ML7 lathe bed

Good afternoon. I bought a Myford ml 7 and cabinet years ago but never used it it is a very old machine .But now i need a small project to keep me sane So I thought I would like to use this lathe but firstly it the movement on the saddle is loose on the bed at the chuck end but tight as you go towards the tailstock. and also chatters when turning a small piece of mild steel I have tried the main chuck bearings for movement but these seem ok(no movement up/down or end float  If this lathe bed needs re grinding were would be the best /cheapest place to have it done . around the Bury/ Manchester area and at what cost. All advice appreciated.Thanks

Regards steve

Hello Steve, I'm afraid that I don't know anyone in your area but there used to be someone in the Nottingham area who worked at Myfords and started a business repairing and refurbishing Myford equipment.

Maybe someone reading this will have a contact number.

The other possibility is to buy another bed that is in better condition.

Brian

An all to common problem, but don't assume the worst until you have carried out other checks and considered other mods. If you search the forum posts using terms such as myford, bed, regrind, worn etc, you may find something useful.

I had mine done at Slideway Services of Nuneaton in 2015 by an uber-grinding maestro (since changed hands so I don't know how receptive they will be to small works now). At that time it cost about £250 for lathe saddle (turcited for wide-guide) gibs and clamps on top of which was fuel for the 2 x 300 mile round trip to drop off and collect.

Expect regrinding to be someway north of £300 now even if you can find an outfit with sufficient equipment, expertise and interest to carry out the work now.

Hi Steve

Worth checking carefully before paying out for regrinding, there were some very good articles in MEW about a year ago by Hopper, who frequents this site, specifically about checking and rectification of the ML7 lathe bed. He converted his to the wide guide principal ( see Richard Ganderton's article in the downloads on the home page) Very well thought out articles and worth seeking out. If yours is an early ML7 the wide guide conversion is well worth consideration, I've never done it but a friend who did it kicked himself several times for not doing it sooner!

Dave

Edited By Dave Wootton on 04/01/2022 09:51:38

As an unhelpful aside, while you are carrying out detailed and complete measurements of bed wear, I suggest you check other components, ie, various lead-screws and their nuts, cross and top slide for rocking and lifting, all the various oilite bearings including countershaft etc. etc...

Only sayin cos if the bed is badly worn, then everything else is usually well shagged also. Then your small project suddenly becomes a bottomless money pit as well (wonder how I found out?).

Secondly, if you are considering a second hand bed, you gotta ask the question why is it for sale? I would suggest it is extremely unlikely that you will find one in an unworn condition.

Edited By Martin of Wick on 04/01/2022 10:14:50

There is a company that do grinding that may be worth a call.

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

I don't have any contact with and don't know what there prices are like.

David