Gray Meek’s Myford 7 series carriage handwheel.

[Dave WoottonParticipant @davewootton]

Having been asked what I want for Christmas, I’d rather like one of the above handwheels for my S7. I know I could make one from the drawing in Gray’s excellent book, but having seen the high standard of those produced by Steve Tracey rather covet the idea of one ready made (also have to live to at least 150 to finish all my projects!). I see they are available in metric from a company in Holland via Ebay, but an enquiry as to the availability of imperial ones has gone unanswered. Has anyone got any contact information for Steve Tracey or know if he still produces them. Any information gratefully received.

Many Thanks

Dave

I also realise I could fit a DRO, but whilst loving them on mills have never got on with them on lathes.

[Robert ButlerParticipant @robertbutler92161]

Steve Tracey still appears to be in business. i bought an Imperial handwheel several years ago and then fitted the Machine DRO kit to my S7. The handwheels are beautifully made but I thought DRO more useful and sold it. I found the wheel also covered a lubrication point and therefore to gain access the handwheel had to be removed and refitted each time.

Robert Butler

[GreensandsParticipant @greensands]

Can we have  a photo please?

[Dave WoottonParticipant @davewootton]

I’m afraid I don’t have one to photograph and have no idea how to lift a picture of one from the internet.

As you probably gather from the above I’m not very computery.

I have tried the company in the Netherlands again and they kindly replied, on a Sunday afternoon!, and have now sent a question to Steve via Ebay, hopefully he  will pick it up soon. Still quite a few sleeps until Christmas!

Dave

[Dave WoottonParticipant @davewootton]

Just for information in case anyone else it interested in purchasing a handwheel dial, Steve has been in touch and although not able to produce dials at present has put me on the waiting list for when he is able to resume making them, which may be some while away.

Thank you for the responses.

Dave

 

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Still wondering what these look like. Ebay seems to be awash with Myford handwheel/dials at about £56. Not that?

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

just google Graham Meeks S7 handwheel

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Bazyle,

Here’s the one I made.  The point is that it’s on the carriage so is geared to give a known increment per revolution on the rack.

However, I have no moved on to a DRO and find it extremely useful – far fewer mistakes in mis-reading dials.

Rod

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Thanks, very fine engraving on that but difficult to read without good lighting. The ones I like are the black on white of the Hardinge lathe – if only!

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

These are the commercially made ones for those that don’t seem to be able to search for themselves. No disrespect to Rod but their engraving looks a bit more defined, possibly filled with black. But if making one yourself there is no reason not to fit a ring of white material and fill in the engravings with black paint etc.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314046539966?itmmeta=01K8N1EJXJ9MTDS97BDH3CA3QB&hash=item491ea1e8be:g:r~sAAOSwhhZitGOC

They also make them for the leadscrew and do a lot of Myford parts on their website https://www.vintage-tools-machines.com/

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Bazyle

 

A previous discussion:

https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/topic/graham-meek-reduction-unit/#post-584774

MichaelG.

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

Vintage tools one is METRIC!!

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

The images of the metric one are good enough for those who wanted to see what the handwheel looked like. As the OP said Jans makes the metric version. Steeve’s image on ebay is rather dark and does not show it to best advantage.

 

Though for the cost a DRO would be worth considering, no backlash from the rack or gears within the handwheel and you only nee done DRO to do metric or imperial.

[Mike CrossfieldParticipant @mikecrossfield92481]

I made one of these 10 years ago, and it is one of the most useful accessories I have ever made. Can be made in a weekend if you have no distractions. I filled the engraving on mine with black paint, and I have no trouble reading it. I also made Gray’s tailstock micrometer dial, which is another great addition. Photos of both my dials below.

Mike

[Wade BeattyParticipant @wadebeatty78296]

Very nice wheels Mike, how did you get the numbers so nice? Punched?

[Mike Crossfield]

On Mike Crossfield Said:

I made one of these 10 years ago, and it is one of the most useful accessories I have ever made. Can be made in a weekend if you have no distractions. I filled the engraving on mine with black paint, and I have no trouble reading it. I also made Gray’s tailstock micrometer dial, which is another great addition. Photos of both my dials below.

Mike

Nice job Mike, They look as though they were always fitted to the lathe from new.

Regards

Gray,

 

Generally,

There is no backlash problem with either of the dials, internally there is adjustment to minimise any backlash. Also provided the Dials are adjusted in the direction of travel all the backlash on the Myford side of things is already taken up.

Regards

Gray,

[Wade Beatty]

On Wade Beatty Said:

Very nice wheels Mike, how did you get the numbers so nice? Punched?

I am fortunate to have a Taylor-Hobson pantographic engraving machine which I picked up very cheaply many years ago. A bit fiddly to set up, but produces nice results.

Mike

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