Good day!

I'm considering an old Mk1 Super 7 that is on sale and I wanted to have a better idea about the age of it before I commit. It has the old oil – pre wick on the headstock, so I know it's pre '59 but when I went to have a look at it, I couldn't see a serial on the bed anywhere. I looked in the two locations that I've seen suggested on various posts, but there's nothing on the front left bed nor in the back near the headstock ( although the location description is vage on the latter, no sign of it anywhere on the rear)

Perhaps someone here could either suggest another place to look or another way to narrow down the production year. I'd rather not pick up one that is pre '58 and is no longer supported with spares.

Thanks!

Thanks for the replies. Just to be clear, as my lathe terminology is not fully developed, is the vertical shear this part?
**LINK** It is the only milled surface on the rear bed.

There are a few things I would also appreciate help with that I haven't found online.

There is backlash of about .80-.85 when I turn the lead screw handle. Is that a problem or an easy fix?
Also, I can't find a general instruction for basic operation so I'm not sure if all the features work. For instance, there is a back gear handle and a tumbler reverse lever. I only tried putting the back gear handle up and it resulted in the belt slipping without anything turning. Not sure if I need to be setting a combination of handles for it to work or if there is something wrong with it.

It has a gearbox, just FIY. I'm going to have another look at it, but would appreciate some pointers as to what to look out for when inspecting it.

Thanks again, regards,

Hakon

Thanks Hopper. Good points. It's been in storage, no rust on ways, only a little on the handles, but everything is solid except the lead screw backlash. No teeth missing. I'll check the bed ways.

Thanks!

Hakon

Well, I took another look and the serial was SK8780 so it is late '58, early '59 model with the updated clutch.

I made an offer which was accepted so I am now the proud owner of a very vintage and seemingly well cared for Super 7. The previous owner is an electrician who used it for his work and is now in his nineties. He brought the lathe over from England on the steamship that I supposedly took my first steps on. So I'm its second owner in its 70 year "life". Looking forward to setting it up properly.

I have been sorting out the parts that came with it and would like some help identifying some of the accessories and I took a picture of all of them laid out. New thread for that?

Regards

Hello Simon and thanks for the welcome.

Yes, I will upload pictures but assumed it would be easy as there is an image icon here that I planned to use Will let you know if I run into trouble with that. I will have to snap a picture form the angle you described when I get home later.
I'm quite stoked that included with the lathe are original Myford cutting tools in mirrored pairs. It might not be a rarity, but they look as if they are the ones he purchased when I picked up the lathe when new.

I'll start a new thread with pictures and hopefully get some information about some of the accessories.

I'm going to pick up new belts after work, and I'm going for traditional V-belts and not the out of place modern looking link belts even though they may be a little better

Edited By Hakon Halldorsson on 27/08/2018 17:13:10

Edited By Hakon Halldorsson on 27/08/2018 17:15:16