Myford 254 Plus toolpost type

[Diy AddictParticipant @diyaddict]

There's an original 254 saddle stop on eBay at the moment. At and eye-watering price, but might give you an idea how to make one.

[Dave WoottonParticipant @davewootton]

Just some feedback on toolposts and the new to me 254 plus, I've used it now for a few days with the T00 sized Dixon toolpost and holders from the ML7-R ( this is a combination of Bison and A&R Precision). Despite my reservations about the size of the toolholders for the size of the lathe it has coped extremely well with some fairly chunky backplate turning and another job involving some horrible intermittent cutting.

I've decided to stick with the Dixon post, a decision partly made because I notice R.D.Barret tools are having a sale on genuine Bison toolholders at present, so will stock up on a few more of those. Still think the toolpost looks too small for a big lathe, and this applies also to the only suitable Multifix clone the AS size, but as it works ok I think I'll leave it as it is. Whatever toolpost is fitted the small distance between centre height and top of cross slide limits tool size when used in a toolholder. I do have a T1 size post and a couple of holders somewhere, and in the future might make a solid block to replace the top slide

One of the next things to make for the lathe is a saddle stop I feel lost without one, but I do find the graduated saddle handwheel very useful. Thanks for the useful replies to my original question, they did help in making a decision.

Dave

[Chris CrewParticipant @chriscrew66644]

Personally, having made one years ago for an ML7-R, I think the GHT rear parting tool-post is awful. As with all GHT designs, it is 'flimsy'', difficult to adjust to the correct working height both in construction and use because of the angled blades and not particularly aesthetically pleasing either. Having been mightily disappointed by it after a week's worth of construction time, not to mention the cost of the castings etc., which were then supplied by Reeves, I bought an OEM Myford rear tool-post and found it to be very satisfactory, although I don't use the 'boat' to adjust tool height. For my Student I fabricated, as near as I could get to the OEM design, the Colchester rear tool-post and I have easily parted 6" noggins of mild steel for Myford back-plates and gear blanks with it, so perhaps making a cross between the two types would suit the 254, although I am not familiar with this lathe.

[lfoggyParticipant @lfoggy]

When I purchased my 254, I specified both the solid and quick-change rear toolposts as below. To be honest I rarely use them. Sometimes useful for screwcutting backwards but otherwise they just get in the way. With the advent of indexable parting tools, the advantage of rear mounted parting tools seems to be minimal. I wouldn't bother. A better mod is the solid front toolpost..

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