Member postings for Jolyon de Fossard

Thank you all for your considered response.

The tonearm is quite rare and was an expensive item in its day. I would like to keep it looking original as much as I can so am not attracted to carbon fibre superior as it may well be in this application

The original was Nickel plated which is a strange choice really so I will be anodising the whole thing as later versions of this arm were.

So; I suppose I'll just use a nice looking tube from B and Q.

I enjoyed the comparison with a Myford restoration. As it happens I rebuilt my 1948 ML7 and used original paint but I ditched the motor and added a 3 phase machine with an inverter drive. So, it is a blend of old and new.

Yrs

Jolly

It is not for an Aerospace application but I am happy to pay for Aerospace grade material unless the feel is that the material isn't appreciably better in terms of the attributes I am looking for.

Thank you everyone.

The application is not safety critical. I am rebuilding an old high quality tonearm from a 1960's hifi record player. The original tube was damaged. I don't know what it was but assumed it would be something more than the standard architectural grade. But, the tube I bought in B and Q will do. I was wondering if it wouldn't be too hard to find something better.

Yrs,

Jolyon

Hi everyone,

I have am looking for some aerospace grade aluminium tubing. The property I'm looking for is a good stiffness/resistance to bending to mass ratio. Don't care about weldability or machinability as I have to do relatively little to it in reality.

The grades that that I think are suitable are 6061 or 7075

I need a 10mm diameter tube with a 1mm wall thickness and I need about a metre of it.

Please can someone advise me of a place where I can buy more specialist grades of aluminium tubes such as these.

I am in the UK.

Yrs,

Jolly

Hello all,

A couple more questions about my ML7 rebuild if I may; firstly, what should I use to lubricate the thrust bearing and secondly, I notice quite a lot of initial resistance to movement in the reassembled spindle. The bearings are back in the same places and the same way around; the shims are in place and the spindle is clean. There are no tight spots and taking it apart again I see no signs of metal to metal contact so I am assuming it's just the viscosity of the oil causing drag. Are there any more checks or tests I can do ?

Yrs,

Jolly

Fantastic news ! Thank you.

I have an inverter on my Colchester Student so will probably install one on the Myford as opposed to tracking down a Tri-Leva and a two speed motor.

The Tri-Leva does look nice though.

Jolly

Hi Terry,

Do you run your ML7 at that speed occasionally ?

Yours,

Jolly

I saw this on Tony's wonderful site lathes.co.uk

http://www.lathes.co.uk/myfordtrileva/img8.jpg

It shows a speed of 1280 rpm is possible for the ML7.

Yrs,

Jolly

HI,

I have to say that I am thrilled with the lathe. Now it's been taken apart I can see that it is in lovely condition mechanically. I learned to turn on my Dad's ML10 (he's a clockmaker by profession) so having a Myford in my workshop is quite something. Also, compared with Colchester, spares seem cheap !

Apart from the aforementioned bits and pieces I'll I'll need is an MT2 dill chuck, live centre and a Dickson tooolpost then I'll be a way. Oh yes, and I'll have to make a bench for it.

As an aside, where can I buy QWhite Metal for making bearings ?

Yrs,

Jolly.

Did you ever find this out ?

If not; let me know and I'll nip off to the workshop with my calipers.

Yrs,

Jolly

Hi Chaps,

Thank you all for your very helpful comments. It looks like I shouldn't worry about this but wanted to hear the experience of others before I went ahead.

Currently, the lathe has small metal oilers. I'll replace these with the tall glass ones so I can see the oil level and and adjust the flow.

Kind regards,

Jolyon

I could make some Bronze (NAB I assume) bushes on my Colchester and maybe get the spindle Nitrided or would Nitriding require grinding afterwards ?

Yrs,

Jolly

Thank you both.

I'll make a motor pulley that'll get me to 1070 rpm and use Castrol Hyspin 32 maybe with some Molyslip in and I'll take care !

Yours,

Jolly

Edited By Jolyon de Fossard on 15/10/2012 16:13:27

Hi,

I'm in Bath, UK.

The Student's fine and I'm very happy with it; I just think that it's a bit over the top sometimes using a 3 HP machine to work on things 10mm dia and smaller. Very pleased with its ability to turn some steel into a pile of swarf and I can work to a thou on it so it's still accurate enough.

I just wanted something smaller and this ML7 was given to me so I'm determined to get it running but was surprised that it can't spin as fast as the Student.

I make parts for turntables (record players) and sell them on-line. I'm an electrician by trade but it's not as much fun as a day in the workshop with my machine tools, a teapot and the radio.

Yours,

Jolly

Hi,

I'm new here and am seeking some advice, please. I have just got a 1969 Myford ML7 which I am restoring. My main lathe is a Colchester Student which is great but a little big for some of the work I do. I read, however, that the ML7 maximum spindle speed is about 600rpm (Colchester runs to 1200). My L7 has White metal bearings.

I was wondering whether modern lubricants have enabled forum members to increase the spindle speed safely and if so, by how much ?

If not; could I add a Super 7 headstock or whuld that necessitate changing backgear/countershaft etc.

Apart from eBay can anyone recommend a place for Myford spares ? I need a few other things like a rack, some oilers and a leadscrew hand wheel.

Yours with thanks,

Jolyon