New member from Essex with a Few Myfords

[Arran WatersParticipant @arranwaters20599]

Hi, I have a few Myfords and enjoy metalwork, carpentry.

[Arran WatersParticipant @arranwaters20599]

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Welcome to the forum Arran,

Neil

[David TParticipant @davidt96864]

Welcome, I'm also from Essex, and also have a Myford

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Welcome. Lots of Myford users (and abusers, of the verbal type of course) on here so you are in good company.

[Swarf, Mostly!Participant @swarfmostly]

You need to keep them bolted down firmly!

Mine started from Beeston, Nottingham, of course, then went to Croydon. From there it (she?) moved to just North of Romford, then to just South East of Romford. She then escaped from Romford and spent a year or so in a refuge just outside Chelmsford. When she was liberated from there, she found a new home in Southampton.

However, that only lasted for three years and for the last eighteen years she's been serving me well here in East Hampshire.

The pro-Myford vs anti-Myford dialogue seems to be a permanent feature of this forum. My position is that, in 1970 when I bought my ML7, South Bends were fairly rare (and expensive) as were the Boxford and other English clones. I didn't want an earlier Myford or a Flexispeed or a Gamage or their ilk. As I wasn't a technical college lecturer, I didn't have access to a friendly-priced cast-off Holbrook or similar. But 'everyone' knew about the ML7 so I bought one (second hand). Since that time, it has served me well and the only problems encountered (apart from that awful oil-gun!!!) have been between the operator's ears.

Best regards,

Swarf, Mostly!

Edited By Swarf, Mostly! on 31/08/2018 10:17:19

[Chris BrambleParticipant @chrisbramble71755]

Hi, New member just joined today so be gentle with me as I have managed to negotiate the induction rigmarole and needed a lie down. So why did I join? Two reasons really the first being I need help on trying to rescue an old family friend, that being a Myford ML4. I say ML4 but think that it is a bit of a mixture of upgrades during its 70 year old life. At my age of 72 just wish someone had done that for me. I digress sorry! The cross slide and top slide has a great deal of wear in the order of 15-29 thousands ( in old money ) and I would like to replace the lead screw. This means that the thread in both slides has to be replaced. Myford that is the new owners have no information on the ML4 and certainly no spares. This is beginning to turn into a novel: Pressing on, the commercially available accurate screw threads start with diameters of 10mm, these are too big as the bush needed to support is too large to be pressed into the slide even if it could be turned down. The screw threads at the moment are 5/16 and the thread in the slide is tapped into the slide. So what I am looking for is the smallest screwthread and bush and wonder if those suited on the ML7 could be adapted. I think from info received so far that the ML10 uses a 3/8 size but do not know the size of the bush. Oh the second reason is to try and help other members. All help welcome Kind regards Chris

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember19781]

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[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Arran and Chris, Welcome. You won't regret joining.

Chris Bramble,

Take a look at Lathes UK, website. Myford ML2 and ML4 pages. There is a lot of info there that you will find useful.

Am currently starting to help a friend to recommission a ML2 which is minus various bits. (A lot of setscrews missing for a start!) So far two studs for the Changewheels made, and some more bits to come, by the looks of it.

Needless to say, a machine of that vintage will use BSW and BSF hardware, and be made to Imperial dimensions..

Vast amounts of fabulous work has been done on Myfords, by folk who are far more skilled, patient and ingenious than I.

I sold mine in favour of something bigger and more versatile, but the ML7 gave me years of pleasure, and experience.

Howard

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Welcome to both. Probably better for one, or both, to create new threads.

I have nothing against myfords other than I prefer my particular 5” centre height lathe from the same era. They can all turn out good work – even if there is a lot of wear (assuming Chris’ wear is backlash only (or mainly)).

I would expect repairs to cross and top slides is fairly easy. More than one way to go, particularly if one fits some form of alternative read out on each axis (‘userbility’ rather than originality). To be honest, if it has 15 thous. of backlash, that is not too much to bother with as I wouldn’t expect better than 5 if in good condition at that age.

[Chris BrambleParticipant @chrisbramble71755]

Hi Guys, what a welcome thank you one and all. So I think I will press on with my quest to get this lathe working to its best, primarily because I am introducing my 10yr old grandson to it. We are converting a bike for his needs. He has cerebral palsy and is unable to rotate the normal 360 crank degrees on a bike. Grandad has come up with an up down scheme to allow him to enjoy a ride with his mates. If people out there do have measurements of lead screws and their bushes around the 5/16 – 3/8 or 7 to 9mm, willing to convert to new money. I would appreciate it. Many thanks in anticipation. Chris

[Arran WatersParticipant @arranwaters20599]

Hi Bill, I have a ML7, a super 7 which is a mark2 I believe and a ML8( which is a wood lathe) . Thanks for the replies

Arran

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember19781]

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