What to look out for?

[Russell Jones 1Participant @russelljones1]

[Russell Jones 1Participant @russelljones1]

Hi all,

 

I am new to this forum and the world of model making but was looking to purchase a Myford ML7 lathe and re-kindle my passion for engineering. It’s been 20 years since I last used a lathe in anger and thought the Myford an ideal way to get back into it.

My question is when buying a used ML7, what shuold I be on the look out for in terms of “prone to wear” parts. I would obviously check the bed and lead-screw at the headstock end but any advice based on your experiences would be very much appreciated.

Thanks.

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Russell,

Good start guide here:-

 

http://www.lathes.co.uk/page2.html

John S.

[Russell Jones 1Participant @russelljones1]

Thanks for that John, i’ll take a look now.

[Russell Jones 1Participant @russelljones1]

The guide is very good and has some great pointers all of which make perfect sense but do you know if the Myford ML7 has any specific weak points. It looks like it has a headstock bearing in bronze, would wear in this area be a common problem an if so, would it be an expensive fix.

I appears that spares are still available for the ML7 so I suppose almost any issues can be addressed. What condition issues would make you walk away from a deal?

 

Thanks

Russell

[David LittlewoodParticipant @davidlittlewood51847]

Russell,

 

If you can afford a bit extra, you should consider a Super 7 rather than an ML7. It has several advantages; from memory: better headstock bearings, a much superior topslide, a longer cross-slide, and a leadscrew handwheel (which is an order of magnitude more accurate than using the saddle handwheel for precise turning to a shoulder). Probably others I have forgotten. Some of these improvements can be retro-fitted to an ML7, if you can find the bits, but by then you would probably have paid more than the price of a Super 7.

 

David (happy user of a Super 7 for 30 years)

Edited By David Littlewood on 11/02/2012 19:17:36

[Russell Jones 1Participant @russelljones1]

Thanks for that David,

 

Nothing quite like a personal endorsement to inspire confidence. The Super 7 sounds just right but maybe a little pricey for a newcomer like myself. Just out of interest, what would you expect to pay for a good condition Super 7..?

 

Russell

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi Russell

The Myford ML7 has whitemetal bearings.

Bronze was only used on the C7 capstan variant.

Later ML7Rs and Super 7s probably all have bronze at the front and ballraces at the back of the mandrel.

regards David

[David LittlewoodParticipant @davidlittlewood51847]

Russel,

 

I can only suggest you spend a few weeks looking at adverts and doing a few Google searches. From memory, I think you could probably find an old (no power cross feed, no gearbox) Super 7 for under £1000 or so if you looked hard, but expect to pay over £3000 for a late model Super 7B with gearbox and pxf. Price would normally be lower for a private sale, higher if buying from a dealer.

 

David

[Mark Foster 1Participant @markfoster1]

why no try a boxford, southbend ,Hercus . I find a myford just hard work. After a v bed lathe . Flat bed lathes tend to shy away from work .

 

[Russell Jones 1Participant @russelljones1]

Have considered other lathes but the Myford seems to combine good funtion with small-ish size. Historically i’ve worked on Colchester, Harrison and Ward capston lathes but the Myford has the advantage of strong spares support and because of their popularity, there’s no shortage of experienced people out there prepared to share their knowledge. I will look further into the Boxford range as they appear to be good value but the Super 7 would be my prefered choice. Bit more homework I think.

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