Odd looking Shopsmith, any info?

[Mike]

Anyone know what this is? I spend an hour looking on the forum but no luck. Thinking of picking it up.

[jsburger]

It is a 1960's MK VII. Not to be confused with the current SS MK 7.

[Mike]

Thanks John, I was hoping you would lend a hand. Is it worth purchasing compared to other models? My wife will probably put the hurt on me if I drag it home. Just wanna make sure the pain is worth the gain. Thank you!

[lahola1]

Hi Mike,
I like my MKVII better than my MKV. I've attached some links to threads on more info and pros and cons of the MKVII. Some parts are interchangeable with the MKV, some are not. From the pic it looks like the start switch is missing. If it can be started, try to turn the speed sown to slow, turn it on for a second. If it starts, fine; if it just hums or buzzes stop it imediately. It's probably a bad start relay; not so bad, but also the motor could be shot. That would be bad. Motors are not intechangeable with MKV and almost irreplaceable. If your still interested in it look for the rip fence ;MKV fence is different also.
Bottom line; if your handy with tools and want a project and can get it for $100 or less I would get it. They are cool machines. JPG has a thread on this forum on rebuilding a MKVII. It helped my to get mine running. And it it didn't work out for you it could be parted out and sold on Ebay as the MKVII parts are pretty rare.
Good luck.
viewtopic.php?p=269285#p269285
viewtopic.php?p=280345#p280345

[edma194]

I keep looking for a Mark VII. They come up for sale whenever I can't go get it. Some of them are in great condition with the plastic parts replaced with metal. The one in the photo needs some work, a lot of visible rust usually means more underneath. lahola1 has it right, that one should go for no more than $100. It might require a second one to get all the parts, that might even be the parts machine for someone who already has a Mark VII.

[Mike]

Thanks everyone greatly appreciated. There are so many with so much experience and knowledge, amazing folk.

[Mike]

I picked it up will try and post some pics over the weekend. It has some plastic, has a jointer, came with an "in the original box" with instructions/never used (he said) Shopsmith band saw, and a stand alone cast iron Craftsman jointer Model. 113.206931 that is rusted up good. all turn with nothing frozen but all need serious cleanup.

[Mike]

A few pics one with a broken plastic part that I assume adjusts speed.

[lahola1]

Looks like you've got a lot of good stuff with it.
You have the rip fence ;good. The plastic rack (as much of it as I can see) looks good.
The plastic speed cam looks good and is set to medium slow speed (good for testing the motor). The very tip of the cam is missing but not that important. Mine is missing too. Get some light oil soaking on that small bearing behind the plastic cam follower and sheaves. Actually, follow JPG's thread on the MKVII teardown and rebuild. Be careful with that motor! There is a thread or two here about the MKVII motors.
Also, here is a link to Everett Davis's thread (3rd from the top) in maintainence and repair. Click on the red "my google drive".There is a boatload of info on all things SS including the MKVII.
Take your time. Looks like a nice project.
viewtopic.php?p=185690#p185690

BTW, We ate lunch in Cambria driving down the coast a few years ago. Nice little town. Also like gearshift knobs on your websight. Pretty cool.

[Mike]

Thanks lahola1 for info! I thought the cam was shot because of the broken end. If I get everything to work maybe I’ll pull it and scan it and get it printed. I’ll take my time loosening everything up. I have a 10ER I’m finishing up this coming week. Reading the threads, thanks for the links! JPG has a lot of knowledge, so I’ll do the 3 Ls- look/listen/learn
I did run the craftsman jointer and it runs nice smooth and very quiet.
Shift knobs are cast bronze, the only skull shift-knobs cast in bronze and made in the US but cost a lot, we lost a lot making them so that is it, 250 numbered and no more. Besides we are retiring from the company pretty soon, I hope…
Did an Arizona tour before Covid, Grand Canyon, Flagstaff and Sedona. Sedona is the only town we ever seriously considered moving to, it is stunning. If your ever in Cambria again stop by for a visit.