Shopsmith Forums

I've been looking for a mark V for quite some time. I stumbled across a CL ad for a Mark VII but the seller claims that some key stuff is missing. There's quite a bit there in the three pics though. Can anyone help me out and persuade or dissuade me from buying it based on the information available? Thoughts?

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/for/5820104160.html

I am not real familiar with them, the price seems okay with the belt sander.
BUT I think there have a weak point, and that is in there speed changing mechanism, I am not sure, but soon some of the real pros here will chime in.

That Mark VII frame has a Mark V 'C' Series Headstock Mounted on it in the picture. Belt sander is worth $100 or so by itself, but it is missing the table assembly in the photo.

It is not the Mark VII headstock in the photo. The ad itself is 2 months old, so it may not be there, and the ad was just not removed.

If it is available after two months on CL, I would offer them less than the asking price, to help defray missing parts etc.

You still don't know the condition of the Mark V headstock. You need a hands-on look. Review http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/viewt ... 90#p185690 and download the PDF which will help you determine a good bit of the condition.

Everett

I would be patient and just pass on that. Kind of a cobbled together unit IMO. You don't say where you are and if you did it may help us find something for you. There are a lot of very good used units out there. You just need to find one.

JMHO

Thanks for the replies. I live in central Illinois, near Springfield. I don't currently have many power tools, so the idea of having a Mark V appeals to me. I recently upgraded homes and now have the luxury of a 2nd garage for projects. I appreciate the advice. I think I'll pass on this one given the frankenstein nature of the unit.

Yes it is a frankensmith.

That is not necessarily bad.

Some of the good features of the Mark VII are still there.

All the bad features are not there.

It will not do all a Mark VII will but will do all a Mark 5/V will and more due to the Mark VII differences.

Double tilt is not practical unless the headstock is modified to run bi-directionally.

I think $200 is a good price, especially with the partial belt sander.

The decision is yours.

JPG wrote:Yes it is a frankensmith.

That is not necessarily bad.

Some of the good features of the Mark VII are still there.

All the bad features are not there.

It will not do all a Mark VII will but will do all a Mark 5/V will and more due to the Mark VII differences.

Double tilt is not practical unless the headstock is modified to run bi-directionally.

I think $200 is a good price, especially with the partial belt sander.

The decision is yours.

Could you tell me what the limitations are of what is missing? I'm not overly familiar with terminology. When he states what is missing, for instance, I was worried the functional level would be below that of a 5. And what would it take to complete the sander?

It sounds like it is missing the drill chuck, lathe tools and lathe centers. All are readily available from ShopSmith.

The belt sander appears to be missing it's table. Available from SS, but they appear on E-bay at times.

Other than the items just mentioned, it otherwise seems equivalent to a Mark 5/V500. It does have the Mark VII differences that are not restrictive. The vertical mode(drill press) sets up lower than a Mark 5/V. The Mark VII main table and accessory table are almost equivalent to a Mark V 505 size wise. The Mark 5/V accessories will work on the Mark VII table.

IMO the frankensmith is preferable to a Mark 5/V500.

JPG wrote:The belt sander appears to be missing it's table. Available from SS, but they appear on E-bay at times.

Other than the items just mentioned, it otherwise seems equivalent to a Mark 5/V500. It does have the Mark VII differences that are not restrictive. The vertical mode(drill press) sets up lower than a Mark 5/V. The Mark VII main table and accessory table are almost equivalent to a Mark V 505 size wise. The Mark 5/V accessories will work on the Mark VII table.

IMO the frankensmith is preferable to a Mark 5/V500.

I am at a loss to understand why someone willing to buy a Mark V would shy away from this unit? I am totally done buying SS's (after buying 25 of them ) but if I were not and wanted one I would buy this one in a heart-beat (being sure it ran OK)...
Is that a Mark VII front table extension in the picture?


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