Shopsmith Forums

[quote="dusty"]However, now that we have a Mark V that pivots at both ends, what are we going to do with it when it is vertical on the left side.

The Main Table, as is, is dysfunctional when vertical on the left side because it will tilt only about 48&#176]

And wouldn't the table end up being too high to comfortably work with even if it could tilt the full 90°?

heathicus wrote:And wouldn't the table end up being too high to comfortably work with even if it could tilt the full 90°?

No, I don't think so. However, I guess this is a variable dependent on the individual. It would not be any higher than the Main Table is when in the drill press mode. I often sit down on a stool to do drill work when I have a lot of repetitive operations.

Well, on second thought, the headstock is now below the table and must contribute to minimum height. I guess you might have a point.

beeg wrote:Still looks like a 500 series powerpro to me.

What do you see that makes you feel that way? Which 500 characteristics are depicted in these pictures?

heathicus wrote:And wouldn't the table end up being too high to comfortably work with even if it could tilt the full 90°?

I would think so... That was part of the beauty of the old Mark VII system. On it you could lower the headstock almost to the floor when in left tilt mode. When in right tilt you can lower the table way down.
It also used cam locks to hold both ends and in place and it pivots on those locks.
As far as a newer machine if I was converting it to tip both ways I would probably just use two pivot ends and make the pivot pins longer and an easy slip in and out proposition. About any kind of simple cam or wedge could keep it from being sloppy when running. Maybe even a screw like the one that holds the unit in the upright position but in a different location just to push any play out of it.
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I'm telling you... An upgraded to PowerPro with a few minor tweaks on some other small things rebuild of the original Mark VII would make an awesome machine...
I might next spring do an upgrade to a PowerPro headstock on one of my Mark VII's instead of my 510 that I was thinking of upgrading. If I do that I might just put the good original Mark VII headstock on the Frankensmith. It currently has a Gilmer greenie headstock on it.

dusty wrote:No, I don't think so. However, I guess this is a variable dependent on the individual. It would not be any higher than the Main Table is when in the drill press mode. I often sit down on a stool to do drill work when I have a lot of repetitive operations.

Well, on second thought, the headstock is now below the table and must contribute to minimum height. I guess you might have a point.

One option for a retrofit would be to put a rack on both sides of the trunion tubes. I know we don't see that in the photos from bstadtler, but in doing so you could flip the table 180 degrees and get the results with minimal retooling.

Yup, you could do that. You could also utilize a second table that has the racks rotated 180° to be used only on the left end.

I'm just waiting, not so patiently, to see how Shopsmith is handling this.
Actually, they have never advertised a Mark 7. One of the forum members (bstadtler), reported that he had ordered and received one and has posted some pictures of it. With that, a number of us have jumped all over it with one speculation after another. Isn't this fun?

I have even done some rough sketches and have developed my own concept of how to make this work. It is a good thing I don't have someone at work relying on me.

Had some time on my hands so I flipped my headstock over (Mark VII-style) and shot a video of my observations. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PfVdyS3Gc4

thedovetailjoint wrote:Had some time on my hands so I flipped my headstock over (Mark VII-style) and shot a video of my observations. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PfVdyS3Gc4

I confess to wondering the possible advantages of left handed headstock rising. I had not realized how high the work table would be. Far too high for this shorty. Thanks for the great video. fjimp

fjimp wrote:I confess to wondering the possible advantages of left handed headstock rising. I had not realized how high the work table would be. Far too high for this shorty. Thanks for the great video. fjimp

Keep in mind that this was done with the carriage in the standard position so that the table would work. If this had actually been the configuration the carriage would have been flipped over, which would put the table a few inches lower. This may not be where everything ends-up on the actual tool that SS is creating.

Also, I don't count two new functions, unless you count a shaper and router as two separate functions. Perhaps this will be a Mark VI?

Scott

For the usual size router table size projects (where you stand in one place) A small raised step, say 18" square and whatever height you want would do nicely.

Paul M