New ML7 lathe has landed in my garage

[jcsteam]

Hello everyone,

FB_IMG_1619206336087 by Jon Cameron, on Flickr

I'm extremely pleased to have finally bought an ML7. Its rough and looks like its been painted by a monkey on tea break. But it was very cheap. Best of all I put a micrometer on the front sheer at various points and there's 0.0015" difference between the lowest point and the tailstock end. I measured over two threads of the leadscrew, and its nominally the same, with at most 0.0005" over the two threads.

20210501_205817 by Jon Cameron, on Flickr
20210501_205855 by Jon Cameron, on Flickr
20210501_205941 by Jon Cameron, on Flickr
20210501_210018 by Jon Cameron, on Flickr

Unfortunately though it has been stood for 20years in a garage. The bed had a little surface rust, so a spray of WD40 and stoned the bed to get rid of the worst. Its not polished but it will do. In time it'll become polished as everything is adjusted and settles back in. 

I've taken the bearing caps off, and I've set about degreasing all the spindle. Yes sadly it has had grease put into the headstock. The headstock bearings are white metal ones so hopefully they will be OK,but will need to run it to find out for certain or if further work is required.

20210502_123612 by Jon Cameron, on Flickr
20210502_123606 by Jon Cameron, on Flickr
Apart from a couple of bolts its complete, the bush for the apron handwheel seems shot though does anyone know if this is an oilite bearing pushed in? Or direct onto the casting?

Thanks for looking now to play a little with my new toy cleaning up and assessing whats needed. 

Jon

[uuu]

No bush shown here (as the shaft passes through the front casting), only at the back of the pinion shaft:



That doesn't stop you boring out and fitting one, of course.

Wilf

[smallbrother]

For some time I regretted buying my ML7. It was in working order and a reasonable price but as a beginner I used to think it just wasn't what I needed and I looked at a number of alternatives in the mini-lathe ranges.

I am so glad I stuck with it now.

My skills are not great, but after a number of years of learning through lots of mistakes I am actually thrilled with the Myford. I can now sharpen tools and I am better at measuring so when I want to take off 3 thou that's exactly what happens, and stuff fits together.

Very much look forward to you bringing this one back to life.

Pete.

[JonL]

It's funny how something just "clicks" with the lathe and suddenly your accuracy jumps. That's what happened with me and my ML7.

I didn't choose my ML7, it was willed to me, but although many modern lathes would run circles round it, it has a charm that the (very good) modern machines don't quite match!

The very best of luck with it.

[simplyloco]

May 3, 2021 16:47:41 GMT JonL said:

It's funny how something just "clicks" with the lathe and suddenly your accuracy jumps. That's what happened with me and my ML7.

I didn't choose my ML7, it was willed to me, but although many modern lathes would run circles round it, it has a charm that the (very good) modern machines don't quite match!

The very best of luck with it.

Agreed Jon. I just love the way the Roman Numerals are stamped by hand on the bed!😊

[JonL]

May 3, 2021 17:07:42 GMT simplyloco said:

May 3, 2021 16:47:41 GMT JonL said:

It's funny how something just "clicks" with the lathe and suddenly your accuracy jumps. That's what happened with me and my ML7.

I didn't choose my ML7, it was willed to me, but although many modern lathes would run circles round it, it has a charm that the (very good) modern machines don't quite match!

The very best of luck with it.

Agreed Jon. I just love the way the Roman Numerals are stamped by hand on the bed!😊

LOL it was you I had in mind when talking about the modern lathes! Too much sentimental value in mine to consider ever getting rid, but it does almost everything I need.

[neathabbeyironworks]

I have been given a Myford ML7 too. Absolute beginner as well. It dates from 1964 and has been in the possession of its previous own for all bar the first 5 years of its life. When he purchased it the top slide was missing. I have been cleaning mine up with kerosine and a toothbrush. I have yet to use a micrometer on the shears but will do shortly. The white metal bearings look fine. The thrust bearing at the back has signs of wear and would ideally like to replace it. Does anyone know where I could source a new thrust bearing? SKF do lots of thrust bearings but obviously these are metric- seen on the Bearingboys website. New belts and a rewire are also required. Any comments would be appreciated.