Myford ML4 Identification

This topic has 3 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 1 October 2026 at 21:05 by Steven Volz.

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1 October 2026 at 10:53 #867359
Steven Volz
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@stevenvolz60568
Hello. I’m new to the forum and have a Myford ML4 which I would like to add to Jon Cameron’s archive.

The serial number is D2638, stamped on the underside of the tailstock and on top of the bed at the tailstock end. It has the older, unsatisfactory tailstock.

However, the mandrel appears to be 1⅛x12 and it has vee belt pulleys. The headstock has a painted-over grub screw on each bearing, which I presume is for locking a bronze bush.

Most of the machined surfaces have been scraped, which may or may not be the original factory finish.

I would be interested if anybody could take a stab at its age. AI says it’s 1945/6, but, given the tailstock, that’s probably wildly incorrect.
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1 October 2026 at 20:07 #867438
Martin Johnson 1
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@martinjohnson1
Might even be my old one! I converted it to V belt drive (to stop the flat belt slipping) and scraped it all up (so saddle and cross slide would actually go the full travel without resorting to gorilla tactics) . I do recall the tailstock was pretty rubbish and would lose it’s setting just by cranking the clamp up.

Martin
1 October 2026 at 20:21 #867439
JA
Participant
@ja
I had an early Myford which was far better than its appearance. I don’t think the serial number will mean anything now since I am under the impression Myford ignored their earlier lathes after the success of the ML7. However you should take a look at lathes.co.uk which a fabulous website.

JA
1 October 2026 at 21:05 #867442
Steven Volz
Participant
@stevenvolz60568
Martin, I bought it in Cornwall about 20 years ago. It does get uncomfortably tight towards the tailstock. I like the scraping.

Myford’s cavalier attitude towards serial numbers is a shame.
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Myford ML4 Identification

Myford ML4 Identification

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