1950 Myford

Hi

Does any body know what colour 1950's ML7 lathes were.

I've just bought one, which I'm restoring. It's painted dark green, but underneath it appears to be the Myford grey, where the green is flaking off. The green also appears to be brush painted in places where its flaking.

Thanks

Hi Vojislav

I'm pretty sure all myford ML7's were grey, in the mid 1970's the later Super 7 and ML7R were changed to green. I worked where there was a very elderly ML7 with the first type of oilers and that was in totally original ( and immaculate) condition and that was grey. I've had good results with the Paragon machine paint sold by Stationary Engine Parts and also synthetic paint mixed by a local car paint specialist with an additive to allow brush painting.

Good luck with the restoration, there was some good information on the wide guide bed conversion in MEW a couple of years ago, this works very well.

Dave

I remember a new Myford ML7 for sale in our local ironmongers shop in the early 1960s, and it was grey I viewed that lathe with envy can't remember the price but it was out of my pay scale at that time.

MichaelR

Myford grey

Hi Vojislav ,

Welcome to the forum and congratulations with your ML7. The subject was discussed in an earlier thread - here.

Thor

My Ml7 was purchased new by me in 1972, it is still in its original grey paint.

Grey it is then !

Thanks everyone.

You get flaking either where people find sanding too much like hard work or ditto for degreasing.

My old Rockwell was dark blue over the original grey and 90% of it was easily scrape-able with a blunt screwdriver blade.

Note that between the ways, the ML7's are painted a cream colour. Lathes with hardend beds were painted white instead.

That's really helpful

Thank you

The original colour of my 1949 ML7 was blue !. Some of it still is, it being a mish mash of blue, grey and light hammerite blue. Suppose I should comply, strip it down and paint it grey when it next gets some downtme?.

My Drummond M from the war and the 1950s one were grey too

They must have got a job lot of battleship grey paint in WW2

May 1960 price, basic £63.12. 6 to this you needed to add motor and clutch if required.

When I bought my ML7 in the late 50s I think I paid £57 or there abouts, still have it sitting in the corner as an unused heirloom! Good as new.

Definately Myford Grey

Hi

The ML7 restoration is going well, the bed, & slides have all been reground now & I'm nearing the end of the painting stage.

I have noticed that some ML7's have the name Myford painted red on the front casting whilst others are in cream or grey. I can't find any accurate info, as to which colour it would originally been for my 1950 ML7, & wondered if anyone knew?

Thanks in advance

Vojislav