Myford/Drummond lathe Mod’s and information

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

I have been fiddling with my lathe to sort out a few niggles. The first was, if I drop anything down the first cast hole in the bed I have to go fishing with a torch, magnet on a stick or long tweezers as there is no bottom access so I made a cover plate from wood with a metal insert so it can be removed. The second was to make a bent spanner so I can change the gear ratio or screw cutting easier. the third was to actually measure the spindle speeds in all settings of pulley and back gear settings so I know all of them print a chart and laminate it. Here are a few pictures and the chart. Hope this is useful to someone.

David

600 RPM SPINDLE PULLY
MAIN DRIVE	BACK GEAR
850 RPM	100 RPM
600 RPM	70 RPM
400 RPM	50 RPM
330 RPM SPINDLE PULLY
450 RPM	50 RPM
300 RPM	40 RPM
200 RPM	20 RPM

 

 

 

 

 

Edited By JasonB on 18/05/2017 19:46:43

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Thanks for posting the info. I was scratching my head about the bent spanner until I saw the picture — I've never had a guard on mine! I like the plug for than !@#$%^& hole in the bed that small jobs always disappear down after parting off. Must make one for my M type.

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

I envy your the low speed ability, slowest my lathe will go is 82 RPM. Things get lively screw cutting course threads.

[john fletcher 1Participant @johnfletcher1]

I like your idea of sharing mods you have made to your lathe, very good. I do wonder about some peoples attitude when they find an error on a drawing, solve the problem and when asked to help an other person they say, I solved the problem now you do the same. Strange old world. John

[EugeneParticipant @eugene]

Agree about the wretched holes in the bed ….. I must get some of those wee plugs made up.

I added a second thrust bearing to the spindle in an effort to cure chatter, which was very successful. It's such a cheap and simple mod that I recommend doing it to all M Types. It enables you to take some really meaty cuts.

The only other mod I'm a bit anal about is getting shot of the commonly fitted Dewhurst on / off / reversing switch. When leaning across the machine to change the belt from one pulley to another my hip brushed the switch and turned the motor on. I wasn't hurt, though obviously I could have been, but I did ruin my trousers from the inside!

Eug

[EugeneParticipant @eugene]

Agree about the wretched holes in the bed ….. I must get some of those wee plugs made up.

I added a second thrust bearing to the spindle in an effort to cure chatter, which was very successful. It's such a cheap and simple mod that I recommend doing it to all M Types. It enables you to take some really meaty cuts.

The only other mod I'm a bit anal about is getting shot of the commonly fitted Dewhurst on / off / reversing switch. When leaning across the machine to change the belt from one pulley to another my hip brushed the switch and turned the motor on. I wasn't hurt, though obviously I could have been, but I did ruin my trousers from the inside!

Needle Roller Thrust Bearings

Eug

[Ian RobertsParticipant @ianroberts40159]

Strip of gaffer tape is the quick and easy solution to the hole in the bed, unless you're throwing large bits of metal about.

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

This is the control on my M type, I prefer it instead of Dewhurst switch.

David

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

I think it's good to have a push-button stop/start switch in addition to the Dewhurst or other reversing switch. Twofold advantage is the contacts in the reversing switch last much longer when they are not constantly arcing every time the motor is switched on or off. Plus it's safer, as you have found, when doing belt changes or other maintenance to have the Dewhurst in the off position and the stop/start button switched off as well. YOu have to try extra hard to switch both on at once — although Murphy says it is possible!

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Posted by Ian Roberts on 19/05/2017 09:43:41:

Strip of gaffer tape is the quick and easy solution to the hole in the bed, unless you're throwing large bits of metal about.

I melted holes in the vinyl aprons I put fore and aft of the carriage with hot swarf and had to go back to metal trarys, so reckon I will go with the metal/wood bung.

[geoff walker 1Participant @geoffwalker1]

Hi David,

Yes I've been there as well, good ideas, got the bent spanner and also some years ago made a cover for the bottomless abyss.

Unfortunately as I was fitting it in place it fell down the hole, not seen it since!!! ……must make another.

Also like your top slide dial, did you make it? and also the way you attach the Vertical slide to separate plate which then bolts down on the cross slide. Never really liked the single fixing on the early myford vertical slides, puts a lot of strain on the central tee slot.

regards geoff

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