ML7 gearbox unsuitable for the ML4, the use of the saddle is possible but limited without an accurate measuring system or leadscrew dial.

An ML4 is an entry level unit not worth any serious upgrading work

Good enough to learn on though, and you can fix any wobbly bits

After a year or two if you get serious you'll realise this

Spareys book is the bible for newbies, all newcomers should get this book

**LINK**

Hi Kevin

I've had an ML4 and ML S7. I doubt that any parts are interchangeable. For a start the sides of the bed for the ML4 are trangular and the bed width is less than the 7 hence there is no chance of the saddle parts being interchangeable, The leadscrew handwheel is the way for a fine feed. I see from Ady's pic that he has one fitted. There wasn't one with mine but there was a nut on the RH end of the leadscrew which I was able to replace with a piece of tapped rod on which to mount a handwheel. I remember leaving the gear off the other end of the lead screw to enable use of the handwheel. I don't think the idea of adapting a 7 gearbox is worth considering and I doubt anyway that it could be made to fit.. The cost of even a S/H gearbox  from a scrap machine via ebay is likely to be more than a small, brand new, eastern manufactured lathe.

Set up the handwheel as mentioned and enjoy learning to use your machine. You will learn a lot and, if you are carefull with it, in time if you have ambitions to trade up, you will be able to sell it again to help fund your next lathe.

* I seem to remember that the saddle traverse pinion operated directly on the rack hence the handwheel had to be turned in the opposite direction to normal – am I remembering correctly?

Regards

Norman

Edited By NJH on 08/10/2012 18:55:45

Edited By NJH on 08/10/2012 18:59:24

Kevin,

http://www.usinages.com/manuels-documentations-machines-outils-disponibles/index-des-documentations-machines-outils-accessoires-t25730.html

Scroll down to "Myford" then dowload :

1 _" Myford pignonnerie" an explanation of change gears for Series 7 lathes + ML10

2_"Myford ML4 manual" a succint manual for the ML4 with a threading chart a the end

For the set-up remove all gears, then start from the lead-screw, inserting a strip of copy

paper between the gear teeth (remove prior use).

brgds

pierre

Sorry for resurecting an old thread. Which would be the best handles to use on the ML4. I’ve just bought the same lathe.

Are RDG still a good supplier for a suitable handle? I can confirm that disengagine the gears from the spindle, small nut to adjust. And engaging handle, on the left of the apron allows the saddle to be traversed with a lot more dexterity. The rack handle for the saddle is something I want to address but I’m still trying to figure it out, there isn’t enough room to turn the rack the other way around, which would give an intuative feed from the saddle.

Thank you Hopper, I’ll look into that

Thank you Norman,

Like I said at the worst I can use a handle on the lead screw, if it really starts to annoy me