Myford ML2 Drive

Advert

Myford ML2 Drive

Home Forums Workshop Tools and Tooling Myford ML2 Drive

Viewing 11 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #350755
    Paul Bishop 4
    Participant
      @paulbishop4

      Evening everybody. Bought an ML2 to restore. Not too bad condition. Has flat belt drive on spindle. I've bought a second hand 3 phase motor which I'm going to put a vsd on. As flat belt pulleys are like hens teeth, what are your thoughts on using an A type V pulley and a 12mm Fenner power flex type belt on the centre of the spindle flat pulley? I know its not an ideal solution but considering the fastest speed recommended for the ML2, I think it would be ok. Searched and searched but nothing I can find. Thanks for any responses in anticipation.

       

      Edited By Paul Bishop 4 on 19/04/2018 19:10:53

      Advert
      #18905
      Paul Bishop 4
      Participant
        @paulbishop4
        #350756
        John Rudd
        Participant
          @johnrudd16576

          So why not make your own flat belt pulley? Cast iron or aluminium…..

          Assuming you have access to another lathe…

          #350763
          Paul Bishop 4
          Participant
            @paulbishop4

            I would John if A) I was skilled enough B) If my other lathe had a big enough chuck. Was hoping my fix would suffice until I managed to source either the motor pulley, or the v belt pulley for the spindle

            #350764
            Georgineer
            Participant
              @georgineer

              Vee-flat drives using a conventional V-belt are an accepted way of driving – my ML4 has a flat countershaft pulley and a vee pulley on the motor, and it has worked without problems for nearly 50 years. However, I suspect that using a cogged belt like the Powerflex would cause vibration issues as the cogs make contact with the surface of the flat pulley.

              George

              #350768
              Paul Bishop 4
              Participant
                @paulbishop4

                Maybe I'll try a normal v belt first. Do you notice much wear on the belt?

                #350794
                Michael Gilligan
                Participant
                  @michaelgilligan61133

                  I would put a poly-vee pulley on the motor, and let the poly-vee belt drive the flat pulley on the lathe.

                  … It has worked for me in the past, and is common practice on washing machines & tumble driers.

                  MichaelG.

                  .

                  [yes, I know; the diameter, and therefore the length of wrap, is much greater on the domestic appliances]

                  #350797
                  Hopper
                  Participant
                    @hopper

                    +1 on Michael G's suggestion for Poly V belt running on flat pulley. I replaced the flat belt on my old Drummond M-type, similar machine to the ML2, with a poly V belt and it runs on the old flat pulleys very, very well. No slippage problem at all. You can probably get a poly v pulley from a car wreckers' yard off a car air con compressor etc that could be adapted. Or just turn one up from ally.

                    #350814
                    Martin Johnson 1
                    Participant
                      @martinjohnson1

                      Back in the day (about 50 years now) I had an ML2 driven direct from a 1450 rpm motor by flat belt onto the headstock. Absolutely dire!

                      I built a countershaft unit hinged at the back of the bed with motor hanging off the rear, V belt drive up to countershaft. I modified the lathe to V belt pulleys by turning the cast iron flat belt pulleys off to leave a parallel sleeve, then loctited a multi step picador pulley onto the remaining sleeve. It worked OK. I later grafted a clutch onto the countershaft which saved a lot of motor stop / starting.

                      If I was doing the job today, I would use Poly V belts, J section, you would only need 4 groove pulleys and they could easily be turned into the existing cast iron pulley. You will need to beg / borrow / steal another lathe to the turning though.

                      A little warning – my ML2 had the cross slide feed screw graduated at 80 thou., but the screw was actually 12 tpi giving 83 thou advance per turn. This caused quite a few scrappers until I worked out what was happening and made a 12.5 TPI screw and tap. In hindsight, I should have made it 20 TPI, and re-made the micrometer collar with 50 divisions.

                      Hope that helps.

                      Martin

                      #350964
                      Paul Bishop 4
                      Participant
                        @paulbishop4

                        Thanks Martin. I've now ended up with 2 ML2's, so going to experiment. I have a (shock horror) chinese lathe so should be able to make parts on that for now for the ML2.

                        I'd like to put a countershaft system on. I have to see if I can attach to the lathe, or else mount behind the lathe. Fun to be had. Solution challenges come to mind.

                        #350975
                        Brian Wood
                        Participant
                          @brianwood45127

                          Martin,

                          The 12 TPI tool slide feed screws were also a feature on the ML4 lathes, Myford in their wisdom at the time thought that was 'close enough' for most work; I quote from the handbook issued with the lathes.

                          Regards

                          Brian

                        Viewing 11 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
                        • Please log in to reply to this topic. Registering is free and easy using the links on the menu at the top of this page.

                        Advert

                        Latest Replies

                        Viewing 25 topics - 1 through 25 (of 25 total)
                        Viewing 25 topics - 1 through 25 (of 25 total)

                        View full reply list.

                        Advert

                        Newsletter Sign-up