ML10 topslide - is it compatible with ML7 or Super 7

Getting an ML10 - I 'think' the top slide is compatible - at least with the ML7 - considering making up a Hemingway Radford fixed top slide replacement - for the ML10 - hence the question.

The centre heights aren't far apart for the two lathes, Ideally you would want to know the height of the top of the cross slide for each. The difference between centre height and cross slide height will give you nominal tool heights for the top slides.

Looking on Tony's ML 10 page

http://www.lathes.co.uk/myfordml10/

You can see the square headed clamp screw either side of the cross slide which tell you that the ML 10 top slide is similar to the Super 7 and not the ML 7 which used vertical bolts to clamp the top slide down -

http://www.lathes.co.uk/myford/page2.html

Hope This Helps

Looking at the specifications for both (swing over cross slide) the difference is 4mm, which you might expect ML10 == 3 1/4 inch centre height, verse 3/1/2. It implies that the cross slide depth is the same for both.

I have ordered the castings / kit from Hemmingway tools - and will try and make it work. Tool rigidity is key to getting a good finish, and fundamental to someone like me who "finish turns", no access to a grinder!

My experience with the Super 7 is that for best tool rigidity you lock all the gib screws on the topslide and feed with the leadscrew. I'm in the process of making a new fixed base for the Dickson toolpost for this reason. The only benefit of a topslide is for making short tapers and for angle offsetting for screwcutting IMHO. Now I use CNC on the lathe it has no function except reducing rigidity.