www.mikes-models.com blog

Well I am pleased to say the Myford ML7 lathe refurbishment and rebuild has been completed! My first piece of metal bar has been turned (see photo) successfully if nervously.

My first piece of metal turned following its refurbishment and rebuild

There are a few items still to be done but other than bolting the lathe down, they are just adjustments. Such as the main motor belt guard is catching the large pulley somewhere and the gear guard won’t go on because of the top filling/storage cabinet doesn’t give enough clearance when the gears are fitted.

I also have decided to make a new steel tool post and holder system as I have on my other lathe and two new gear studs as fitted to my ML10 and later ML7 lathes. Then there are the drawers and front door for the bench below and that should be about it. None of which stops me from using the lathe however the next job will be to bolt the lathe down and use the test procedure to make sure the lathe turns true before any serious work is started or done. However I must admit to a little smile at the smooth cutting of the aluminum……….

Today started with the fitting of the parts recently arrived from Myford (although some will have to go back as they are not correct). Starting with the fitting of the saddle and using the clever shims that cost around £5 each! Malcolm, from Myford told me when I ordered the parts that the shims come apart at around 0.015” a layer. They are separated by flicking the edge of the shim and then the layer pulled off. To shim the saddle you start at the back right hand side and using a dial indicator measure how much movement you get if trying to lift the saddle. The aim is to get under 0.0015” movement all around. The first attempt saw the saddle fit within the tolerance level set, however when trying to move the saddle the length of the available lathe bed, it became stiff when moving toward the tailstock. My immediate thought was the bed being worn more than I thought. Before making any further adjustments I remembered that I had only adjusted the saddle gib strip approximately and after a proper adjustment the saddle moved freely across its range with only about 0.001” movement of the saddle on the right hand front side.

The Myford ML7 shim, tear off 1.5 thou a time

Using DTI to gauge the shim size to fit under the saddle

With the saddle adjustment made the next job was to adjust the top slide and cross slide and then with a little trepidation I chucked some bar and made the cuts. I have enjoyed the refurbishment although I will be glad to get back to making the Seal 4 cylinder engine but that may have to wait for a few days since I will be helping my brother, Steve, with sorting our fishing boat out after all the smoke and oil that escaped from the engine after our last trip!

If you want to know more follow this link to our Dartmouth fishing site. If you are considering refurbishing your Myford then all I would say is go for it! Malcolm and Sarah at Myfords are a great help.