Shopsmith Forums

I just recently dug my Dads old mark VII out. My brother told me several years ago the he had quit using it because the motor was bad. This thing has a switch three push pull levers on the front. The toggle covers are gone. All of the switches I see 4 pole, this on has 9. I disconnected the white and black wires at the motor and the motor ran. When I hooked it back to the switch to test it the right on switch and the off switch work but couldn’t get the left on switch to work. After working the switch a little I got it to activate but it just hums now in either position. I hooked the motor back directly and now I just hums and the cords getting hot so I assume the motor is bad. My question is since I need to replace the motor and the switch what is compatible with this unit. With all of the extra leads on the switch and the motor not sure what’s needed? Thanks in advance..Chuck

Hi Chuck, and welcome!

I'm afraid I can't help you with your question, but I do want to point out a detail that will help you going forward perhaps getting answers and finding parts. Shopsmith has made two machines incorporating the number seven in the name. There is the old '60s machine called the Mark VII, and the current-production electronically-controlled Mark 7. Yes it's confusing! What you have is a Mark VII. I took the liberty of editing your post so that people reading it wouldn't be confused and can give you better answers.

Again, welcome to the forum!

Mine is the old mark seven. When I did a search on the switch (asp 3134-01) it looks like it was manufactured in 1964.

Yes, as I said that one is called a "Mark VII"

That’s why it says VII on the subject

Thanks anyway

Crupe1 wrote: Wed Jul 30, 2025 9:36 pm That’s why it says VII on the subject

It does NOW, after I changed it from "Mark 7" to help you out!

Oh it also says Mark 7 on it!

Realize the switch does more than switch the motor on/off. It also switches the start circuit to control direction.

Connecting the white/black wires will energize the run winding, but if the start circuit is not complete it will just hum.

What you described above is it ran initially when the black/white wires were directly connected.

later when monkeying with the switch the start circuit got opened in both directions.

Letting it hum long enough for the cord to get hot is not a good thing.

Connecting the start circuit directly will demonstrate if it is still viable.

What manufacturer made the motor?(A.o.smith/ge/???)

The wire colors vary between the different manufacturers.

a 4pdt center off toggle switch can be used to replace the original ge electric stove type switch.


over

Thank you.. the motor is an ao smith c48 2a10 1.125 hp. The switch is a GE asp 3134-01. I’m trying to get this going for my son in law but seems like with the short run for the VII this may be more of chore then it’s worth. Sorry about the confusion between the 7 and the VII. I’m used to motorcycle this is a whole new adventure. Thanks

Does the A O Smith motor have an EXTERNAL start relay?