Member postings for Diy Addict

Another vote for the Pewetools AS Multifix clone from me. I bought my 254s after viewing several knackered Bantams and have been delighted with it. Pewetools will also advise on the right size toolholders and they do a good variety to suit the 254. I think the ASD1460 is the standard holder that most suits.

My 254 came with a rear toolpost but since buying the Multifix I hardly ever use it - I prefer keeping the cross slide space free for other operations as I don't have a separate mill.

THe AS will go straight on the existing post, but you will have to modify or make a simple collar. The only downside is that Pewetools are the sole suppliers of AS size, so if anything happens to them you won't be able to get any more holders.

You've understood perfectly Rod. I waited around a year for a Myford/Rishton head to turn up, then this Mentor popped up so I jumped on it. So my setup is virtually identical, though somehow the photo looks much more appealing.

The 100 tooth is something of an aspiration. I'm looking to cut 56 teeth at 16DP in the short term.

Also, I'm not set on any particular method, so I've found this thread particularly useful - thanks to all.

Once the mill is bolted to the lathe, I'll try various configurations and post sny results here.

All the best, Paul

Yes it's 4 3/4" above the bed. I think the centre height to cross slide is 83mm, which rules out an HV4/6 if the cutter is in the headstock, though I think the old type Myford dividing head attached to a vertical slide would be able to manage it, using the methods outlined by GH Thomas.

Also, if the Mentor milling column can handle the size of gears I want to cut, then it looks like I have a lot more choice. It's arriving next week, so I guess I need to install it and make a few test cuts before deciding.

It probably would have helped if I'd said what size gears I want to cut. The first job will be some 16DP sacrificial gears in tufnol - up to 100 tooth, but I'd like to have the option of cutting them in steel or cast iron in the future. I realise that's going to push my setup to the limit, and will need a lot of fine passes.

Thank you all - I can now stop scratching my head about the BS type heads. I think the Myford one is the way to go as I don't have the time (or skill, probably) to build one from a kit.

There's one up at the moment, but the Morse Taper looks heavily scored. I have an MT2 reamer, but I think it would need to go too deep to get the scores out.

I have a Myford 254s lathe - centre height 4 3/4" , and I'm looking at buying a dividing head to cut spur gears. Could anyone give me the various pros and cons of the Myford dividing head versus the BS0/BS1 types available from the usual suppliers?

They seem to be very different designs. The Myford ones seem designed for lathe use but are expensive and seem flimsy, whereas the BS0/1 look good value, sturdy and versatile, but perhaps I don't have enough height from the cross slide table to get effective use from them.

The lathe will soon have an emco mentor milling attachment bolted to the bed (I don't have the room for a separate mill), but I'm not sure whether it has the rigidity necessary to mill the gears, and I may end up using the headstock instead.

Lots of variables here I know, but the knowing the pros/cons of Myford vs BS0/1 type would be a good start

Clive, Reg, thank you - I love these innovative solutions. I think I may try them all, in order of difficulty.

Edited By Diy Addict on 25/08/2020 20:44:09

Gordon that's really useful, thank you. The new Myford doesn't stock the studs (or the faceplate) so I'd already ordered some M10 x 1 part threaded bolts to adapt. It's great to have the original dimensions here.

Paul

What would you advise on face plate size, assuming availability? 10" would only leave a gnat's clearance, whereas I suppose 9" would have larger clearance but potentially cause more damage if something fleshy got caught between it and the bed?

Thanks old Mart (and Duncan for the +1). Looks like a good solution and I'll give it a try.

Edited By Diy Addict on 24/08/2020 10:07:04

I think Duncan must have a 254+. I've just measured the swing on my 254s and it's exactly 5".

After spending a few months viewing knackered Bantams and waiting for Warco to restock, I finally bit the bullet and am now the proud owner of a Myford 254s lathe!

The spindle accepts a BS4442/A3 backplate, which is basically a D1-3 mount with threaded studs instead of camlocks. I have a D1-3 backplate from Warco, which I intend to make a catchplate from, but I also want a faceplate and am pondering my options. Myford/Rdg don't stock them any more.

Bantam faceplates turn up from time to time on a famous auction site, but they are 270mm, so too big for my 254mm capacity. If I could find a flat faceplate, I could mount it to a backplate. The other option I'm considering is making some adapter to make my spindle accept S7 chucks, as it looks like BS4442/A3 has gone the way of the dodo.

So I'd be grateful for any ideas!

Edited By Diy Addict on 23/08/2020 17:50:58

Jed, Daniel, Dave, Brian, Lee, TriumphBoy, thanks for sharing your views and experience. Yes, the GH600 seems to suit all my needs much better than anything else I've seen. My fervour is re-ignited!

Hopefully I'll be able to share in this thread soon as an owner - will let you know,

All the best

I've been following this thread with interest for a while, as I'm on the point of buying one of these lathes. But all of these reports of oil leaks are dampening my fervour!

I wonder if this is true of all GH600s, or have you guys been particularly unlucky? Judging by your investigations, it looks like there's a design fault somewhere.

Anyway, please keep posting. All the best.