Shopsmith Forums

So about a month ago, after rebuilding a number of Mark V's, I ventured into my first Mark VII. I was pretty hesitant after all the bad reviews they get but for $50, I picked it up. First thing I checked was the plastic speed cam which was in great shape and the plastic rack was like new. The previous owner left it on high, so the motor just did the usual hum. I got it home and hand turned the motor down, it worked great. So the rebuild began and it turned out like new. Looking in Craigslist today, there was another one for $80 bucks after some haggling, I took it home for $40. The big surprise was the metal speed cam and the replacement steel rack that cam with it. Also included was a new dado, drill chuck, couplers, sanding disk, saw arbors and three new blades. The vacuum sides were missing and someone replaced the forward reverse and key switch with toggle switches. They also left the motor on high. After hand turning it down it ran great forward but just hummed in reverse. Otherwise this one looks like a newer model but the garage was too dark to do any further investigating until tomorrow.

For anyone wanting to stop by my shop, off I-4 near Tampa, FL, I have a Mark VII frame with lower rails and end caps that was in nice condition when stored that you can have free by helping me find and removing all the parts. I do not want to take them to the salvage yard at this time.

Nice find. She looks super clean.

Great deal. Curious why the vacuum blower etc. is apart. At least you seem to have all the pieces.

Other than the vacuum box sides missing, it's in better shape that the first one I picked up. The way tubes will clean up easy. Hopefully, I can pin point the cause of the motor not being able to run in reverse. I'd like to keep one of the two that I've got to run my SPT's.

I'm not sure JPG. Everything is still there in pieces. The guy I bought it from got it free from a friend. Bad timing on my part, I just over-paid for a spare plastic cam on CL...this one came with the metal cam that I've been looking for, as well as a new one-piece metal gear rack. BTW, I really enjoyed your MKVII break down post. I wish I had taken before and after pictures of my first MKVII rebuild.

r_mack1969 wrote:Other than the vacuum box sides missing, it's in better shape that the first one I picked up. The way tubes will clean up easy. Hopefully, I can pin point the cause of the motor not being able to run in reverse. I'd like to keep one of the two that I've got to run my SPT's.

Do tell how the toggle switches are wired. How many switches?

Of particular interest is how the start winding leads get reversed.(red/red tracer and yellow/black tracer)[AOSmith] or (red/black and orange/purple)[GE].

Does the motor have a start relay? If so different wiring, but colors are the same[AOSmith].

JPG, I took the motor out and discovered a wire off the back of the switch was loose. Plugged it back in and the motor worked great!

As I mentioned before, I found the Mark VII came with a steel speed control. The plastic rack was broken but someone had a steel replacement for it and never put it on. The original key and on/off switch was replaced by switches...

Some more pics...