Shopsmith Forums

A couple years ago, for reasons that I do not now recall, I removed the lift assist from my Mark V. I think it might have been when I installed the double tilt on my go to machine.

For whatever the reason, I have now installed that lift assist onto my other Mark V. I did this now because I was beginning to realize that I had a great deal of trouble going back and forth to drill press mode. Age has caught up with me. Amazingly, I had all of the parts. That seldom happens in this shop.

I am hear now to tell you that the lift assist is absolutely amazing. The younger crowd (of which I was once a member) probably doesn't realize what this little accessory does for you. But I am here to tell those who have back problems or those who are beginning to feel the effects of age - get a lift assist. It is worth every red cent.

What a fool I have been for not having it reinstalled.

I have it on my Mark 7 and would not want to be without it. I cannot put the power pro headstock into Drill Press position without it. My back cannot take lifting that weight anymore.

I agree with chapmanruss. I would not want a Mark 7 without the lift assist. It is one of the many things I love about the old Mark VII. I have thought about getting another LA for one of the other Mark V's, but decided I didn't need it.

I agree with ya Dusty! They are a great option!

Dido! I have had it on my PowerPro about 5 years. While I could still raise it without the lift I would probably wind up in the ER ;-) I bought a Nova Viking earlier this year so don't anticipate having to raise my Mark V into drill press mode again.

Jack

Although this old codger can still raise to vertical, I do so only when whatever I need doing cannot be done horizontally.

Is there a downside or two to have the lift assist?

Maybe. Incompatible with double tilt. Stuff hangs below the bench tubes. Limits table travel slightly?

berry wrote: Mon Nov 23, 2020 3:21 pm Is there a downside or two to have the lift assist?

I can't imagine what that would be. They are absolutely amazing. There is only one caveat with the new MK 7. You have to disconnect it to lift the machine to the left for under table routing. I don't consider that a downside. It has a quick disconnect so it is easy to do. When lifting to the left the head stock and table carriage is towards the left end of the machine so no lift assist is required.

berry wrote: Mon Nov 23, 2020 3:21 pm Is there a downside or two to have the lift assist?

Yes, I see the fact that some of the area underneath is lesser available for storage. Other than that NO.

A couple of finer points, one when you disconnect the lift to do the other half of the dual lift you get to use the lift to go to go vertical, when you always go to disconnect. You then do no have the lift to lower. Then when you have finished using that position you have lift without the aid of the lift back to drill press mode to reconnect.

You also loose being able to get the carriage all the way to the left which is more of pain when turning shorter things like pens and the like.

This same thing happens when you want to do table tilts with floating extension tables off the right. The deeper the cut you need them more likely this will be an issue.

Most of these things are well documented else where here on the forum. You should be able to search and find them.

My solution was to make some PVC spacers so I can remove the parts then put them back on and keep the fine adjustments of the lift.

Ed