Myford VMB mill, head lift.

This topic has 16 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 9 October 2025 at 21:03 by lctikka61.

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26 August 2025 at 09:40 #813872
lctikka61
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@lctikka61
New member from Australia.

Myford VMB mill or clone.

The head lift is very slow via the fine feed handle, has anyone fitted crank handle to the top of the lift feed screw to speed up head movement. Would this be feasible or mechanically possible, with the fine turn mechanism engaged.
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26 August 2025 at 10:39 #813894
John Haine
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@johnhaine32865
You’d have to modify the feed to disengage the worm. It is a pain, at one stage I tried fitting a motor drive particularly for boring. A crank handle at the top would also interfere with removing the belt cover to change speed.

One mod I have made is to fit a 3 phase motor, using what was the intermediate pulley on the motor and eliminating the 2 stage drive. Uses a link belt. Speed changing is so much easier!
26 August 2025 at 20:41 #814044
Alan Wood 4
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@alanwood4
https://altrish.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Fitting-XYZ-motor-feeds-to-Myford-VMB-v4.pdf

I still have PCBs.

Alan
30 August 2025 at 10:20 #814428
lctikka61
Participant
@lctikka61
Update

I have answered my question.

By turning the lift lead screw, the head moves easy & the fine feed handle turns freely with no sign of binding.

The fine feed is 10:1, turning direct on the feed screw raises the 5mm (pitch) per turn.

Now to devise a connection adaptor at the screw top, turning by hand is ideal.
31 August 2025 at 10:04 #814574
Michael Gilligan
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@michaelgilligan61133
On 26 August 2025 at 20:41 Alan Wood 4 Said:

https://altrish.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Fitting-XYZ-motor-feeds-to-Myford-VMB-v4.pdf

I still have PCBs.

Alan

A very useful write-up Alan .. . thanks

Whilst I have no immediate need for such a system, I have grabbed a copy for my education.

MichaelG.
31 August 2025 at 17:55 #814666
John Haine
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@johnhaine32865
<p style=”text-align: left;”>It looks to me that it would be hard to reach the handwheel when it’s at the top of its range? Also on mine it seems very hard to back drive the worm.</p>
31 August 2025 at 19:11 #814671
Waggonerman
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@waggonerman
I just use an old Battery Drill with a Socket Adapter to 1/4” Hex, engage with the Elevating Handwheel Spindle Nuts.

Dead easy, really fast repositioning moves with fine feed by hand to the desired height.

waggonerman.
31 August 2025 at 22:45 #814698
lctikka61
Participant
@lctikka61
The aim is to have rapid head movement and reduce the number of loaded cycles, wear & tear on the fine feed mechanism.

A step will enable me to reach the new lift handle once the head is high.
26 September 2025 at 12:49 #817472
John Haine
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@johnhaine32865
Was this successful please?
29 September 2025 at 14:00 #817896
lctikka61
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@lctikka61
I’m about to make a clamp on handle, so TBA.
29 September 2025 at 17:03 #817951
John Haine
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@johnhaine32865
Ok, thanks, interested in how you do that and the results.
8 October 2025 at 07:17 #819293
lctikka61
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@lctikka61
The rapid movement handle on the head screw is made & functional. Can just feel the fine feed worm engage the screw through the new handle. The pin type grub screw was positioned through the thread into the shaft 3mm, 8mm from the screw top, cut with a 6mm slot mill. Total travel is now 55 turns versus 550. Can give details if wanted or PM.
8 October 2025 at 14:42 #819361
John Haine
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@johnhaine32865
Thanks for the photo. Could you clarify – “…the shaft 3mm, 8mm from the screw top, cut with a 6mm slot mill…” please? Did you remove the screw to mill or otherwise how did you guide the cutter? Was the screw hardened?
9 October 2025 at 13:07 #819532
lctikka61
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@lctikka61
9 October 2025 at 16:50 #819559
John Haine
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@johnhaine32865
Thanks Lawrie, all clear now. Using the threaded hole in the top of the screw to clamp the collar on so the grub screw hole can guide the cutter – neat.
9 October 2025 at 17:33 #819567
Diogenes
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@diogenes
..as ‘further clarifications’ go, that’s a very neat reply.. 👍
9 October 2025 at 21:03 #819589
lctikka61
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@lctikka61
Pics do tell a 1000 words.

One word missing on the drawing title is “RAPID” Lift.
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