Shopsmith Forums

Finally had a little time today. It's raining, and that's always a good excuse for shop time. Here's what I'm finding in my "new" Mark VII.

Took a nylon brush and my air hose and cleaned the inside of the headstock/motor pan. There really wasn't that much sawdust inside the unit. I don't think this is from lack of use so much as the previous owner (and his wife) being pretty meticulous about cleaning.
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However, closer inspection shows that the insulation on the power cord is bad. In fact, I was going to just wrap the exposed wire with electrical tape but the insulation was crumbling off in my hand. So, the unit gets a new power cord.
[ATTACH]17136[/ATTACH]

Not only does the speed changing cam have a significant chunk missing, the offset from the pin that rides in it to change speeds is so bad it barely is holding on the far side.
[ATTACH]17137[/ATTACH]

So my question is whether or not this can be moved/adjusted. It looks to me like this is the setscrew that would accomplish that.
[ATTACH]17138[/ATTACH]

fiatben wrote:Finally had a little time today. It's raining, and that's always a good excuse for shop time. Here's what I'm finding in my "new" Mark VII.

Took a nylon brush and my air hose and cleaned the inside of the headstock/motor pan. There really wasn't that much sawdust inside the unit. I don't think this is from lack of use so much as the previous owner (and his wife) being pretty meticulous about cleaning.
[ATTACH]17134[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]17135[/ATTACH]

However, closer inspection shows that the insulation on the power cord is bad. In fact, I was going to just wrap the exposed wire with electrical tape but the insulation was crumbling off in my hand. So, the unit gets a new power cord.
[ATTACH]17136[/ATTACH]

Not only does the speed changing cam have a significant chunk missing, the offset from the pin that rides in it to change speeds is so bad it barely is holding on the far side.
[ATTACH]17137[/ATTACH]

So my question is whether or not this can be moved/adjusted. It looks to me like this is the setscrew that would accomplish that.
[ATTACH]17138[/ATTACH]

It's not a setscrew, it's a rollpin that is driven thru the shaft and speed cam

fiatben wrote:Finally had a little time today. It's raining, and that's always a good excuse for shop time. Here's what I'm finding in my "new" Mark VII.

Took a nylon brush and my air hose and cleaned the inside of the headstock/motor pan. There really wasn't that much sawdust inside the unit. I don't think this is from lack of use so much as the previous owner (and his wife) being pretty meticulous about cleaning.
[ATTACH]17134[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]17135[/ATTACH]

However, closer inspection shows that the insulation on the power cord is bad. In fact, I was going to just wrap the exposed wire with electrical tape but the insulation was crumbling off in my hand. So, the unit gets a new power cord.
[ATTACH]17136[/ATTACH]

Not only does the speed changing cam have a significant chunk missing, the offset from the pin that rides in it to change speeds is so bad it barely is holding on the far side.
[ATTACH]17137[/ATTACH]

So my question is whether or not this can be moved/adjusted. It looks to me like this is the setscrew that would accomplish that.
[ATTACH]17138[/ATTACH]

If you turn the eccenctric to the opposite side to tighten the belt, that may shift the idler shaft over, that's one of those things you'll just have to try and see if it moves it far enough.

gchapman wrote:If you turn the eccenctric to the opposite side to tighten the belt, that may shift the idler shaft over, that's one of those things you'll just have to try and see if it moves it far enough.

Good idea. I'm pretty open to any suggestions as this is all new territory for me.

Started cleaning the way tubes today, keeping it simple with some scotchbrite and JPW for a lubricant. Not even thinking about making them "shiny new", just nicely functional again.

I lubed up the quill rack, the sheaves and rack worm gear with spray silicone. Oiled the two shafts with oil holes. Yesterday I dressed the belts with spray belt dressing. Interestingly, the upper belt is stamped "Magna America" so I'm guessing it is the original belt. It does have a bit of a set to it from having not ran in years, but I think that will work itself out.

JPW on the quill and it's running in and out really smoothly. Trying to clean off surface rust where I can.

This is a bit different:
[ATTACH]17139[/ATTACH]
and I don't understand the purpose behind the threaded shaft with a flat.

Anyway, tomorrow I'll buy a new power cord because that is standing between me and starting to put the headstock back together. I need a running machine and I need the floor space. Then I need to figure out what the heck I'm gonna do with this third Shopsmith....

That threaded shaft appears to be a standard feature. You can see the same on this one that I looked at here in NS.
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Or at least you can when you blow it up:
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I came onto this form looking for information but may be able to provide some. I have a Mk VII, purchased in '97 with lots of stuff including the band saw for less than a million dollars. (Everyone brags about a great purchase, so I got a good deal). I recently had to replace the V belt and this forum helped in identifying the best one (30" OD Dayco Top Cog 17300). I ran this little used but old machine for 15 years and replaced only the quill bearings (from the same source in Anaheim). Now it runs so much better and quieter.

fiatben wrote:Yeah, I've got a parts manual (how else did U think I knew all those numbers?) and an owner's manual (which I'm trying to read thru between things).

Any way you could scan that owner's manual and make it available. When I got my MkVII in '97 I couldn't get a manual so I bought one for the Mk V so I could have a reference on some things to pay attention to.

db5 wrote:Any way you could scan that owner's manual and make it available. When I got my MkVII in '97 I couldn't get a manual so I bought one for the Mk V so I could have a reference on some things to pay attention to.

Sure. See pm. Anyone else want one?

fiatben wrote:Sure. See pm. Anyone else want one?

YES!







Guess who did not read to the end of the thread b4 sending a PM!:o

OK, so I'll scan the owners manual and parts manual and send them out as soon as I can find time.

Meanwhile, I did get to do a couple of things yesterday.

It wasn't rolling very well, so I flipped it over and discovered this:
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Easy enough to fix with a couple of #10 bolts.

However, this other little caster problem is not so easy. Haven't looked to see if a replacement part is available. Just gonna have to live with it for now.
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Then there are the irritating little challenges like this, purely cosmetic but would be nice to fix.
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And then there's the joy of discovery. While putting things back together I noticed this feature of the main table. This is really cool and seems like a really good idea. Now I have to go back and read what to use it for.
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I've made a few decisions (subject to changing my mind this winter when I have more time.) This is not a restoration, just a minor revival. I've checked things out, replaced the crumbling power cord, cleaned & lubed, and put it back together. It aint pretty, but it's functional.
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Now, what do I do with it? I really like the reverse feature and the double tilt. For now I'm thinking dedicating it primarily to lathe usage. It can do it's shaper thing on occasion since I have the fence and insert (but no hardware). Any thoughts (bearing in mind I have the 500 and 510 for other functions)?