Die filers for beginners?

Hi all, Ive been looking at the Martin Model and Hemingway die filer kits as a potential first project on my Myford ML1, that has 3-1/8" centre height. I have a vertical slide for it but I don't have a seperate mill..I do have a decent size bench drill. Oh and I'm a beginner.

Putting aside the table which I figure I could fabricate from mild steel (is cast iron better for machine tables such as this?) I'm wondering if I have the size capacity to make one up???

I prefer the look of the Martin model but for some reason figure the Hemingway might be the way to go.

Could any makers of either of these two please comment?

Many thanks

Chris.

Good afternoon, can anybody help at all with my last posting, copied below?

Hi all, Ive been looking at the Martin Model and Hemingway die filer kits as a potential first project on my Myford ML1, that has 3-1/8" centre height. I have a vertical slide for it but I don't have a seperate mill..I do have a decent size bench drill. Oh and I'm a beginner.

Putting aside the table which I figure I could fabricate from mild steel (is cast iron better for machine tables such as this?) I'm wondering if I have the size capacity to make one up???

I prefer the look of the Martin model but for some reason figure the Hemingway might be the way to go.

Could any makers of either of these two please comment?

Many thanks

Chris.

Did you mean the Hemingway Sawing and Filing Attachment (I couldn't see a die filer on their website)?

Sorry I can't help directly but Hemingways will surely tell you if the attachment will fit your lathe.

Thank you ega, yes I did mean the sawing & filing attachment. I have emailed them this afternoon but would also like views from anybody who has built one, and is cast iron (rather than mild steel )so important for a small machines table such as this.

There is also Harold Hall's design, made without castings Link . I had wondered about this for a future project (unfortunately it would join a very long queue with very slow progress) as the reduction drive means that the lathe (or indeed any spare motor) could be run faster.

Brian

Thanks Brian, yes I'd seen that, for me on aesthetic grounds its if all else fails, I'd much rather have castings (-:

Do you want the die filer as a working tool or as a machining exercise?

If a working tool, bearing in mind the size of your lathe, and the future projects you may make with it, have you considered a bar stock version? There are at least two die filers on homemadetools. The first of the two following links is very simple and would get you going pdq. The second looks to be a bit more 'workmanlike' and closer to a machine made from castings and maybe more to your liking.
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/miniature-die-filer-27294#post36802
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/filing-machine-12989#post15657

I know you like the look of castings. The problem may be that if you butcher one of the Martin Model castings, especially them coming over the water from USA, it could be an expensive mistake.

Dave
The Emerald Isle

Thank you Dave, more as a useful bit of kit than an exercise I think. If a ready made Martin M version turned up I'd have it. I could have used one for work this week!

Both are interesting links, though neither work for me. Yes I'm aware of the shipping and import duty and as you say if I mess up.......

I will keep on pondering! (-: I may order the drawings only to see what exactly is involved.

Cheers

Chris.

Hemingway used to allow purchase of drawings ahead of main order and would allow credit of cost of drawings if kit ordered later. You could ask them.

Yes thank you KWIL, I think I saw that they do.....