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

    Default Myford ML7 cross slide and compound screws

    I feel like I'm falling down the rabbit hole here, but I recently got offered a Myford ML7 at a price I couldn't pass up. It has apparently been sitting unused in a shed for more than 10 years. it seems in generally good condition. not a lot of obvious wear, and without the damage that my ex-high school Hercus has. According to the Myford site, the serial number dates this lathe to 1953/54.


    I've started the clean up and discovered that there are issues with both the cross slide and compound screws. The cross slide screw is slightly bent at the end so that the mazak dial is wobbly enough to bind each rotation.
    the compound screw has obviously suffered some major damage at some point and a previous owner has decided to bodge a fix by tying the dial to the screw with wire, and keeping the handle on with a piece of allthread. Pics are below.

    I've found the videos of the teardown and refurb of a ML7 by Geoffrey Croker to be useful: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUO...uqSL_rfzA3PENQ

    So, my questions: as I have another lathe (Hercus ARM9), I guess i should make the new parts myself. But, I'm not that experienced. I was thinking of turning down the slightly bent cross slide screw to make a new compound screw. that means I'd have to make a new cross slide screw.

    Where would I get 5/8-10 acme screw rod from? I'm in Melbourne. I'd rather not try and turn it myself as I don't have follow rest for the Hercus.
    I'd like to make new nuts out of bronze - where would i get this from locally, and would I better off using leaded bronze or something else?

    And so, the pictures:

    The partially stripped lathe

    1523273860108.jpg

    The cross slide screw
    1523273860431.jpg

    The compound screw and dial
    1523273860787.jpg

    Thanks for any other tips Myford owners might have for a new owner!

    Martin

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Aldinga Beach.
    Age
    73
    Posts
    148

    Default

    Ebay.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    melbourne australia
    Posts
    3,228

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dadrock View Post
    I'd like to make new nuts out of bronze - where would i get this from locally, and would I better off using leaded bronze or something else?
    Martin,
    You can get it from George White Metals in Clayton. I would use Phosphor Bronze.

    George White | Australia's leading stockist & distributor of non-ferrous metals - Product List
    Chris

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    AU
    Posts
    30

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by onanonanon View Post
    Ebay.
    Never heard of it.

    Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    AU
    Posts
    30

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jack620 View Post
    Martin,
    You can get it from George White Metals in Clayton. I would use Phosphor Bronze.

    George White | Australia's leading stockist & distributor of non-ferrous metals - Product List
    Cheers, for both the source and recommendation. I'll follow it up.

    Martin

    Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Richmond
    Posts
    214

    Default

    Hi Martin. That thread you need is 3/8" x10tpi.

    Enjoy the refurb on the ML7.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    AU
    Posts
    30

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by OldRustyToolie View Post
    Hi Martin. That thread you need is 3/8" x10tpi.

    Enjoy the refurb on the ML7.
    Ah yes, got that wrong. Thanks.

    Martin

    Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    melbourne
    Posts
    473

    Default

    No chance of straightening it? Nothing to lose...

    Russ

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    AU
    Posts
    30

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by russ57 View Post
    No chance of straightening it? Nothing to lose...

    Russ
    Yeah, I'll give that a go. It's only bent at the small threaded end, so I feel like it's more likely to snap at the transition from the larger acme thread.

    The compound screw is stuffed though. I think I might convert to metric screws given how hard it is to find plain 3/8-10 acme rod.

    Martin

    Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    35
    Posts
    1,522

    Default

    McMaster Carr in the states is one supplier but you have to use a freight forwarder.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Ipswich QLD
    Age
    68
    Posts
    1,996

    Default

    Myford UK still sell parts or ebay RDG Tools.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    4,779

    Default

    Highette Metals in Braeside sell many sizes of bronze round bar at scrap prices which is about $15 per Kg. I never buy new bronze when I need it. Of course it always depends on what they have at the time but I don't think they move that much of it as they always seem to have literally dozens of pieces in the racks. The hardest part is finding the right size or a piece that's not too big. Buying 10Kg of bronze bar at scrap prices may still be cheap but it adds up in price if you only need a small bush!

    As for the bent leadscrew, at least have a go at straightening it. The X leadscrew on my (half finished) Pacific mill was bent after what appeared to be a collision with a forlift (or similar) straightened up quite well after some care and patience. The beauty of attempting to fix the damaged part is the fact that you have nothing to loose and everything to gain.

    Good luck!

    Simon
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

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