Lift assist for the new Mark 7

mbcabinetmaker · Post by **mbcabinetmaker** » Wed Dec 15, 2010 5:19 pm

Shopsmith has sent an email special on the new new Mark 7. One of the included accessories is the lift assist. How can this work if the machine lifts from both ends? I plan to buy one as soon as I hit the lottery. Well maybe two if I hit the powerball.

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dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Dec 15, 2010 5:45 pm

mbcabinetmaker wrote:Shopsmith has sent an email special on the new new Mark 7. One of the included accessories is the lift assist. How can this work if the machine lifts from both ends? I plan to buy one as soon as I hit the lottery. Well maybe two if I hit the powerball.

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Note too that they say only two storage cabinets can slide underneath. This implies to me that there is NO LIFT ASSIST on the other end. I guess that means we get to chose.

ss50th · Post by **ss50th** » Wed Dec 15, 2010 6:53 pm

I don't have a lift assist. However, doesn't in just bolt on to the tubes. It would just have to be switched from one end to the other?

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Dec 15, 2010 7:00 pm

ss50th wrote:I don't have a lift assist. However, doesn't in just bolt on to the tubes. It would just have to be switched from one end to the other?

That might work but it would be the end of bragging about quick, easy changeovers.

Shopsmith has some design work to do on this "lift assist" idea for the Mark 7.

8iowa · Post by **8iowa** » Wed Dec 15, 2010 7:36 pm

I've also been pondering this same question. It doesn't seem possible for the MK 7 to tilt on both ends with a lift assist installed.

the Power Pro headstock is 17 lbs heavier than the old unit. Tilting the Shopsmith without some type of assist will be just that much harder.

The old type lift assist takes a little more effort with my Power Pro upgrade, but the difference is not too bad.

8iowa · Post by **8iowa** » Wed Dec 15, 2010 9:15 pm

Another tip:

Nick Engler originated this tip to assist lifting the headstock when in vertical position. Most of the time I just "put my shoulder in it" when the headstock needed to be higher. Now with the heavier Power Pro headstock, this little 2T bottle jack is a real back and shoulder saver.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Dec 15, 2010 11:29 pm

This has been discussed in other threads and I believe I am the only one who believes it is possible to function when tilted from either end. Not having one, I have to visualize it without any precise dimensions. The cabinet limitation was there before the Mark 7 'dual tilt'.

Knowing the distances from the hinge to the gas tube attaching points both lowered and raised to the right, would convince me it may be possible(or prove it is not).

I am encouraged by the inclusion of 'Mark 7' in this 'ad'. I just hope it is not another 'band saw table' oversight.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Dec 16, 2010 6:42 am

JPG40504 wrote:This has been discussed in other threads and I believe I am the only one who believes it is possible to function when tilted from either end. Not having one, I have to visualize it without any precise dimensions. The cabinet limitation was there before the Mark 7 'dual tilt'.

Knowing the distances from the hinge to the gas tube attaching points both lowered and raised to the right, would convince me it may be possible(or prove it is not).

I am encouraged by the inclusion of 'Mark 7' in this 'ad'. I just hope it is not another 'band saw table' oversight.

Are you saying that you need to know the length of the gas tube in those two positions?

The gas tube is about 17" long. Fully extended, it cannot be more than 34". The bench tubes are about about 48" (exposed). The fixed point where the gas tube attaches is about 17" from the right end of the Mark V legs.

In other words, if you mounted two lift assists on the same set of bench tubes, the gas tube mounting points would be about 14" apart.

Added Comment: In the advertisement photo of the Mark 7 Lift Assist, it appears that the gas tube is not located between the bench tubes like it is on mine. Maybe some redesign has occurred, other than increasing the capacity of the gas cylinder.

mbcabinetmaker · Post by **mbcabinetmaker** » Thu Dec 16, 2010 6:55 am

However you would have to disable one for the other to work.

mbcabinetmaker · Post by **mbcabinetmaker** » Thu Dec 16, 2010 6:58 am

[quote="dusty

In other words, if you mounted two lift assists on the same set of bench tubes, the gas tube mounting points would be about 14" apart.[/QUOTE"]

However you would have to disable one for the other to work.