Myford 254 Plus toolpost type

[Diy AddictParticipant @diyaddict]

There's an original 254 saddle stop on eBay at the moment. At and eye-watering price, but might give you an idea how to make one.

[Dave WoottonParticipant @davewootton]

Just some feedback on toolposts and the new to me 254 plus, I've used it now for a few days with the T00 sized Dixon toolpost and holders from the ML7-R ( this is a combination of Bison and A&R Precision). Despite my reservations about the size of the toolholders for the size of the lathe it has coped extremely well with some fairly chunky backplate turning and another job involving some horrible intermittent cutting.

I've decided to stick with the Dixon post, a decision partly made because I notice R.D.Barret tools are having a sale on genuine Bison toolholders at present, so will stock up on a few more of those. Still think the toolpost looks too small for a big lathe, and this applies also to the only suitable Multifix clone the AS size, but as it works ok I think I'll leave it as it is. Whatever toolpost is fitted the small distance between centre height and top of cross slide limits tool size when used in a toolholder. I do have a T1 size post and a couple of holders somewhere, and in the future might make a solid block to replace the top slide

One of the next things to make for the lathe is a saddle stop I feel lost without one, but I do find the graduated saddle handwheel very useful. Thanks for the useful replies to my original question, they did help in making a decision.

Dave

[Chris CrewParticipant @chriscrew66644]

Personally, having made one years ago for an ML7-R, I think the GHT rear parting tool-post is awful. As with all GHT designs, it is 'flimsy'', difficult to adjust to the correct working height both in construction and use because of the angled blades and not particularly aesthetically pleasing either. Having been mightily disappointed by it after a week's worth of construction time, not to mention the cost of the castings etc., which were then supplied by Reeves, I bought an OEM Myford rear tool-post and found it to be very satisfactory, although I don't use the 'boat' to adjust tool height. For my Student I fabricated, as near as I could get to the OEM design, the Colchester rear tool-post and I have easily parted 6" noggins of mild steel for Myford back-plates and gear blanks with it, so perhaps making a cross between the two types would suit the 254, although I am not familiar with this lathe.

[lfoggyParticipant @lfoggy]

When I purchased my 254, I specified both the solid and quick-change rear toolposts as below. To be honest I rarely use them. Sometimes useful for screwcutting backwards but otherwise they just get in the way. With the advent of indexable parting tools, the advantage of rear mounted parting tools seems to be minimal. I wouldn't bother. A better mod is the solid front toolpost..

[254markParticipant @254mark]

Im Just about make a sleeve to mount a pe we tools AS size toolpost to my 254plus

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Can’t see picture

[DiogenesParticipant @diogenes]

..been consigned to the digital netherworld for some years I think Duncan..

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Ah, didn’t get spot the date

[Dave WoottonParticipant @davewootton]

Interesting to see this post resurrected after so long, as the original poster I thought a bit of an update would be in order. In the end I did find the Dixon toolpost a bit restrictive for some of the existing tooling I have and bought a Pe-We tools AS size Multifix clone and holders, in quite intensive use for some years now and no regrets at all.

I did make a fairly simple saddle stop which has also proved very useful ( if there is any interest I could post some pictures). The 254+ has proved to be a capable machine and there are no plans to change it.

Dave

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Photos/details of saddle stop please, it’s been on my todo list for too long

[Dave WoottonParticipant @davewootton]

Hopefully pictures self explanatory, just milled from an offcut of BMS, with a little brass pressure pad retained by the two sliding pins, and a commercial cap head. If I were to make it again I would make the two silver steel stop pins sticking out of the side a bit longer as swarf does build up ahead of the saddle when removing serious amounts of metal and gets a bit jammed in front of the saddle before it contacts the stop pins, never actually caused a problem in use but a worthwhile mod. One of the pics shows how it stows out of the way against the headstock when not in use. hope this is of use. i could attempt a drawing but it would be in crayon not CAD! 

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Thanks

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