Hi,

I'm a complete beginner looking to purchase a lathe. Mostly interested
in bowls, vases, vessels, etc, but will experiment with other things.
To learn on, I was planning on buying a Jet Mini VS. But a friend of a
friend recently said that he'd sell me his ML8. It is in good
condition and comes with several face plates. My first question is, is
one of the two lathes better than the other for a beginner (or just
better in general)? And the second is, if you wanted an ML8, what
would you pay for it? Searching the internet shows them selling for
anywhere from $150 to $1,800!

Thanks for your help.

On 14 Jul 2006 08:00:34 -0700, "me" wrote:

I'm a complete beginner looking to purchase a lathe. Mostly interested
in bowls, vases, vessels, etc, but will experiment with other things.
To learn on, I was planning on buying a Jet Mini VS. But a friend of a
friend recently said that he'd sell me his ML8. It is in good
condition and comes with several face plates. My first question is, is
one of the two lathes better than the other for a beginner (or just
better in general)? And the second is, if you wanted an ML8, what
would you pay for it? Searching the internet shows them selling for
anywhere from $150 to $1,800!

What little experience I have with the Myford (and that experience is
limited to drooling over it several times at Frog Tool Co in Chicago
20 years ago) is that they are not in the same class (I own a Jet
Mini, albeit not a VS).

With what little turning experience I had at the time, I thought the
ML8 was a pretty high end lathe. It has a "full length" (that is
something on the order of 36" or so between centers) bed and a swing
of 12"--that is, pretty much a standard size spindle lathe. I don't
remember the spindle size, either diameter/tpi or taper, but in any
event, I don't believe it was anything outrageously inconvenient.

Remember, this was in the days before Oneway, Stubby, Vega, Nova,
VicMark (maybe), Jet, etc. Frankly, at that point in my life I had
never seen a Delta or Powermatic tool of any kind, let alone one of
their lathes. So if I held it to a high standard, it was solely in
comparison to a Craftsman tube lathe.

The Jet, on the other hand, is a mini lathe with the attendant
compromises in both bed and swing, which is principally why I say they
are not in the same class. Having said that, there is nothing wrong
with the quality or capabilities of the Jet, keeping in mind its
capacity. And, since my experience with the Myford wasn't even hands
on, I don't know how much my view of it is suspect. I did have the
distinct impression that it was quite robust.

In my opinion, were the choice available to me today that you're
facing, I'd jump on the ML8 if the price is anywhere near right. For
comparison, I recall that in the late '70s the ML8 sold (at Frog, not
exactly a discount house) in the $900-1000 range--more with
accessories. That suggests it was right up where the Powermatic that
everyone loves (can't remember which model--35 something?) is today,
i.e. something under $3000. That puts your $1800 used price in the
right ballpark. A buck fifty would be stealing.

I hope someone with real Myford experience will weigh in here to
either confirm my impression or to tell me I'm full of ****--equally
valid possibilities.

--
LRod

Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite

Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999

http://www.woodbutcher.net

Proud participant of rec.woodworking since February, 1997

email addy de-spam-ified due to 1,000 spams per month.
If you can't figure out how to use it, I probably wouldn't
care to correspond with you anyway.

Hi me, My experience and take is the same as LRod's. Myford MLs were
the standard of the world in hobby or small production lathes, both wood
and metal, during the craft's revival begun in the late 70''s. Most of
us lusted after a Myford, but didn't own one. We drooled over their
pictures in all the early books beginning with Frank Pain's. I suspect
any machine made by Myford would be on the leading edge in its time and
of high quality anytime. I would not pay a premium for one now because
although you can do much more with the Myford than with the Jet, if you
progress to large face turnings you probably would want to exchange it
for one of the state of the art lathes that LRod mentioned. Whereas you
would likely keep the dandy little Jet mini. I will probably get some
flack from turners who love their old Deltas and other 'big iron'
spindle lathes, but I doubt they would pay a premium for one today and
parts aren't cheap if available.

In summary then, start out with the Jet unless the myford is a bargain
you can't refuse.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

Arch and LRod - Thanks for the replies. He isn't asking much for the
ML8, so if it's worth as much as you say, I guess I'd be crazy not to
go with that one. Also, it will be nice to have a machine that so many
people drooled over. Hopefully the parts will hold up.

