Some Questions about my new (to me) T7

[John Hancock Sr]

new drive wheel seems of much higher quality than the old one

Yes. They upgraded it significantly. The old plastic wheel would crack over the years.

[Ken S]

My T7 came with the older plastic drive wheel. I had no problem with it;it never cracked. Along with the EZYlock shaft and Advanced Water Tray, I purchased the upgrade parts. I am very impressed with the new zinc drivewheel.I gave my functioning plastic wheel to a friend.

Zinc machining must be a fairly new technology. I believe Tormek first used it for the machined top of the T4 in 2014. It is a game changer. It solves the thirty minute duty cycle overheating problem. Machined zinc top is the major difference between the T7 and T8 as well as the redesigned jigs. I suspect it is also a major factor in the eight year warranty.

For those on a tight budget with the older plastic drive wheel, there is no immediate need to replace it if it is not cracked. I'm sure there are many cracked and glued wheels still doing trooper service. I don't regret replacing mine.

Ken

[John Hancock Sr]

Zinc machining must be a fairly new technology.

Not sure what you mean Ken. New to Tormek, or new in general. Casting zinc alloys has been around for many decades, see alloy wheels on cars, and alloy engines and parts. I think that it was more expensive than steel fabricated parts which may have been a disincentive. Also new alloys have been developed with more strength and resistance to fracture and this may have also been a contributing factor.

Perhaps someone on speaking terms with the Tormek people could ask them what their decision making process was.