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Thread: Myford dilemma

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Northcote, VIC
    Posts
    19

    Default Myford dilemma

    I'm in two minds at the moment, so I thought I'd crowdsource some ideas.

    I'm way into the cleaning of the Myford ML7 I recently acquired, and I've started to make a list of jobs to do to get it back to proper function. So far I'll need to deal with the cross and top slide screw issues, and probably remake some bushings for the drive system. This lathe was apparently left in a shed for 10 years after the owner died. It doesn't look like it's been turned in that time.

    My biggest issue is that it has the old white metal bearings and soft spindle. As many of you will know, Myford now sell a hardened spindle with matched phosphor bronze bearing shells. No replacements for the white metal bearings are available (that I can find). I did think about whether it would be possible to our new bearings into the old shells, but that sounds like a slippery slope. Ultimately I'm looking at fixing this up and moving it on. I have a Hercus that meets my turning needs.

    So...

    Do I carry on fixing what I can and maybe buy a secondhand soft spindle and bearings (on eBay for around $300), or buy a new spindle (paying what seems like a ridiculous price)?

    OR, do I start to part out the lathe to recoup costs. This lathe came with some accessories, including 2 x 4.5" face plates, a 9" slotted plate, 4 dogs, the myford milling slide with myford vice that looks like it's never been used, and a tailstock level attachment. There is also a tool rest, I guess for woodturning on the lathe? All of it barely used. There is also quick a bit of tool steel, including some 1" sized bits that I'm never going to use.

    I don't like the idea of splitting this lot up, but I can't keep it, and plowing more money into it seems like a bad idea. Especially when I've just bought another motorcycle, and I've already promised to sell a couple of the parts bikes to keep family harmony (and free up space).

    What do you all think? Keep going or start taking pictures of all the parts?

    Martin

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    35
    Posts
    1,522

    Default

    What wrong with the current spindle and bearings? Have you assessed bed wear? for me that would be the deciding factor. The nice thing about the myford i own is that it is nearly silent so I can use it late at night.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2001
    Location
    ACT
    Posts
    667

    Default

    I am thinking along the lines of Caskwarrior. How bad are the bearings? clean it all up of course then see if you have any play.

    The headstock bearing caps on the ML7 are separated by multilayered shims and allow you to to adjust for wear by peeling off a layer of shim.

    As long as you keep the oil up to the white metal bearings they will last a long time.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    N.W.Tasmania
    Posts
    1,407

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Zsteve View Post
    I am thinking along the lines of Caskwarrior. How bad are the bearings? clean it all up of course then see if you have any play.

    The headstock bearing caps on the ML7 are separated by multilayered shims and allow you to to adjust for wear by peeling off a layer of shim.

    As long as you keep the oil up to the white metal bearings they will last a long time.

    I agree with Steve and Caskwarrior as well. If I understand your post correctly, even if the white metal shells were completely cactus, (pretty unlikely) they can be re-poured. I have only been involved in a pretty minor way in pouring white metal bearings once and that was many years ago, but it is not rocket science, there are quite a few youtube videos which cover the process, and I imagine that experienced advice would be available from members here amongst other exponents of the art. Keith Fenner and I think Keith Rucker have posted youtube videos on the re-manufacturing of white metal bearings, which would be a good place to start researching the topic if you wish, in any case good luck with it.
    ,

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