Myford S7 Saddle Lock Query

Hi All,

My S7 had the Hemingway saddle lock conversion fitted to it which worked well.

I had to remove it when I fitted the DRO to the lathe and have managed (quite well...) without a saddle lock until recently when I noticed that some cuts were not so good any more.

I still have the original small eccentric Myford part that goes under the rear rail and have made a 5/16" BSF bolt with a thinned head to fit this. I have also drilled each of the flats with a 3mm hole to take a small tommy bar that I can loctite in position when I have the correct adjustment.

As there is very little room for access at the rear now the DRO is fitted I am having trouble holding the eccentric while I screw in the bolt and cannot seem to get it to lock the saddle.

I think that this is because I have the small step on the eccentric wrongly positioned but cannot see which way round it is supposed to go. When I know this I thought I would drill the opposite side to take a small bar temporarily that I can hold while fitting the bolt to it.

Which way round does the eccentric fit please?

Cheers, Martin

If you mean this one at the rear. I have had mine out a few times & can confirm they can be awkward to get in the right spot. I have turned the eccentric over with no difference to it's grip, but must admit there was a time when it just would not hold tight. Cannot remember what I did to fix it, … Ah remembered, the bolt was slightly stretched & was bottoming out on the threads. New bolt & handle & all was good. Also fitted the little cheap ebay handle to make it easier to use.

Steve.

To reassure yourself that it fits, screw the bolt so that it goes through the hole and see if you can locate from below, if it won’t locate try screwing the bolt through from the other side. This will determine the right way up if it matters, having established the correct orientation put a small bar down the hole from the top and locate the clamp into its register, it should not be to hard to find the thread with the bolt.

Mike

Hi All,

I marked the eccentric side opposite the machined step and held in place with long nosed pliers using a mirror while I screwed the bolt in.

A bit of fiddling about and then felt it pull up into position.

Having a tommy bar hole on each flat made adjustment easy and the saddle lock now works as it should.

Plenty of room for the DRO scale to move over the top of the turned down thinner hexagon bolt.

Hoefully this will improve my finish on work.

Cheers, Martin