Member postings for Robert Butler

Perhaps try removing the down feed, micrometer feed screw and the quill lock?

Robert Butler

The metric Myford S7 has an imperial leadscrew the handwheel is graduated in metric units, The gearbox if fitted is imperial with banjo and a set of gears to convert to metric pitch. The tailstock, cross slide and top slide have metric pitch feed screws and with metric dials.

If the shaper is fitted with imperial screws but the micrometers calibrated to reflect metric measure whilst not ideal it is workable as no doubt many metric Myford owners have found. It is what it is.

Robert Butler

Edited By Robert Butler on 03/08/2021 19:50:28

Phil, Tractor Oil Universal (TOU) was used for engines, gearboxes (which often served as a reservoir for the hydraulics) and hydraulics. The idea was to save the farm workshop being stocked with varying grades of oil and hence reduced the cost by facilitating purchase of larger quantities of one oil. Worth checking with an Agricultural Engineer used to working on tractors of a certain age.

Robert

Phil the "plastic pipe" also includes bearings to permit the shaft to rotate and allow the guard to remain stationary. In that context not so expensive. The category 1 pins can be cut off, drill holes and weld in replacement category two pins, the pins are extremely hard wearing so mild steel may not be up to it. Category 2 equipped implements are far more common.

Robert

Edited By Robert Butler on 02/08/2021 12:46:53

Duncan, you can turn and face the hardened rods using carbide cutters. I used linear bearings when making the guide for the z axis DRO fitted to my Chester Super Lux milling machine. The swarf gets hot!, but given the small diameter shouldn't be a problem. The supplier advised the shaft was only surface hardened but on 8mm dia. in fact seemed to extend throughout the rod.

Robert Butler

Hi John

An update, Myford suggested I return the screw and nut for appraisal, which I did. They detected tightness and suggested it was borderline on tolerance and sent a replacement "original" Myford screw and nut which I fitted today. The replacement is significantly better but lacks the silky smooth action of the metric screw and nut. I can't get it down to virtually nil backlash either.

I am reluctant to concede that it may bed in as I feel it should work out of the box.

Robert Butler

Edited By Robert Butler on 18/07/2021 21:56:17

Wife's system is infallible, all dependant on hearing. When you either hear the crunch or can't reverse any further she becomes aware of the proximity of solid or unyielding objects. Absolutely foolproof and rarely fails?

Robert Butler

Are we excluding the fairer sex, quite a few have have significant facial hair!

Robert Butler

Phil, the pins on the topper are probably category 1 which are smaller diameter compared to category 2 pins. If you change the pins to category 2 (often bolt on) you don't need the bushes which will be easily lost!

Robert Butler

You should be able to buy the shaft guard separately and fit this to the existing shaft.

Robert

M10 Coarse appears to be the required thread not M10 fine. Can an M10 Coarse Helicoil be used, without researching the topic I can see no reason why not.

Robert Butler

Phil

Buy the pins, securing clips and PTO shaft guard from the same place you bought the top link. The pins are remarkably tough needing to withstand shock loadings. You will also need to check the length of the PTO shaft, you will note the inner slides into the outer as the relative length varies as the implement is lifted and lowered. The PTO shaft guard should be supplied with a chain which you attach to the tractor to stop it spinning with the shaft. Take part of the shaft with you as "size matters"!

The inner and outer should be an easy sliding fit - grease - but don't overdo it as all the muck in creation will stick to it.

Robert

Hello John

Thanks once again for your reply. The imperial nut is some kind of brass rather than the metric nut which is steel. I am aware the nuts and screws are lapped but I'm not sure this is done with a brass nut as I think the abrasive would embed itself in brass thereby unintentionally continuing the lapping process! The screw and nut seem well made and before attempting to fit the nut and screw to the saddle/cross slide run smoothly.

The nut is a good fit in the saddle and I can't see anyway it can be adjusted up or down before the final tightening of the nut. I think Myford's suggestion to slacken the apron was a shot in this direction - but the apron still requires tightening, I tried this without any improvement even with the screws slack and thinking this through it is a saddle/cross slide issue not an apron issue.

Myford have promised to get back to me this week as their man was on holiday last week.

Many thanks

Robert

Dear John

A report back, I have examined the gap in the slot of the imperial leadscrew with the key having assembled the nut onto the screw and fitted the gear/bearing as you suggested and illustrated in your sketch, there is adequate clearance. I repeated the exercise with the metric screw, nut, gear bearing and the clearance is the same (no means of measuring accurately) with a clearly visible "gap" along the length of both screws.

I again refitted the metric screw and it is perfect.

For what it's worth, i think there is a lack of concentricity with with the screw, the nut or bore in the saddle?

Thank you for the diagram and assistance so far.

Robert Butler

Edited By Robert Butler on 04/07/2021 18:26:53

Interesting response to some of the suggestions. Lack of maintenance never results in long life, to remain reliable an annual service always helps. Users think nothing of neglecting to change the oil in 4 stroke engines, checking air filters, cleaning gapping or replacing spark plugs and air-gaps. They expect the same reliability as an electric motor but with no input, however an electric motor will not perform the arduous tasks an IC engine is capable of with a little care.

Although rubbished by one post I can confirm the efficacy of fuel Stabilizer, it is not a con trick, and I speak from first hand experience having used it for over 20 years. As a favour I have repaired a number of 2 & 4 stroke engines for friends over the years and with one exception ( duff electronic ignition) all faults resulted from varnish/deposits left behind by stale fuel contaminating the tank or carburettor.

Strimmer and chainsaws rely on a pressurised fuel supply as they are rarely operated with the carburettor horizontally disposed, think model aircraft IC engines.

I see the same problems mentioned in Classic Car & Motorcycle magazines - fuel left to deteriorate resulting in gummed up works.

Robert Butler

Phil, the mounting system is called a three point linkage, you do need a top link but then look at the topper and the two lower arms on the tractor. It is a mounted implement not a trailed implement - hence no draw bar.

Robert Butler

Dear Bill, yes used it for many years. I can't be doing with things that don't work. Makes you wonder what I saw in Er in Doors! In fact she's the only thing in the house that doesn't work!

Robert

Edited By Robert Butler on 01/07/2021 17:25:41

Not if you use fuel stabilizer

Robert Butler

Michael, I am surprised you are suffering from poor carburetors and weak sparks. I have an EFCO Strimmer, Pole Hedgecutter and Blower which I service every January/February along with the mowers. One issue which I have encountered which is a great cause of annoyance is modern fuels which "go off" very quickly and gum up the carburetor and tank. Many years ago I discovered the efficacy of mixing fuel stabilizer with the fuel on the day of purchase. This can be purchased from garden machinery suppliers (rather than the Sheds) and I can confirm fuel will be fine for up to 2 years.

The strimmer's and mowers range from 15 - 30 years and as proof of reliable starting I have yet to replace a starter cord - well until I've just added this posting at any rate. They last because of reliable starting.

Robert Butler

Edited By Robert Butler on 01/07/2021 17:14:17

Edited By Robert Butler on 01/07/2021 17:15:08

Dear John thank you very much for your further advice I will investigate, hopefully tonight and report back.

Robert Butler