Hi

I recently got a Myford ML7 lathe, it's in good nick except that the
shaft for the cross slide feed screw is bent at the end (probably
someone hit the handle by accident) so the micrometer dial is rubbing
on the end bracket.

I will have to order a new feed screw and maybe a dial too, but I
wonder if it is possible to convert the the micrometer dial. I want it
to be adjustable, independent of the feed screw (like most modern
lathes. I have seen that the Super 7 has this feature, is it possible
to use feed screw parts for a Super 7 on a ML7? If yes, I surely have
to exchange the handle, micrometer dial, bracket and some other small
parts as well.

An alternative is to convert to a 3rd party feed screw set up, I'm sure
I have seen it somewhere on the web, but can't remember where.

On 12 Feb 2006 14:09:00 -0800, wrote:

Hi

I recently got a Myford ML7 lathe, it's in good nick except that the
shaft for the cross slide feed screw is bent at the end (probably
someone hit the handle by accident) so the micrometer dial is rubbing
on the end bracket.

I will have to order a new feed screw and maybe a dial too, but I
wonder if it is possible to convert the the micrometer dial. I want it
to be adjustable, independent of the feed screw (like most modern
lathes. I have seen that the Super 7 has this feature, is it possible
to use feed screw parts for a Super 7 on a ML7? If yes, I surely have
to exchange the handle, micrometer dial, bracket and some other small
parts as well.

An alternative is to convert to a 3rd party feed screw set up, I'm sure
I have seen it somewhere on the web, but can't remember where.


Myford make a resettable micrometer dial to fir the ML7 top-slide and
cross-slide screws. I can't find the part number at the moment, but if you can
afford to phone them or write a letter I'm sure that they will know the
number!



Regards
Mark Rand
RTFM

On 12 Feb 2006 14:09:00 -0800, wrote:

Hi

I recently got a Myford ML7 lathe, it's in good nick except that the
shaft for the cross slide feed screw is bent at the end (probably
someone hit the handle by accident) so the micrometer dial is rubbing
on the end bracket.

I will have to order a new feed screw and maybe a dial too, but I
wonder if it is possible to convert the the micrometer dial. I want it
to be adjustable, independent of the feed screw (like most modern
lathes. I have seen that the Super 7 has this feature, is it possible
to use feed screw parts for a Super 7 on a ML7? If yes, I surely have
to exchange the handle, micrometer dial, bracket and some other small
parts as well.

An alternative is to convert to a 3rd party feed screw set up, I'm sure
I have seen it somewhere on the web, but can't remember where.
I don't know how the Myford dial works but I do know that you can
probably straighten the screw instead of replacing it. Do you have a
mill or drill press and a vise? If so, here's a way to straighten the
shaft. First determine where the bend is. You can do this by rolling
on a piece of plate glass. Another way is to put the shaft in a collet
in the lathe or hold it in a chuck that runs true. Mark the high side
and write down the error. If the shaft is 5/16" (8mm) or smaller in
diameter I think the straightening can be done in your lathe. But you
better check with a Myford owner first. If using the lathe rotate the
spindle until the high spot is pointing awa from you. Slip a piece of
close fitting over the bent shaft up to the bend. The bend should be
right up against the collet or chuck jaw face(s). Mount an indicator
such that when you pull on the pipe it touches the indicator and you
can see the amount of deflection. Release the pipe and check to see if
the shaft is starting to bend back. Do this in small increments. Once
the shaft starts to bend it will do so pretty fast and it is then easy
to bend it back too far. If using a drill press or mill use the quill
with a piece of brass or alumonum rod in the chuck to press down on
the shaft while it is clamped in the vise with soft jaws. You can use
the quill stop to regulate how far each bend is. Once again, do this
slowly and you should be able to get that shaft straight within .001"
easily.
ERS

wrote:

Hi

I recently got a Myford ML7 lathe, it's in good nick except that the
shaft for the cross slide feed screw is bent at the end (probably
someone hit the handle by accident) so the micrometer dial is rubbing
on the end bracket.

I will have to order a new feed screw and maybe a dial too, but I
wonder if it is possible to convert the the micrometer dial. I want it
to be adjustable, independent of the feed screw (like most modern
lathes. I have seen that the Super 7 has this feature, is it possible
to use feed screw parts for a Super 7 on a ML7? If yes, I surely have
to exchange the handle, micrometer dial, bracket and some other small
parts as well.

An alternative is to convert to a 3rd party feed screw set up, I'm sure
I have seen it somewhere on the web, but can't remember where.

Myford (www.myford.com) supplies a resettable dial according to one of
the other posters. There are also several designs out there for self
made conversions, the best of which (in my opinion) was drawn up by G H
Thomas and published in Model Engineer magazine.

http://www.hemingwaykits.com sells two books of his collected works and
I am reasonably sure the adjustable dial is in the Workshop Manual,
though I am not certain. They may sell a kit as well but I hhave not dug
deeply into their site. Worth a look though.

The leadscrew can likely be straightened to "good enough" with a bit of
careful pressure once it is removed from the slide. Simply grasping the
good portion in the chuck and allowing it to rotate under power will
show where the bend is. You may be able to tweak it back in line while
still in the chuck or you may wish to mark the shaft and bend it on the
bench or with a press.

Cheers
Trevor Jones

There's a digital handwheel now available for the ML7's cross slide (nb
not for the Super 7) which is pictured on page 52 of this month's Model
Engineer's Workshop magazine. It comes with rotary encoded digital
readout unit reading in mm and inches (switchable); ball handle; 2
needle roller thrust bearings & 1 ball bearing; 20TPI leadscrew and
bronze nut all for £125 including VAT and UK carriage. Allegedly
simple to fit.
Worth considering if you intend to change yours.
Regards
Ian

http://www.hemingwaykits.com does not work.

Yes, I should be able to straighten the leadscrew if i'm careful, but
it would be really neat with a resettable dial on my ML7, on both the
cross slide and top slide.

I'll call my local Myford dealer and ask them if they have a conversion
dial.

wrote:

http://www.hemingwaykits.com does not work.

That's odd. I clicked on it on your post and it got me back to the
Hemingway Kits Website. One of the security settings on your browser set
too high to allow the site to load, perhaps.

Yes, I should be able to straighten the leadscrew if i'm careful, but
it would be really neat with a resettable dial on my ML7, on both the
cross slide and top slide.

I'll call my local Myford dealer and ask them if they have a conversion
dial.

Be sitting for the price quote, preferably in a soft chair. You may
find that you do not want to buy a new leadscrew.

I have had an ML7 and currently have a Super7. I am not sure whether
they utilise the same leadscrew parts or not between the fixed dial and
the resettable dial machines.

I'd be intersested to know what Myford has to say.

Cheers
Trevor Jones