Shopsmith Forums

I am tuning up an old Mark 7 and have everything except two items that I'd like to find with the help of the SS community:
1. I'd like to replace the missing plastic gear rack that was attached to the front way tube. Does anyone know if I can order one from McMaster, and what the pitch, face width and depth would be? Or, do you know of a machine shop that might make one out of aluminum?
2. The tailstock holder didn't have the eccentric cup holder on it. I bought a used Mark V one on ebay, but it doesn't seem to have a taper (e.g. #2 morse) on it and is straight all the way through. Is that normal for these units, or should the eccentric cup holder have a taper to it? Can I use a live center with it, and if so, what type.model?
Thanks for the support!
Trent

I don't have an answer for you on the rack on the Mark VII, but the eccentric for the Mark V and the VII are the same and should have a #2 Morse Taper. I expect what you bought actually has the #2 taper, but it is hard to determine over such a short distance. Also, the Mark V tailstock itself will fit the Mark VII. It merely has a different shape.

Here is the Shopsmith live center -- http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/item ... tem=505602
They're a bit pricey, but you can also look for a used one on e-bay. Other #2 Morse Taper live centers will fit the eccentric, but for woodworking you want one with a cup center like the Shopsmith. Those with a simple point on the end are better suited for metal working, although they do fit a pen mandrel better than the Shopsmith center.

Look at #3 on this posting. A lot of the things listed have been sold but what you want is available. https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=10607

I need to go back in and edit this and will sometime next week - maybe.

PM me and I'll send pictures directly to you.

I looked through your listing of parts but didn't specifically see the plastic gear rack that was attached to the front way tube. Do you have that as a separate item for sale?
Thanks for the information!
Trent

instepflooring wrote:I looked through your listing of parts but didn't specifically see the plastic gear rack that was attached to the front way tube. Do you have that as a separate item for sale?
Thanks for the information!
Trent

I'm sure I do as I disassembled the entire machine and that doesn't describe anything I have sold. I'm not sure what the "plastic gear rack" is that you need. Can you send me a picture. Just PM me and I'll reply with a picture of what I have.

Just realized what you wanted. These can't be removed without breaking them. I can ship you the waytube with the rack for $15 plus shipping. I really miss this feature on my 510. It is great for micro adjustments, when I needed to just take off a bit more. Too bad SS didn't include this on the Mark V when they came back in business.

Send me a private message with your email and zip code and I'll send photos and do some research on what shipping costs would be - UPS, FedEx or LTL freight (Less Than Truckload where they accept individual packages and you have to pick up at their freight dock. This often is the cheapest way but can take longer.

As a caution if you get this. You cannot use anything other than a regular V Belt on the drive shaft. Some people like the Top Cog belts but they will destroy this rack.