Myford Layhe

Hi I was just wondering if anyone would know what model this is and anything else about it.

Have a read of this to see how to post

Hi thanks for the reply, i have now inserted the photos.

Edited By JasonB on 20/03/2021 15:39:13

It is a very early ML7 lathe probably 1947 to 1951 vintage.

Andrew.

The serial number, normally stamped somewhere on bed, would help.

Serial number will be on the back vertical machined surface on the right as you look at it.

Hi

Thank you for replying, does anyone know how much it would be worth and do you know the best sites to sell it on. The only number we can find on it is 73/1103

Thank You.

That is a Myford ML7 but the number you quote might not be its serial number, although 1103 would correspond to being made in 1946-7.

The makers didn't exactly help us, with their habit of stamping the number on the back of the bed, but that number does not otherwise square with Myford serial-numbering practice, because the ML7s were designated by the letter "K" followed by 4 digits starting with 1001 made in 1946, then 5 digits from 1950 on.

The Myford section of the lathes.co site gives a list of the numbers against years.

Mine for example is K2227, so made in 1947.

It is stamped on the rear vertical face of the bed, behind and below where the tailstock is usually parked.

Myford machines go for quite a lot of money if in reasonable condition and with plenty of their tools and accessories. Where to sell? Well, this forum's, or the magazines' Sales ads, would be a good start, especially as you've already given us a couple of photos. You could try lathes.co, for a fee, but I think fixed, not commission. Or Homeworkshop ( I think dot-org), a classified-ads site for workshop machinery and tools - as I recall it doesn't charge but asks for a donation.

Value depends rather on what extra accessories and tooling it has with it, possibly in all those drawers under the bench. Extra chucks, steadies, vertical slides, change gears and cutting tools etc can add quite a bit of value. A good cleaning of all that swarf and dust and then spray it with WD40 would help.

Depends where you are located too.

You see them advertised for 400 to 800 pounds and even 1,000pounds. No idea how much they actually get for them. The Super 7 model goes for a bit more, but yours is the the more basic ML7 model. I paid the equivalent of 200 quid for mine but it was pretty worn.

Put a classified ad on this site would be one way to sell it.

Edited By Hopper on 21/03/2021 07:28:28

With respect Hopper, I would advise not using WD-40 as a machine-tool preservative; certainly not the basic, original "WD-40", which is the product most widely available.

Despite the claims on its own labels, that is as its initials say, a water-dispersant. It is also a good solvent, but not a good lubricant or lasting preservative. Its SDS shows mineral-oil and paraffin-wax dissolved in white spirit, and the environmental advice thereon shows what experience with it suggests, that it breaks down fairly easily and quickly.

It is good for cleaning machines, once all the abrasive dirt has been brushed off, but with caution as it will wash out but not replace the oil in slides, etc.; and its anti-corrosion protection does not last very long.

Use it to clean the lathe, then wipe it all off and protect the bare metal surfaces with lubricating oil or grease - or for long-term storage, a preservative wax that can be removed with white spirit. (As used by our machine-tool suppliers.)

There are lubricants available under the WD-40 brand, in similar packing, and it's worth looking at the manufacturer's catalogue, but original WD-40 for long-term protection of machinery? No!

Not my experience. I've stored motorbikes for up to 15 years covered in WD40 and the chrome on them is still as good as new and the aluminium required just a bit of a polish up. Cylinder bores perfect thanks to a spray down the plug hole. And I use WD40 on my my lathe etc when left unused here in the wet tropics with 8 feet of rain annually and 90 per cent humidity.

So I think it will be good enough for someone cleaning a lathe up to advertise it for sale so it will be gone in a few weeks to a new owner who can then have the pleasure of agonizing over whether to oil the bedways with ISO68 hydraulic oil out of a plastic container or Mobil Vactra #2 Way Oil dispensed from a neutralized zinc-plated dispenser.

Thank you everyone for your reply, you’ve been very helpful, the serial number is K2536, how much do you think is a reasonable price to ask for.

Thank You.

Put it on eBay. Start the price low enough to gather interest, say £300. You'll then get whatever it is worth. Bear mind that lockdown could restrict realised price, so maybe hold onto it for a bit?

Alternatively, if you are on Facebook join the myford and Drummond group. Someone may make you an offer. But you'll only know you got the market price if you put it on the market.

If I may suggest -

Give some thought to the buyer's constraints on collection. Something of this ilk is actually pretty fragile (woe to the carrier who drops one of these!) and would normally be best served by "collection in person only"

But present constraints on travel and meeting etc curtail such. I have dipped out of several such transactions over the last few months for not being able to "collect in person". Quite apart from the restrictions (and cost) of travel I don't think I can justify the journey.

The restrictions relax shortly, but the idea of two people trying to load this into a van while maintaining the rigours of social distancing is a cartoon waiting to be writ.

There isn't really an easy answer at the moment, but hopefully these tribulations will pass ere long.

Good luck