Myford Lathe ML4

[Barry SwerdlowParticipant @barryswerdlow47329]

The red handle shown in the 2nd picture became quite tight to turn even after loosening the side screws…. Then as I tried to turn the handle opposite so saddle comes towards me it just unscrews off. I tried tightening the nut against the handle and it just does the same.

Any suggestions?

[Barry SwerdlowParticipant @barryswerdlow47329]

Faulty saddle feed

[Jeff DaymanParticipant @jeffdayman43397]

Suggestions:

1. Switch to metalwork…..

2. Is there a hole in the red handle's centre ball that used to have a taper pin or setscrew and now doesn't?

[GeorgineerParticipant @georgineer]

The ball handle never had any other fixing than friction against the lock nut (which is normally part of the micrometer dial). Shouldn't normally need anything more.

Possibilities:

1. The locknut/dial has become screwed up against the vertical unpainted plate, jamming the leadscrew which has a tiny shoulder and a fiddling little washer behind the plate. Slacken the locknut/dial off a bit. The ideal setting gives enough slack for the leadscrew to run nicely but not enough to give noticeable backlash in the cross slide.

2. The leadscrew thread hasn't been oiled in generations and/or is choked up with wood dust. Run oil in behind the micrometer dial. Use a spouty oil can to squirt oil up onto the leadscrew from underneath. This is easiest if you can run the cross slide out towards you as far as possible. The point where the thread enters the saddle casting is the most important.

3. Something has jammed the slides of the cross slide. When you slacken the side screws (gib adjusters) can you make side-to-side or twisting movements of the cross slide? The dovetailed ways should be oiled as well.

It's not difficult to dismantle the cross slide to check, clean and set up again. Take off the topslide assembly – one nut behind the toolpost. There should be a bolt in the quadrant slot, but it looks as though that is missing. Undo the screws in the vertical unpainted plate (that will be the most difficult bit without chewing up the slots. Us a proper meaty screwdriver). Unscrew the leadscrew assembly from the saddle. Slide the cross slide off the saddle, catching the gib strip before it falls on the floor. Make sure you mark the gib strip so you can put it in the same way again.

Ask again if it doesn't make sense!

George

[Barry SwerdlowParticipant @barryswerdlow47329]

Hehe, well I do a lot of small precision woodwork and cant afford another decent lathe.

No hole in the centre ball handle

[Barry SwerdlowParticipant @barryswerdlow47329]

Many thanks Georgineer I will try all your suggestions in the morning

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

As pointed out, your machine is indignant at being asked to work with The Brown Stuff. But seriously, it's possible that you have got sawdust in its critical parts which have absorbed the lube oil and clogged up the ways and screw.

Remove the 2 screws so that the front plate comes off, then slide the cross slide off the saddle, plate and all. If I understand correctly, you should then be able to see everything and figure out the issue. Clean, oil and reassemble.

Worst case, it's possible the nut is almost worn through and the leadscrew has jammed in what remains of it – sounds like a possibility here….

Murray

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Almost certainly the slide clogged with sawdust. A good clean out should do it. You might also think about putting a shield over that open-frame electric motor right behind the chuck before it fills with flammable material…

Edited By Hopper on 21/11/2017 06:48:18

[Barry SwerdlowParticipant @barryswerdlow47329]

Thank you all for your reply's Im about to try and sort it out now.

(Yes I will sort a shield out for the motor,thanks)

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

It isn't just sawdust that will cause problems when it gets into a motor!

Some Ali swarf found its way into the centrifugal switch on the ML7 motor, and nearly caused terminal (in all senses!) damage. VERY fortunately a local motor repair shop were able, on New years Day eve, to clean it up and restore to working order. A cover, allowing air to enter for ventilation, but no more swarf, prevented further problems.

Howard

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Worst mistake I ever made in my workshop – using a router in it!

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Yes, done that – never again!

IanT

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