ML 4 rebuild

[Carl DorlingParticipant @carldorling51660]

Hi all I am rebuilding a myford ML 4 which is without a headstock. I have now bought a ML5 headstock which is a capstan version of the Ml 4 should I convert it to make a centre lathe or leave it as a capstan what's your thoughts?

[Carl DorlingParticipant @carldorling51660]

Headstock

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Carl,

No-one has replied, so I'll jump in where wiser heads have probably decided not to… Never seen an ML5 by the way but just given away my ML4.

I don't know what the differences in headstocks might be (?) – I tend to think of a centre lathe as having a cross-slide and a capstan some form of revolving and/or automatic tool changer and I wasn't aware that there might be differences in the headstocks (some form of special collet chuck on the capstan?).

But to answer your question – for most general work, I'd assume that a centre lathe would be preferred, unless you are planning some level of small batch production with this machine?

Regards,

IanT

[Carl DorlingParticipant @carldorling51660]

Hi thanks for the reply I'm not sure how to upload pics on here

[Carl DorlingParticipant @carldorling51660]

Hi photos of said item 4 and 5

[Carl DorlingParticipant @carldorling51660]

[Carl DorlingParticipant @carldorling51660]

Hope this helps

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Yes, I see what you mean Carl.

Looking at it – it seems your headstock has a lever-operated collet 'closer' on the read end – in other words work can be quickly changed by the operating the lever to open/close the collet – which makes sense for a capstan/turret lathe.

However, looking at this arrangement, I'm not sure that the collet chuck can be replaced with other chucks (3 & 4 jaw for instance) – it appears part ofthe spindle – which would limit its usefulness for general lathe work. Also just a single speed pulley at the moment (easier to rectify). So, some questions..

Can you remove the collet 'head' and it's operating lever from the spindle (or are they "one" piece?) and can you mount other chucks (or fit MT taper attachments) in its place. if so – great! If not – then either use it as is (got a selection of collets?) or perhaps replace the spindle with a more conventional one (prefereably with a Myford nose).

Regards,

IanT

[IanTParticipant @iant]

PS – and I guess those are the collets in the second photo…..

IanT

[Carl DorlingParticipant @carldorling51660]

Hi yes I can remove the collet chuck and fit a three or four jaw chuck so it has potential, the bore through the headstock is 3/4 " with no provision for fitting a morse centre

[Carl DorlingParticipant @carldorling51660]

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Then I think you have the basics of a good plain lathe there then Carl.

In terms of screw-cutting, the ML4 leadscrew is already fitted, so (assuming) the collet lever is also removable, then some form of banjo could probably be arranged to set up a gear cluster. You may not need this for screwcutting (for my size of work – taps and dies usually suffice) but a simple geared setup will provide a slow saddle feed – which is useful. If you don't already have the chucks – suitable blackplates will be needed to mount them – so hopefully the nose dimensions/thread will be a to an existing Myford size (or you will need access to a screwcutting lathe).

A better (3 step) pulley would help (you will also need a matching countershaft) with speed selection – and some form of backgear is also useful but not essential… Not having a spindle taper isn't the end of the world, partly because you have the collets available. Use the largest to hold (and machine in-situ) a soft centre and other "slave" devices – one to hold a drill chuck for instance and others such as small faceplates, mandrels, tapped holders for second operations etc.

And of course, if you can devise some form of simple tailstock or saddle mounted tool turret, then small part production will be possible – which is what the headstock was originally designed for.

So I hope this helps (if only a little) and encourages you to get the best from your new machine. Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

Regards,

IanT

[Carl DorlingParticipant @carldorling51660]

Thanks Ian , I have stripped the headstock down . The spindle thread is 1"/ 8th by 12tpi so no problems there but as I need to mount the headstock on the bed I have discovered that the centre line differs on both by about 4mm and the mounting holes don't line up !! How much of a problem will it be if the spindle centre and tail stock centre are not over the centre line of the bed .

[Carl DorlingParticipant @carldorling51660]

Photos of centre line problem

[Carl DorlingParticipant @carldorling51660]

[Carl DorlingParticipant @carldorling51660]

[Carl DorlingParticipant @carldorling51660]

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Hi Carl,

I don't think it's a problem – assuming of course that you can get the headstock and tailstock aligned correctly (in both axis). It clearly doesn't matter with respect to the cross-slide or toolholding etc.

If your tailstock can be off-set (e.g. for taper turning) then you should be able to adjust it to match the H/S in that plane (or worse case you may have to modify the T/S base) but I can't think off-hand of any other problems that couldn't be worked around.

Regards,

IanT

[Carl DorlingParticipant @carldorling51660]

Hi Ian well it's fitted all ok I think some work required to tidy up central stud hole , should be a better lathe than standard as it has very large bushes.

[Carl DorlingParticipant @carldorling51660]

[Carl DorlingParticipant @carldorling51660]

[Carl DorlingParticipant @carldorling51660]

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Coming along Carl…. well done.

Regards,

IanT

[Carl DorlingParticipant @carldorling51660]

Hi all just fitted a tumble reverse to the headstock, the position of the pre drilled hole means it's set slightly lower than normal so I need to fit a bigger gear could anyone measure a couple of myford gears say 30 to 38 the diameter would give me the information to make the right choice as I don't have the gears

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