Thanks.


LRod wrote:
On 14 Jul 2006 08:00:34 -0700, "me" wrote:

I'm a complete beginner looking to purchase a lathe. Mostly interested
in bowls, vases, vessels, etc, but will experiment with other things.
To learn on, I was planning on buying a Jet Mini VS. But a friend of a
friend recently said that he'd sell me his ML8. It is in good
condition and comes with several face plates. My first question is, is
one of the two lathes better than the other for a beginner (or just
better in general)? And the second is, if you wanted an ML8, what
would you pay for it? Searching the internet shows them selling for
anywhere from $150 to $1,800!

What little experience I have with the Myford (and that experience is
limited to drooling over it several times at Frog Tool Co in Chicago
20 years ago) is that they are not in the same class (I own a Jet
Mini, albeit not a VS).

With what little turning experience I had at the time, I thought the
ML8 was a pretty high end lathe. It has a "full length" (that is
something on the order of 36" or so between centers) bed and a swing
of 12"--that is, pretty much a standard size spindle lathe. I don't
remember the spindle size, either diameter/tpi or taper, but in any
event, I don't believe it was anything outrageously inconvenient.

Remember, this was in the days before Oneway, Stubby, Vega, Nova,
VicMark (maybe), Jet, etc. Frankly, at that point in my life I had
never seen a Delta or Powermatic tool of any kind, let alone one of
their lathes. So if I held it to a high standard, it was solely in
comparison to a Craftsman tube lathe.

The Jet, on the other hand, is a mini lathe with the attendant
compromises in both bed and swing, which is principally why I say they
are not in the same class. Having said that, there is nothing wrong
with the quality or capabilities of the Jet, keeping in mind its
capacity. And, since my experience with the Myford wasn't even hands
on, I don't know how much my view of it is suspect. I did have the
distinct impression that it was quite robust.

In my opinion, were the choice available to me today that you're
facing, I'd jump on the ML8 if the price is anywhere near right. For
comparison, I recall that in the late '70s the ML8 sold (at Frog, not
exactly a discount house) in the $900-1000 range--more with
accessories. That suggests it was right up where the Powermatic that
everyone loves (can't remember which model--35 something?) is today,
i.e. something under $3000. That puts your $1800 used price in the
right ballpark. A buck fifty would be stealing.

I hope someone with real Myford experience will weigh in here to
either confirm my impression or to tell me I'm full of ****--equally
valid possibilities.

--
LRod

Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite

Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999

http://www.woodbutcher.net

Proud participant of rec.woodworking since February, 1997

email addy de-spam-ified due to 1,000 spams per month.
If you can't figure out how to use it, I probably wouldn't
care to correspond with you anyway.

Robert Rosand, www.rrosand.com, has/had a ML8when he made his first video
tape "Turning Projects from Scrap". He made some modifications to it that
he shows and describes at the beginning of the video. He seems to be
satisfied with the machine. Watch the video, you can see the machine in
use. I think the machine uses #1 morse tapers and now I am not sure about
the threads; 3/4 x 16 or 3/4 x 12 or 7/8 x ?.
I would agree that the ML8 and a Jet mini are apples and oranges. I would
probably go for the ML8.
Edward

I just "Googled" "Myford ML8 Lathe" and came up with lots of info including
an exploded parts drawing. The spindle thread is 1" x 12 tpi. I have
always found Robert Rosand to be a very friendly guy and is willing to help
out a new turner, e-mail him for his opinion. I am sure he will give you
an honest answer.
Ed

On 15 Jul 2006 06:43:36 -0700, "me" wrote:

Arch and LRod - Thanks for the replies. He isn't asking much for the
ML8, so if it's worth as much as you say, I guess I'd be crazy not to
go with that one. Also, it will be nice to have a machine that so many
people drooled over. Hopefully the parts will hold up.

Thanks.

Are you worried about them wearing out, or rusting away from all that drool? lol
Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm

Hey Mac, I guess me could check the ML8 for mine & LRod's DNA. Turner's
dool is special and is widely used to prevent wallet rust. Won't rust
turning gear when rubbed on with checks or paper money.

