Myford Turret Attachment, #1408.

[Swarf, Mostly!Participant @swarfmostly]

Hi there, all,

 

I have had a Myford ML7 since 1970 and I’ve acquired a few (!!) accessories and attachments for it over the years. One of these is the Turret Attachment that bolts to the cross-slide, part number #1408.

 

My training (as an electronic engineer) included a spell in the company’s trainee model-shop, where we filed square pieces of metal to fit into square holes, made sets of spanners and toolmakers clamps (mine must have been fairly good – someone nicked them!) and eventually progressed to one of the row of six ML7s to make scribers, centre punches and screws for the clamps.

 

Back in the 1960s I had a 5_1/2″ Carl Hurth lathe and the ML7 hasn’t been idle all these years.

 

So I got some instruction in basic turning but the only insight I got into ‘production techniques’ was the chapter in Lawrence Sparey’s ‘The Amateur’s Lathe’.

 

The #1408 attachment has an operating lever that looks just the biz and I assumed that this would advance the turret round to the next station but (on my #1408 at least) all it seems to do is release the turret detent. Am I missing something or making some false assumptions? How is this gadget supposed to be operated. Taking the larger view, what book would you recommend I read to gain an introductory understanding of capstan or turret lathe operation? Or should I try YouTube?

 

Thanks,

 

Swarf, Mostly!

 

[Swarf, Mostly!Participant @swarfmostly]

[NobbyParticipant @nobby]

Hi Swarf ,Mostly !

Have you got the the 6 way on stop that goes with it that fits on the back of the lathe . So you can set the depths for each turret.. ie center drill, drill, turn, etc & part off

Regards Nobby

[Swarf, Mostly!Participant @swarfmostly]

Hi there, Nobby,

 

Thanks for your reply.

 

No, I don’t have the stop. If I were to get really fired up on a high-quantity task I’d either look out for one or else try to make one.

But I’m not at that place at present – it’s just that my curiosity has been aroused.

 

I do have the lever-operated collet chuck plus some imperial collets but my headstock doesn’t have the cast-on mounting lug. I know there’s an alternative mounting clamp but I haven’t so far been motivated to acquire (or make) one.

 

‘Under my bench’, I have some parts of the cast iron frame from a neighbour’s upright piano – it machines beautifully.

 

Best regards,

 

Swarf, mostly!

[NobbyParticipant @nobby]

Hi Swarf, mostly.
I have the 6 way stop . But no turret . I still find ti useful when using my 4 way tool post.
The stop I use most is an adjustable one I made for my super 7 mk 1 it give me 2 setting & a platform for gauge blocks Under the stop on the platform is a rule for general lengths using the fixed rule I face job slide rule back say 1/2″ and lock it.
For 2 settings I use the adjustable collars on the long stop I may be teaching my grandma how to suck eggs
Regards Nobby

[NobbyParticipant @nobby]

Hi
Sorry slide the stop back 1/2″ and lock it,
Nobby

[Swarf, Mostly!Participant @swarfmostly]

Hi there, Nobby,

Thank you for your messages.

My current project is to fit a quick-change gearbox to my ML7 – I suspect that your stop would compete for the same space.

 

Does the six-way stop auto-index or do you have to turn it to the next position by hand?

This really is the essence of my question about the cross-slide turret, #1408, if you have to loosen the top locking lever by hand, turn the turret to the next position by hand while operating the enormous detent lever by hand, then re-tightening the top locking lever by hand (and turning the six-way stop by hand) the whole thing seems more suitable for an octopus operator than a mere homo sapiens! I must be missing something!

 

Regarding your mention of ‘sucking eggs’, I’m still trying to master the ‘grasp the egg gently but firmly with the thumb and first & second fingers’ stage. When it comes to production turning, at any rate. Mind you, in engineering generally, I do know that to succeed with some jobs I have to ‘hold my mouth right’!!

 

Best regards,

 

Swarf, mostly!

[NobbyParticipant @nobby]

Hi Swarf . Mostly

It does not auto-index . You turn it by hand. As you may know on a true capstan as the turret turns the stops at the back turns with the turret. You are not missing anything you have sussed it out. They are old hat now with these CNC turning centers . with auto tool changes .Tool call 1 etc

Best of luck with your next project

Regards Nobby

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