Shopsmith Forums

I was nervous about the wheel upgrade due to concerns mentioned here, yet ordered it anyhow. I just completed the install and the same time I upgraded from Mark V to Mark 7. I still have a bit of adjusting and tightening to do for Mark 7 upgrade but need to say I am truly impressed with the wheel upgrade. The templates were perfect. The wheels have sufficient clearance and roll nicely. They move up and down perfectly. I have been wondering why some folks had issues with the templates and only wonder if they turned the machine upside down before using them. If not they could be beastly to use from my point of view. I for one love them and will be ordering a set for my other Mark V. In fact my brother and his kids helped me with the whole process. Now my brother is ordering the upgrade as well. Fjimp

fjimp wrote:I was nervous about the wheel upgrade due to concerns mentioned here, yet ordered it anyhow. I just completed the install and the same time I upgraded from Mark V to Mark 7. I still have a bit of adjusting and tightening to do for Mark 7 upgrade but need to say I am truly impressed with the wheel upgrade. The templates were perfect. The wheels have sufficient clearance and roll nicely. They move up and down perfectly. I have been wondering why some folks had issues with the templates and only wonder if they turned the machine upside down before using them. If not they could be beastly to use from my point of view. I for one love them and will be ordering a set for my other Mark V. In fact my brother and his kids helped me with the whole process. Now my brother is ordering the upgrade as well. Fjimp

Details please. ????

JPG40504 wrote:Details please. ????

I make no pretense of knowing which details may be desired. Here goes with those that enter this old guys feeble mind. First time I looked at the templates, I felt someone had lost their mind. Those suckers are upside down. Then I read the instructions and realized the recommendation includes turning the Mark V upside down to install. Which because I was installing the Mark 7 upgrade at the same time made perfect sense. With the templates turned to match front/back and the appropriate end as indicated and lining up the existing holes (again as suggested) it was very simple to mark the new holes, center punch and drill. Once all eight holes were drilled and the burrs removed, everything fit together perfectly. As I looked at the wheels I was a bit concerned if they would extend past the feet enough to roll smoothly. The kids turned the shopsmith right side up and bingo, it was literally ready to roll. Once the wheels were placed in the highest setting there is no way to move the tool without scraping the floor (oh how I hate that sound). One additional point, there is no wheel movement in the first setting when lowering the wheels. In the second or most extreme setting they roll far better than the former wheels. Yes I am ordering another set. I hope this helps, this guy is folding the tent and heading to the warmest part of my home. Fjimp

fjimp wrote:I make no pretense of knowing which details may be desired. Here goes with those that enter this old guys feeble mind. First time I looked at the templates, I felt someone had lost their mind. Those suckers are upside down. Then I read the instructions and realized the recommendation includes turning the Mark V upside down to install. Which because I was installing the Mark 7 upgrade at the same time made perfect sense. With the templates turned to match front/back and the appropriate end as indicated and lining up the existing holes (again as suggested) it was very simple to mark the new holes, center punch and drill. Once all eight holes were drilled and the burrs removed, everything fit together perfectly. As I looked at the wheels I was a bit concerned if they would extend past the feet enough to roll smoothly. The kids turned the shopsmith right side up and bingo, it was literally ready to roll. Once the wheels were placed in the highest setting there is no way to move the tool without scraping the floor (oh how I hate that sound). One additional point, there is no wheel movement in the first setting when lowering the wheels. In the second or most extreme setting they roll far better than the former wheels. Yes I am ordering another set. I hope this helps, this guy is folding the tent and heading to the warmest part of my home. Fjimp

'Details' Nailed it! Thanks.

The lack of 'movement' in 'first down' position is the 'issue' previously berated.

Initially(original castors) the first down position raised the legs slightly off the floor.

It is amazing how much easier it moves with the larger casters.

I just finished adding the PowerPro, Dual Tilt (more on them soon in other threads) and caster upgrades. Putting on the new casters took about an hour, and went pretty smoothly. And it is SOooo much easier to move the Mark V around now. It used to be that I didn't ever bother to retract the wheels, because it pretty much stayed put anyway. Now, if I don't retract them, I'll be chasing the machine around the shop.

The instructions have you get help to turn the Mark V upside-down, but (1) I didn't have a helper handy and (2) I happened to have a toolchest that was just the right height to roll under the bottom way tubes, lifting the legs off the floor so I could remove them. (I moved the headstock to one end, lifted the other end, rolled the chest under, then moved the headstock over the chest.)

It would have been nice if they'd designed it with reasonable-sized casters in the first place, but this may be the most bang for the buck I've ever gotten from Shopsmith.

Footnote (appropriately named): The first time I went to retract the new casters, I found that the wheels are so big that the lever couldn't be operated by foot anymore, except when extending the casters. It's a tradeoff I can accept.

k8tp wrote:I just finished adding the PowerPro, Dual Tilt (more on them soon in other threads) and caster upgrades. Putting on the new casters took about an hour, and went pretty smoothly. And it is SOooo much easier to move the Mark V around now. It used to be that I didn't ever bother to retract the wheels, because it pretty much stayed put anyway. Now, if I don't retract them, I'll be chasing the machine around the shop.

The instructions have you get help to turn the Mark V upside-down, but (1) I didn't have a helper handy and (2) I happened to have a toolchest that was just the right height to roll under the bottom way tubes, lifting the legs off the floor so I could remove them. (I moved the headstock to one end, lifted the other end, rolled the chest under, then moved the headstock over the chest.)

It would have been nice if they'd designed it with reasonable-sized casters in the first place, but this may be the most bang for the buck I've ever gotten from Shopsmith.

How far off the floor are the legs in the two raised positions?

turn it upside down this way and you won't need a helper.
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Bill V

wa2crk wrote:turn it upside down this way and you won't need a helper.
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Bill V

You can do that single-handed?

k8tp wrote:You can do that single-handed?

Yes, works very well.

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robinson46176 wrote:Yes, works very well.

.

Even with one arm tied behind yer back!(balance is important:D)













Actually much easier with two hands!;)