Trilever lathe

[Stewart MillsParticipant @stewartmills34947]

Myford trilever lathe.

Hi all was considering a trilever lathe is there any problems with this lathe as I have seen one for sale but it has had no takers and has been up for sale for some time.

thanks.

Stewart

[parovozParticipant @parovoz]

Obviously, check this out……. From the usual font of all knowledge  🙂

 

https://www.lathes.co.uk/myfordtrileva/

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

I would not pay a premium for a trilever over an identical lathe with manual belt change. It’s a little more complex and heavier than a standard  but not a problem.
The overall condition of the lathe is much more important. Any additional parts and accessories help too.

 

Robert.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

The interest in the trilever sort of subsided when far eastern gear heads became affordable, that’s all.

[Clive Brown 1Participant @clivebrown1]

As pointed out in the link above, in it’s day the Tri-Leva was quite expensive and tended to appeal to buyers who had a commercial use for the lathe, with perhaps heavier wear than usual. A s/h machine needs to be considered in that light.

[Dave WoottonParticipant @davewootton]

I had a Tri-Leva ML7 for many years, I bought a new old stock conversion kit to convert my lathe as it was at the time a cheaper alternative to a clutch, which was also available as a conversion kit. I used it with every satisfaction for well over 20 years on everything from 5″ Brit driving wheels to attempting to make injectors (no they didn’t work very well, no fault of the lathe!). If the basic machine is in good condition then it is a very convenient and worthwhile addition, quick speed changes and no stopping and starting the motor frequently.

[Ramon WilsonParticipant @ramonwilson3]

Hello Stewart

I too had a Tri-lever ML7 before my S7. I fitted it myself and always considered it a worthwhile improvement – it certainly helps with not having to constant stop and start the motor. Personally, I’m sure  if such an accessory had been available for my S7 I would have done likewise too. Until, that is, I fitted a VFD drive.

It’s the condition of the lathe itself that matters – a fitted Tri Lever, if it is in good state, is a bonus indeed

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

There are five Trilevas within a ten mile radius of me and none of them have been used commercially oh and Tugs that is another 10 miles away!!

[Frank GorseParticipant @frankgorse]

I’m about to advertise mine too,if anyone’s interested. 2speed motor, minimal wear  to bed,accessories by negotiation. New trileva belts North Wales.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

The extra complexity of the Tri-Leva is a negative, though that wouldn’t put me off if it’s in good condition and cheap!   The belt changer and two-speed motor aren’t mainstream.  Read what lathes.co.uk says.  Note the cracked mounting plate problem.

Tri-Leva’s exist because there’s a problem with single-phase motors, notably they don’t like stop-start operation, and can’t change speed. (And more…)

One way of avoiding stop-start operation is a clutch, and I think the Tri-Leva provides that.  Speed control is usually provided in fixed ratios by manually swapping a belt between pulleys, which is a bit of a pain.   As belt changing is a time-waster if it has to be done a lot, the Tri-Leva makes belt changing easy to do, but it’s more to go wrong!

Myford used single-phase motors because in 1947 they were the only easy way of powering a lathe from an ordinary domestic power supply. Today electronics provide better alternatives:  lathes can have speed controlled DC, 3-phase, or brushless DC  motors, all of which are more suitable than a single-phase motor.   Thus the need for belt-changing is much diminished, and I doubt anyone would make a Tri-Leva style belt-changer today.

Belts are still useful because they multiply torque and are quieter than gears.  Quite common for Far Eastern hobby lathes to come with electronic speed control and a two speed belt providing high and low speed ranges.  My lathe goes from below 30rpm up to nearly 3000rpm, with one belt change in the middle.  It’s a different compromise: changing the belt is a nuisance, but in practice I rarely need to.   Apart from screw-cutting, I mostly run on the high speed belt-setting, between 250 and 3000rpm.

In short, the TriLeva is for workshops that have to make frequent speed changes, but a better answer in 2025 is to fit an ordinary lathe with a VFD and 3-phase motor.  A complicated mechanical unit and a 2-speed single-phase motor aren’ smart today – it’s not 1956!  So I wouldn’t pay over the odds for a Tri-Leva. The march of time has taken the Tri-Leva from being a definite positive to a mild negative.  Not a deal breaker though.

What do you expect to do though?  If the work doesn’t require a lot of speed changing, then the Tri-Leva is just more to go wrong.  And if the work calls for a lot of speed changing, then there are better alternatives.  However, I suspect most workshops are in the middle, where a lightly loaded Tri-Leva wouldn’t cause trouble by breaking down, and would provide perfectly good service across 3 speeds.

In my opinion, the condition of a secondhand lathe matters far more than the brand or Model.  Forget it was made by Myford and is a Tri-Leva.  They don’t matter if the bed is worn, or the bearings are shot, or the motor smokes, or the electrics are unsafe!  The best way to identify problems is to have the lathe cut metal.  Check the controls work smoothly across the full range, it cuts straight, and there are no electrical tingles, overheating or nasty noises.  A beginner problem is spotting the difference between a dirty well-maintained lathe and one that’s been tarted up with paint and abrasives.  The premium prices paid for Myfords in the past attracted bad behaviour, though this seems less likely today, perhaps because demand is dropping.  Or maybe the internet is making buyers more savvy.  Dunno.

Dave

 

[bernard towers]

On bernard towers Said:

There are five Trilevas within a ten mile radius of me and none of them have been used commercially oh and Tugs that is another 10 miles away!!

Oh Mine’s long gone Bernard – sold it after I bought my Super 7. A young chap from Southwold if I recall correct.  Crikey, just realised that was near fifty years ago😲

[Author]

Posts