Seriously me. I don't know your situation, but don't forget that a lathe
is usually less than half the cost of a beginning turner's needs and it
soon becomes much less as the needs/wants ratio falls.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

me wrote:
Hi,

I'm a complete beginner looking to purchase a lathe. Mostly interested
in bowls, vases, vessels, etc, but will experiment with other things.
To learn on, I was planning on buying a Jet Mini VS. But a friend of a
friend recently said that he'd sell me his ML8. It is in good
condition and comes with several face plates. My first question is, is
one of the two lathes better than the other for a beginner (or just
better in general)? And the second is, if you wanted an ML8, what
would you pay for it? Searching the internet shows them selling for
anywhere from $150 to $1,800!

Thanks for your help.

Someone mentioned the Myford ML8...

I never thought to ask everyone on the site to "PLEASE keep your eyes
peeled for me!" Years ago when I was newer to turning than I am now, I
special ordered a Myford ML8 headstock from Buzz at the old Woodstock
store in Woburn MA (before they becs,me a chain) along with the motor
mounts, rests etc. I was going to use it to dedicate to the production
turning of some very small parts that I needed at the time. I still
have the headstock. It has never been connected to a motor or set up
and I would love to find a tailstock. The bed tubing and tool holder
would be nice but I figured that I could always get a short one turned
from a piece of solid round barstock and modify a tool rest.

I have searched from time to time on eBay for something but found
nothing to date. So I ask for your help with ideas on how I could turn
my Myford ML8 complete headstock in to a full working lathe!

Many thanks.

JimC

PS Where should posting be directed? I sent the above twice to
and each time it bounced back?

On Sat, 15 Jul 2006 13:15:34 -0400, (Arch) wrote:

Hey Mac, I guess me could check the ML8 for mine & LRod's DNA. Turner's
dool is special and is widely used to prevent wallet rust. Won't rust
turning gear when rubbed on with checks or paper money.

Seriously me. I don't know your situation, but don't forget that a lathe
is usually less than half the cost of a beginning turner's needs and it
soon becomes much less as the needs/wants ratio falls.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter

Really, Arch? *lol*

like the $200 chuck and $80 jumbo jaws I got for the $225 Jet mini?

Or maybe it was the $225 coring thingy....

Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm

Hi Jim

Instead of digging the moneypit deeper, you might be better off
selling it on Ebay, and use the not spend money plus the receipt of the
sale to buy a mini/midi.

Just a thought.

Have fun and take care
Leo Van Der Loo


I have searched from time to time on eBay for something but found
nothing to date. So I ask for your help with ideas on how I could turn
my Myford ML8 complete headstock in to a full working lathe!

Many thanks.

JimC

PS Where should posting be directed? I sent the above twice to
and each time it bounced back?

On 16 Jul 2006 11:50:59 -0700, "
wrote:

Great. He sells it on ebay, and then about five years from now someone
comes here and posts about how he got this great deal on an ML8 head
stock but can't find any other parts and what should he do.

Instead of digging the moneypit deeper, you might be better off
selling it on Ebay, and use the not spend money plus the receipt of the
sale to buy a mini/midi.

Just a thought.

Have fun and take care
Leo Van Der Loo


I have searched from time to time on eBay for something but found
nothing to date. So I ask for your help with ideas on how I could turn
my Myford ML8 complete headstock in to a full working lathe!

--
LRod

Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite

Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999

http://www.woodbutcher.net

Proud participant of rec.woodworking since February, 1997

email addy de-spam-ified due to 1,000 spams per month.
If you can't figure out how to use it, I probably wouldn't
care to correspond with you anyway.

Hi Rod

In 5 years you say, well by then we'll have another turner to reply
what he did, and the chain will stay unbroken GG ;--))
We have to keep this thing going you know.

http://homepage.mac.com/l.vanderloo/PhotoAlbum28.html

Have fun and take care
Leo Van Der Loo

LRod wrote:

Great. He sells it on ebay, and then about five years from now someone
comes here and posts about how he got this great deal on an ML8 head
stock but can't find any other parts and what should he do.