Shopsmith Forums

Hi everyone, just joining the Shopsmith community and I was wondering if anyone had any tips for setting up a brand new Mark VII?

I just got the call from Shopsmith the other day and was told my order will be shipping out and to expect it sometime at the end of next week.

So I wanted to be ready and was wondering if there anyone had some tips on how best to setup a new Shopsmith and if there are any pitfalls to avoid. Tips or tricks that are not in the manual that would help.

Thanks,
Bart

Welcome to the madness!

FWIW, if thee are indeed expecting a shipment from SS, realize it will be a Mark 7, not a Mark VII(a 1960s variant and the inspiration for many of the 'unique' attributes as well as some 510 variations from a Mark 5/V).

I would start with researching here how to align it( merely to verify factory accuracy).

The saw dust sessions are a decent source of knowledge.

Do not be reticent about asking anything. We mostly have all been there and not understood that often ourselves.

Don't change anything but do check everything. Verify the factory settings and then READ TH BOOK. Practice the different setups until you are comfortable before you try to make sawdust. Most of all have fun safely.
Bill V

You will thoroughly enjoy your new Shopsmith but only if you learn to use it wisely and safely. Your Mark 7 will serve you well. As has already been advised, make certain of all alignments before you use it to make sawdust. The manual contains excellent directions for doing this. Just as important, IMHO, is lubrication. Even though this is a new machine, I strongly advise that you learn (from those manuals) how to lubricate it and to then do so on a regular basis.

Done on a regular basis, lubrication and alignment verification is about a fifteen minute task.

ENJOY and welcome to the Shopsmith Forum.

I join in encouraging you to check you all your alignments before you start a real project. It has been some years but when my 520 came I did not take the time to verify the saw blade alignment. It was just slightly out and I was making what needed to be precise cuts. I had to buy a new supply of lumber for that project. It is worth the time and effort.

I already bought some lube, both glidecote for the tables and trewax for the tubes. I tried to buy some Johnson's wax paste but it was almost liquid when I opened it. Tried to freeze it and the next day it was back to liquid form in a 74 degree house.

As for checking the alignment, I will double check everything for sure and read all the manuals.

Thanks for the response, all good advice I plan to follow.

Bart430 wrote:I already bought some lube, both glidecote for the tables and trewax for the tubes. I tried to buy some Johnson's wax paste but it was almost liquid when I opened it. Tried to freeze it and the next day it was back to liquid form in a 74 degree house.

As for checking the alignment, I will double check everything for sure and read all the manuals.

Thanks for the response, all good advice I plan to follow.

Return the wax to where you purchased it and get it replaced(check it before leaving store). There has been a bad batch.

I too welcome you to the wonderful world of Shopsmith. You will love the machine, and learn quickly how versatile it really is. There are known issues (as will all equipment) that you can read about and prepare for. Like the others have stated, be safe, think about what you are about to do. Follow the safety advice found in the manuals. If you feel uncomfortable before a cut, stop and ask yourself why. The manuals will teach you all of the basics, the Internet will teach you the rest!

Most of all have fun. This is a great hobby that lets you touch a lot of lives with your creativity!

JMHO

dont forget your feather boards and face shield

rjent thanks for that advice.

Hobbyman2, thanks I got the face shield and one feather board or whatever comes with it standard.

JPG FYI, prior to taking back the paste wax I got but then also went to Johnson's website and asked if it being liquid was common or did they have a bad batch. I didn't hear back so I just returned it to Amazon, well they refunded me the money and I chucked the wax.

Well today in the mail I got 17 1.00 off coupons from Johnson's and a free up to 7.00 coupon for any floor care product. Its nice they did that, I wasnt expecting it I just wanted to know if there was something I could do to fix the wax from being liquid.