how shopsmith counts them today. The magna Mark VII counted the vacuum as an operation, while the current shopsmith mark 7 counts the router as the 7th operation.

[rfr58]

the new kids they got working probably don't remember that far back.
honda did the same thing with a silverwing.
don't try to figure out big companies.

[damagi]

the new kids they got working probably don't remember that far back.
honda did the same thing with a silverwing.
don't try to figure out big companies.

I am quite certain that shopsmith no longer qualifies as a "big company". Its great that they still exist at this point.

[JPG]

the new kids they got working probably don't remember that far back.
honda did the same thing with a silverwing.
don't try to figure out big companies.

I am sure the folks in CS will be delighted to hear they are 'new kids'. They have been there a long time!

[dusty]

I am sure the folks in CS will be delighted to hear they are 'new kids'. They have been there a long time!

For your sake, JPG, I hope the ladies in CS never read what you have just written and highlighted .