ML10 – ready for the boneyard?

[IgnatzParticipant @ignatz]

Martin,

You do have a point. Layout blue is cheap and, yes, I could make scrapers out of old files. Still, I wouldn't feel comfortable without at least a long, precision ground straight edge as the minimum reference tool…. something like the Veritas precision straight edge **LINK**

Even then, considering that I have absolutely zero experience with scraping I wouldn't have confidence in myself to necessarily improve the situation, that for a whole bunch of reasons.

So I'm not thinking to try that at the moment. Nevertheless, it does remain an option. Thank you.

[RevStewParticipant @revstew]

In reality, what would such wear affect? Say you're making a small steam engine, is the piston not going to fit or something? How precise to you need to be as hobbyists rather than professionals. And do super precise toolroom lathes never wear?

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

Even if you do have to send it to the scrap yard,dont feel too bad about it,since it wont be alone.There will be plenty of others to keep it company,there may even be a special section for clapped out Myfords,although scrap men are not very understanding people,they see scrap as scrap,full stop !

Many moons ago,I was looking for a wood planing machine,second hand,and if you saw some of the junk being offered for sale,you,de get sick. Most of what I saw was little better than badly damaged scrap,at silly money.

I walked away and bought a brand new machine for little more than that being asked for the junk. That was in 1994 and that machine is still in perfect order. So I say,dont bother with something that,s clapped out,get something that works and just get on with using it.

Life is too short !

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

So if you do get to the scrap it stage. Why don't you have a go with the scraper and see what you can do.

There can only be 2 results. You will either be surprised at what you can acheive or convince yourself that you never want to attempt it again. If you consider the lathe as scrap you arnt going to loose anything in having a go.

regards Martin

[IgnatzParticipant @ignatz]

Larry, Martin,

You have both offered good words of advice. A new lathe may be the better choice for me in the long run, but the current model – even if somewhat disappointing relative to what I had hoped for – has provided a wealth of experience that I otherwise would never have acquired… in no small measure as a result of all the kind feedback to this thread.

I'm not certain about tackling the whole bed with a scraper, Martin, but I did notice that the extreme tightness of the carriage as it approaches the headstock may be due to an area on the front corner of the bed way that might have taken a sharp knock, thus raising the metal the merest bit. I put some blue marker on that spot and, sure enough, it was worn away in just one little spot as the carriage passes over it. I think I'll grind down an old file and invest in a tin of machinist bluing and have a go at just that one area… and maybe give some attention across that area of the bed Seems a safe enough way to get my feet wet with scraping.

[Author]

Posts