Hi, ML7 re-start

[DiogenesParticipant @diogenes]

..plus another for leaving the headstock alone for the present!

..If the original finish is serviceable and will clean up, I’d keep that too..

[Martin of WickParticipant @martinofwick]

Removing and replacing the headstock for painting not a big issue. Clearly it will need to be clocked back in on re-assembly using the adjusting screws on the lathe bed and naturally all mating surfaces must be surgically clean. personally, I would acquire a MT2 test bar for set ups and alignments on the basis that they do not cost much and they help reduce sources of error and doubt.

 

The Myford  ‘dividing thing’ is treasure in its own right…..

Really? I wonder how often they are actually used. Other ‘less faff’ dividing methods are available. Keep it well wrapped and protected from damp rust somewhere you can remember, against the one in ten year event that requires its use.

nb. you will find you use the test bar much more frequently than the ‘treasure’ (unless you are a clock maker)!

 

 

[Martin of Wick]

On Martin of Wick Said:

[quoting me] The Myford  ‘dividing thing’ is treasure in its own right…..[/quote]

Really? I wonder how often they are actually used. Other ‘less faff’ dividing methods are available. Keep it well wrapped and protected from damp rust somewhere you can remember, against the one in ten year event that requires its use.

[…]

 

 

Here is a previous discussion, which may go some way to explaining my use of the word:

https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/topic/dividing-head-attachment/

… and your own observations almost define the word 🙂

MichaelG.

[Martin of WickParticipant @martinofwick]

Indeed Michael! I’ve no doubt if one lived long enough the day would come when the ‘treasure’ would be worth its weight in gold, assuming it could be located at that time!

Any division work I have had to do so far has been quite basic and well within the capacity of the excellent but simple Sparey dividing head.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

[ pro bono publico ]

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/4654/16796.pdf

 

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

+1 on don’t remove the headstock. Not a beginner project and totally unnecessary. Clean it up as best you can and dab a bit of paint on with a brush.

You can get the original “Myford grey” colour from Paragon Paints or general “machinery grey” from almost anywhere is pretty close for a quick fix.

[JAParticipant @ja]

One thing that concerns me, other than what appears to be a plate of food, is the space where you are working. The nearly clear plastic wall behind the lathe looks inadequate for general weather. I am sure that once the lathe is in bits work will be done in a warm dry place.

JA

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

PS I would not worry too much about the electric motor either. Damp storage (as long as it was not actually under water) should be rectifiable by sitting it somewhere warm and dry for a while and then maybe blowing a fan heater or hair dryer through it.

I have a drill press whose motor was stored disassembled in a shipping container on farm that got flooded. The motor body and field windings were packed full of river mud, as was the armature. Some years later,  I literally hosed the dried mud out with a garden hose then sat everything out in the sun for a week to dry, then hit it with the heat gun for a bit and the motor works to this day. Which amazed me!

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Above all, don’t rush! Each job will take as long as it needs. Impatience breeds inaccuracy (As I know to my cost, far too often)

The motor can be drying out while you clean the machine, reassemble and adjust, applying paint when and where you feel it is necessary.

By all means mount the lathe on a rigid, substantial bench, and set it up.

The environment needs to be weatherproof, and insulated to minimise rapid temperature changes.

When all the work is finished, you will have a machine, and accessories with a huge range of capabilities, only limited by your imagination.

What you do will expand along with your experience and capability

Forty years ago, I never imagined that I would eventually knurl, screwcut, make interference fits, or cut gears.

Gain experience and confidence by making simple accessories. They will “Come in handy” later on.

You are starting along a path to enormous pleasure and usefulness. (For yourself and others. But beware of the friend who comes along with “A little job. Can you just?” They think it will only take ten minutes, you will know better!)

Have fun

Howard

 

[Author]

Posts