Shopsmith Forums

It appears to me, from bstadler's photos, that a "new Mark 7" is simply a Mark V 520 with a PowerPro headstock. Don't get me wrong - that is probably a great improvement over what I have sitting out in the shop. The PowerPro with all of its features is great. But what makes it a Mark 7. Is there a difference between what bstadler has and a Mark V 520 with the PowerPro upgrade kit?

I am just trying to understand the hype about pivoting at both ends. These photos do not show me that that feature even exists on the Mark 7.

dusty wrote:It appears to me, from bstadler's photos, that a "new Mark 7" is simply a Mark V 520 with a PowerPro headstock. Don't get me wrong - that is probably a great improvement over what I have sitting out in the shop. The PowerPro with all of its features is great. But what makes it a Mark 7. Is there a difference between what bstadler has and a Mark V 520 with the PowerPro upgrade kit?

I am just trying to understand the hype about pivoting at both ends. These photos do not show me that that feature even exists on the Mark 7.

Maybe the Beta test unit was a "Beta" model.
Or maybe the new table and end pivots will be the next upgrade?

I still would have liked to have seen them upgrade the original Mark VII with the PowerPro and a metal gear rack. Maybe also a slightly different base for a touch more stability and of course with a variable speed motor the existing built in dust collector would be useless. Maybe a built in DC in the base with its own motor.
Then again you can not operate a company fighting for survival based on what I would have liked to have seen...

robinson46176 wrote:Maybe the Beta test unit was a "Beta" model.
Or maybe the new table and end pivots will be the next upgrade?

I still would have liked to have seen them upgrade the original Mark VII with the PowerPro and a metal gear rack. Maybe also a slightly different base for a touch more stability and of course with a variable speed motor the existing built in dust collector would be useless. Maybe a built in DC in the base with its own motor.
Then again you can not operate a company fighting for survival based on what I would have liked to have seen...

You may well be correct since Shopsmith has never advertised just exactly what a Mark 7 is. In fact, a Mark 7 may simply be a product of the imagination of this forum.

I requested info on the new unit and received the response below. I imagine it will be expensive.


Yes Tony we are coming out with a new unit. It will be the MK7 (not vii).
It should not be too much longer and it will be on our website. It will
feature the new PowerPro headstock and you will be able to route and shape
on it. Also, it will tilt from both ends. Not sure exactly when the info
will be on our website but it should not be too much longer.

Thank you for the photo images of your new Mark 7. It looks like it shall be a real nice machine for you and the PowerPro headstock appears to be all ready to start making sawdust.

If I may impose once again, would you please take a couple pictures (actually 4) to help clear up some confusion about just what a Mark 7 is? Thanks a bunch.

bstadler, These four photos depict the views that I would hope to see. of your Mark 7.

[ATTACH]10469[/ATTACH]
Full Tilt Left
[ATTACH]10470[/ATTACH]
Partial Tilt Right
[ATTACH]10471[/ATTACH]
Base (Right End)
[ATTACH]10472[/ATTACH]
Headrest (Left End)

You could also shed some light by adding a photo looking at the bench ends from the headstock's point of view. From what I see in one of your photos your Mark V or VII has at least some of the features of the new Mark VII. The silver-colored knob between the bench tubes is an example.

thedovetailjoint wrote:You could also shed some light by adding a photo looking at the bench ends from the headstock's point of view. From what I see in one of your photos your Mark V or VII has at least some of the features of the new Mark VII. The silver-colored knob between the bench tubes is an example.

I can't tell whether this is the same or not.

[ATTACH]10476[/ATTACH]

thedovetailjoint wrote:You could also shed some light by adding a photo looking at the bench ends from the headstock's point of view. From what I see in one of your photos your Mark V or VII has at least some of the features of the new Mark VII. The silver-colored knob between the bench tubes is an example.

This un?????????
[ATTACH]10477[/ATTACH]

Yup, that is the one I was referring to. I don't know that they are one in the same but they are both located in the same general area. You refer to a knob and what I have is definitely not a knob; it is part of the headrest lock.