Myford Ml7

This topic has 8 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 13 January 2016 at 07:32 by Bazyle.

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12 January 2016 at 20:49 #220789
Darren Baillie
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@darrenbaillie48839
I recently bought a ML7 to do some small turning jobs for some other projects i am working on and have the ability to make spacers and little bits that i normally have to get from evilbay or pay my local machine shop to make .

After wasting some stock trying to learn thinking it was the tool or me.. or the lathe i finally found i had been supplied with the wrong tool post (see picture)

Now i could just go and buy the correct one .. but thats to easy 😛 Can anyone tell me correct thickness of the bottom plate for a ML7 ?

Regards

Darren
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12 January 2016 at 20:49 #7966
Darren Baillie
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@darrenbaillie48839
Wrong tool post
12 January 2016 at 20:57 #220791
John Stevenson 1
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@johnstevenson1
There is no 'correct' thickness, it all depends on the size of the tool you are using.

If the one in the picture is 1/2" then dropping to 3/8" will cure all the problems.

Seriously think about getting a quick change toolpost as these 4 way things are very limiting.
12 January 2016 at 22:55 #220809
Robbo
Participant
@robbo
Darren,

The tool holder is probably the "right" size, but the tool is too big. The original Myford 4-way toolpost was designed to take 5/16" tools. Bigger tools were catered for by a different holder system..
13 January 2016 at 00:16 #220817
Darren Baillie
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@darrenbaillie48839
hmm the tools i have are 12mm .. and 5/16th are about 8mm and its about 4mm out .. nice job robbo
13 January 2016 at 00:57 #220820
stevetee
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@stevetee
Even when you get smaller tooling , you still have to faff about getting the top of the tool exactly at the centre of the job, so it cuts right, there is no tool that's just right straight from the shop. You have to shim under the tool with thin shims or bits of sheet metal to bring the nose of the tool up to the right height. If it's too high, you are stuffed as I discovered with my ML10 , I'm now on 1/4 " thick tools with the quick change toolpost.

Edited By stevetee on 13/01/2016 00:58:34
13 January 2016 at 05:30 #220821
Martin King 2
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@martinking2
Hi Darren,

I have been EXACTLY in your shoes when I got my ML7! Bite the bullet and get a Quick Change Tool Post. It makes machining fun instead of a real chore! 8mm tooling for ML7 is right. I bought some 10mm in error and had to mill the bottoms by 2mm.

Rgards,

Martin
13 January 2016 at 06:04 #220824
Hopper
Participant
@hopper
Blimey, I don't know what all the complaining about 4-way toolposts is for. I just made a four-way for my old Drummond and it's a giant step forward from the old Norman patented toolpost that took only one toolbit and had to be reset to centre hieght every time you either changed toolbit or changed the angle of approach of the current toolbit.

Four toolbits in place, each shimmed to correct height: that's luxury that is.
13 January 2016 at 07:32 #220827
Bazyle
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@bazyle
I think you need to get a book for beginners. There have been several threads on here recommending some. It will tell you a lot more that you obviously need to know, You may be able to find 'know your lathe' free online somewhere.

Getting the tool on centre is just the start that the book would have told you. You only need 1/4 inch fool bits for a small lathe like the Myford so get HSS tool blanks and a grinder. It is quite easy and a bit of preparation will give you a better finish. Shimming to height is easy with bits of scrap, bits of tins and even hard plastic like CD cases.
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