Shopsmith Forums

Does anyone know if there are different variations to the bearings in the Mark VII Idler Shaft?

Here is a picture of my idler shaft assembly.

~Ryan

ryansm7 wrote:Does anyone know if there are different variations to the bearings in the Mark VII Idler Shaft?

Here is a picture of my idler shaft assembly.

~Ryan


http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/attachment.htm?attachmentid=8600&stc=1&d=1271240497

In any event, consider yourself fortunate to have one that appears to have easily replaceable bearings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What makes other idler shafts bearings more difficult to replace?

Sounds like you may have had a bad experience with one....

~Ryan

Ryan,
That looks identical to my Mark VII and the bearings on mine were a snap to replace. They were the same size as the quill bearing if memory serves me.

ryansm7 wrote:What makes other idler shafts bearings more difficult to replace?

Sounds like you may have had a bad experience with one....

~Ryan

No 'bad experience', just 'not possible'. Special modified water pump bearing/shaft only available from ss!!! Situation exists on the mark 5/v idler bearing/shaft and the lower bandsaw bearing/shaft.

JPG40504 wrote:No 'bad experience', just 'not possible'. Special modified water pump bearing/shaft only available from ss!!! Situation exists on the mark 5/v idler bearing/shaft and the lower bandsaw bearing/shaft.

I just checked the ss web page: http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... r_note.htm

Is the "old" or "new" idler shaft (pictured) the "Special modified water pump bearing/shaft"?

Thanks

ryansm7 wrote:I just checked the ss web page: http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/idler_note.htm

Is the "old" or "new" idler shaft (pictured) the "Special modified water pump bearing/shaft"?

Thanks

PTL!!!!! WE are 'saved'! The 'old' one is the waterpump variety!

How long has the 'new' one been around?????

And there's that screw discussed last week elsewhere!

JPG40504 wrote:PTL!!!!! WE are 'saved'! The 'old' one is the waterpump variety!

How long has the 'new' one been around?????

And there's that screw discussed last week elsewhere!

[INDENT][INDENT]
"PTL"... well, I'll hold off on calling Jimmy Baker for now ](if I did help)[/SIZE]...


Anymore thoughts on the variations of bearings in the Mark VII Idler Shaft?[/INDENT][/INDENT]

I find it interesting that the 'new' Mark V idler shaft is designed the same as the 45+ year old Mark VII design and very similar to the 60+ year old Model 10 main shaft design. The water pump bearing was 'clever', but a maintenance booger-bear! Methinks the procurement cost of the original Mark 5/v design got too high!

ryansm7 wrote:I just checked the ss web page: http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... r_note.htm

Is the "old" or "new" idler shaft (pictured) the "Special modified water pump bearing/shaft"?

Thanks

Thanks for the new Idler Shaft reference. I had not viewed that yet. The latest headstock I have disassembled was a 2006 and it had the old water pump design. I have been buying the new eccentric bushing from Shopsmith for around 3 years now and really like to use it on any Mark V headstock.