Myford Super 7B Apron Hand wheel install

So, im trying to re-install the apron handwheel in my power cross slide, but i cant get it to go all the way on.

The shaft that it slides onto slides back and forth by about 5mm (is this a normal amount of play?), so when i push it on, the shaft retracts and prevents me from fully installing it.

How do i do it please? It's driving me nuts.

Do i have to remove the whole saddle to get into the top of the apron?

Some years ago I had the same problem and eventually I drilled and tapped the spindle, in situ, to facilitate the use of a draw screw. I no longer have that lathe, but from memeory I believe I used 4BA. The method worked perfectly. I now have a later Myford and clearly they had altered the fixing method and the spindle is now threaded and the handle held by a socket screw.

Michael

You can drop the apron off by undoing the 4 allen screws on the top of the saddle. You will probably have to remove the half nut assembly too if you want to remove it completely. This will allow you to either refit the hand wheel or drill and tap for draw screw as suggested above.

Alternatively lock the saddle, get the handle on as far as it will go then pull it forward and twist so that the gears are in mesh. If the friction between the gears is greater than the sliding friction on the shaft it might just slide home. Paper up the shaft and key first and apply oil.

regards Martin

Suggestion. Take up all slack drive within the apron (lock down the cross slide and engage the drive, taking up slack by turning the main spindle by hand). Then attempt to get the wheel on when the mechanism is in stalled position. You may have tried this already, of course.... 

Edit looks like Martin sort of got there before me

Edited By not done it yet on 10/04/2017 12:15:02

I had the same problem in my case the fit of the hand wheel to shaft was a good slide fit.

I slid the hand wheel onto the shaft as far as it would go and then pulled it back slightly. The fit was such that it drew the shaft back enabling me to be able to insert an old six inch rule into the gap flat up against the apron face applying pressure to the end of the rule I was able to stop the shaft moving into the apron whilst I pushed the hand wheel gently further onto the shaft. I couple of attempts and the hand wheel was on as far as it would go leaving a gap of about .030 inches.

The hand wheel has operated ok since fitting.

Paul

I did concider drilling and tapping the shaft (and i may do in the future...seems like it should have been done like this in the first place)

But for now i ended up removing the leadscrew and then dropping the saddle.

The powerfeed apron fully encapsulates the leadscrew, so that is the only way the apron can be removed by the looks of it.

id note when i took the apron off that the oil reservoir was bone dry (and clean) should this not be filled to the level?? the gears dont look worn and are oiled but i expected to see it full up, not dry....

Yes it should. I bought a refurbished Super 7 with power cross feed + Gearbox last year and Myford ship them dry. Don't know where yours came from but check your gearbox too.

regards Martin

I checked the gearbox yesterday, it is half full (just not quite up to where it should be), so i will top it up.

doesnt look like the apron res has ever had oil in it its that clean.

is it just the same SAE30 that goes in the apron?

Yes. Myford do specify this or equivalent.

**LINK**

regards Martin