Removing and dismantling a Myford 254S apron - advice?

I need to remove and dismantle the apron on my new-to-me 254S and would welcome any words of advice before I start.

Also, is there a manual for the 254 available anywhere on-line? My google-fu has failed me.

Dave

Dave try Googling Myford 254 Handbook, www.lathes @ £48-00 but there are other sources.

Robert Butler

Thanks for the reply, Robert. I'd found that but baulked at the cost. I've now found a very useful site (https://archive.org/download/lathe-manuals) from which I've just downloaded the 254 Plus manual and I think that's going to be near enough unless something more specific appears.

Dave if you have managed to download the complete Myford handbook I doubt much else exists. The Handbooks were usually well written but not quite "workshop manual" material. If you have a specific query someone on the forum will be able to help. 254's not endlessly disected in the same manner as the 7 series (an observation not a complaint).

Robert Butler

I think the job should be straightforward but it would be useful to hear from someone who has done it before.

I presume I remove the cross and top slides, unbolt the "leadscrew bracket assembly" and (somehow?) remove the lead screw and feed shaft, and then undo the bolts that attach the apron to the saddle. Please can someone reduce my unknown unknowns and explain what I've missed

Dave

Dave, Have a look at this post Link you could try and contact the original poster see if he can help.

MichaelR

Edited By MichaelR on 04/11/2022 11:21:24

Thanks Michael, but unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a way to contact the chap (Lionel Tichenor). A few days ago I put a question at the end of that thread in the hope that one of the participants would see it, but no response (yet).

Dave

IIRC, it is a pretty simple job.

The leadscrew covers are potentially dangerous, but if you take the saddle all the way in one direction, you can slip a cable tie around one half; and then move it the other way and do similarly.

Again, IIRC, the leadscrew and feedshaft are just withdrawn to the right.

Then you just unscrew the bolts which hold it to the saddle.

If you drain the oil first, you will probably make less mess.

The oil seals are perfectly standard and widely available.

HTH.

Yup! 'twas much easier than I expected: Slide carriage to left, undo 2 bolts to release leadscrew bracket and slide it to the right (with lead and feed shafts) to remove shafts from couplings and out of the apron, undo 2 screws at front top of saddle.

Dave

I've had a 254 from new since 1997. I've done quite a few mods and improvements and have had all of it apart over the years apart from the spindle bearings. I have the manual which includes exploded diagrams of all assemblies.

Happy to provide any info I can

Thanks! It would be very interesting to hear about the "mods and improvements".