Introduction & NEW Myford Lathes

Hello to all,

By way of introduction, as this is my first post, I have been reading the forum for a while and I recently joined. My interest over the past number of years has been messing around with cars, including building a kit car (Ultima GTR)

Now I am restoring an old BSA Bantam motorbike and I bought a Chester Comet lathe a couple of years ago, to learn some basic skills and turn some basic bits and pieces that I have needed whilst fettling cars.

You can tell from my choice of motorbike that I love old and I love British, so like many people I look at the second-hand and restored Myford lathes and wonder whether to "upgrade" from the Chester that I am currently learning on...

I see on the Myford website that "by the end of 2012" they will be manufacturing lathes again... does anyone have any views/knowledge about what specification of lathe they will make ? I wonder what the prices will be like ? Again - any views or opinions would be appreciated.

Regards

Kelvin

I don't see that claim made on the website anymore - at least, not on the "home" page.

Personal opinion: Don't hold your breath. But if you want a definitive opinion, I would suggest asking Myford...they should know

There are plenty of used Myfords to be had.

Regards,

Tony

Ah...missed that.

Regards,

Tony

Hi,

My take on your main query is that I would stick with the Chester for a while until you feel competent in the basic aspects of turning. I.e. plain turning, facing, boring, threading (both internal and external) drilling and taper turning. Get to know your machine thoroughly and make a range of stuff, I din't know if you're into model engineering, but that's what most of us are into here - the clue's in the name of the site. What is your eventual intention regarding the use of the lathe?

When you are more confident, and have made your mistakes and errors, that is the time to look into lathes such as Myfords, but why Myford? A lot of folks swear by them, others swear at them. There are many good or better second hand British lathes on the market than Myfords. Take your time, really get to know the lathe well. Look around at other makes such as Boxford or Colchester (a lot of folk swear by these larger capacity lathes), and then start making your decision. Personally, having had experience with Myfords, Boxfords, Colchesters, Raglans etc I now have a Chinese lathe and find it solid, well built and very accurate. Importantly it came with a good range of tooling and equipment.

Regards

Terry

Terry -

You probably also paid less for it than a used Myford with equivalent tooling?

Regards,

Tony

Edited By Tony Jeffree on 04/10/2012 13:46:37

Does anybody know anyone who has actually bought a NEW Myford.? Everybody I know or have ever talked to has always got a second hand machine. Personally I like them but cannot really imagine anyone buying new over the last 20 years when there are so many good old ones around.

Hi there

Several people have bought new Myfords.

I have one that was unused when I purchased it.

Never had the motor fitted.

I paid £1,750 for it with inverter about 10 years ago.

Still only had about 40 hours use.

regards David

Beware being tempted by the shiney new thing like a woman and new shoes unless you have plenty of money of course. Use your increasing knowledge of lahe work to properly evaluate what you need as it may be better fulfilled by a big old lathe or a mill.

It is a bit like 'who buys a new car?' Well 300k have just gone for the new number plate issue. Personally I'd prefer an old car plus a new lathe for the same money.

Yes bought two brand new Myfords form the Nottingham factory.

One was an ML7 and one was a C 7 capstan, good value at the time but later on this changed rapidly and they priced themselves out of the market.

What seems like ages ago in the demise of Myford thread I asked which company would step into the void and become the new "Myford" to have but there was no answer from anyone

As with Kelvin I am progressing from newbie to tyro (hell I even managed to make new footpeg pins out of stainless that are the correct diameter all the way down their length which for me is an achievement) and one day the question will have to be addressedas tof what new lathe to budget for to replace the second hand 1947 Barker I am currently abusing

So I'll open it up again to those more knowledgeable and experienced than me - if you had to buy a new lathe tomorrow which makes and models would you be looking at?

To start you off are the Ceriani lathes advertised in MEW good?

Hi Kelvin

The question - is in what respect are you dissatisfied with your present machine? It seems it's capacity is a little more than the Myford and the standard equiptment is reasonable. Please don't misunderstand me I have a Myford S7, I love and would not change it ,it but a good S/H one is expensive and a new one, when/if produced, is likely to be even more so. If your "Model Engineering" is likely to continue in "Full Size" it may be that the capacity of the Myford could be limiting. Having said all that, of course, the Myford 7 series has been about for nearly 70 years and many old examples are still going strong. Spares are available for much of the range.

Regards

Norman

Thanks very much for all the replies and comments - it's not that I am dissatisfied with the Chester... I have another garage away from my house, where I have been doing cars/bikes and I think I will get some extra tools for that one (including a lathe).. So I am considering which lathe to buy.

Regards

Kelvin

If you are happy with the one you've got, it wouldn't be a bad idea to get another Comet, particularly if you have "extras" like a 4-jaw chuck which you could easliy swap between lathes.

Andy