I acquired an old Myford lathe, most components appear to be ML7, but I am unsure about the exact model I have, i.e. The headstock on my lathe is not stock ML7.
I have looked for a serial No, but it appears it does not have one in the normal places, but it looks like the bed has been changed at some time.
The front spindle bearing cap has 4 fixing screws, not 2 like on ML7, the bearings are the white metal type.
I have attached some images for reference, thought it might interest some of the members
Strange, an ML7 but not as we know it, might be a very early head. My 1948 version is two bolt.
Have you looked for a SNo. or remains of, on the back of rear shear, right up at the tailstock end? If the bed has been reground more than once, SNo. might have been ground out! v. faint on mine after 1 regrind.
ML7’s were widely copied, this may be one of those. Having said that it may be quite satisfactory, the front bearing looks to be in good shape and is perhaps a little more generous in bearing area than the genuine thing.
Take a look at http://www.lathes.co.uk Tony Griffiths lists and shows some of the clones that were produced, there could be clues there.
Fascinating! It looks from the tailstock to be an early model ML7, but the front headstock bearing is very different! Out of interest, does it have 65 teeth on the bullwheel?
I can’t imagine it not being a pukka Myford; it’s got too many genuine-looking bits on it, and it looks far too old for it to be a clone.
Interesting.
It has helicoil inserts in the main part which is not standard. It also looks like a hole in the center may hve been filled. I wonder if it is a repair for badly stripped Threads? The top cap being machined to provide space for two bolts each side. The cast boss for the oiler looks standard. Any sign of filled holes in the cap?
It’s a very neat job if it is.
I looked for a serial No in the places show in the ML7 manual, but there is no signs of one, but the bed is in good condition so it may have been changed or ground.
The Bullwheel has 65 teeth, I needed to change it, teeth missing, managed to pick up the gears (ML7) from the Stafford Classic Motorbike show in April, that’s what made me curious about the model. The bearings are in good condition but the 4 front bearing cap screw holes have helicoils fitted. I cannot see any signs of a replaced hole in the center of the two screws front and back of cap.
Definitely a different headstock casting to standard ML7, the measurement of the front bearing carrier is shown as just under 40mm. On my ’48 vintage, the measurement at the same location is 35mm.
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