Tool Post for Myford ML7

Hi I'm a newbie, I just got my first lathe - a Myford ML7. I am looking to perform some basic functions - turning, facing boring etc. The lathe came with the original tool post for the quick-set tools (on the tool boat) so I have removed that from the lathe. I then bought a 4 way toolpost, which wasn't right for several reasons which I won't bother going in to, exchanged it and the next one didn't work either. Anyway the long and the short of it is can anyone recommend a quality toolpost / holder that will get me started. There seems to be loads of stuff out there, I don't want to waste any more money buying expensive paper weights. Lathe centre is 3.5" above bed, I have a long cross slide and standard top slide. So am looking for:

Fits on the 7/16" stud on my top slide

Tool doesn't move in tool holder once tight. Should be able to take the whole of a 10mm tool securely (not some of it hanging out the edge)

Tool holder doesn't move in tool post once tight

Tool post doesn't move on top slide once tight

Height adjustable for at least 1/4" tools up to 10mm tools

I only do odd jobs so quick change is not imperative - anything quality considered that actually works.

The cog on my 4-way post that bolts to the top slide means the post doesn't sit square to the chuck when you twist it - the stops on it seem to be out - so when I start turning the post just moves back against the stop and the tool is at an angle. Not sure how other holders work.

Any help appreciated!

Cheers

Phil

Hi Phil

When I click the toolpost anti clockwise to the next postion them turn it back clockwise untill it's on the stop / pawl then tighten the main 7/16" clamp . If the toolbits are clamped it the 4 way tool post it should not move when taking a cut. . I f the post is out of square try moving the ratctet assembly round or do what i done make a new stop/pawl remember there is a little spring fitted to this
I can upload photo if required   This is on my S7 may be different to your ML7
Nobby

Edited By Nobby on 29/11/2012 16:58:47

Hi Phil, Paperweights! Can you modify them so that they function? If you are able to cheat, turn the top slide a little until your toolpost is square mit the chuck, simples.

Tool height, pack them up with shims (washers, coins folded £20 note etc).

Regards, Bear..

This is the best angle I could get.

It's a long while since I've had a look at one of these toolposts, so I can't bring to mind the layout of the ratchet mechanism, but wouldn't it be a fairly easy task to make up a new pawl of a slightly different length, to bring things into line as you wish i.e., about plus or minus half tooth pitch or less?

Martin.

I was surprised at first when there was no detent on the tool block to align it at 90deg. I thought of drilling holes for dowl pins but its a lot of steel to go through and get it right - tool room job and would probably take a week. Then I had an SBP moment (stupid boy Pike). Its obvious that Myford intended you to align the tool block on the front face of the cross slide with your 6in rule. Simple, crude and not for the purist (but then it is a Myford?)

Its amazing how many design faults you can see in an ML7, I think I'll start a separate thread on this

Looking at this photo I can see some ready made screws, and if they were longer, could be the basis of an external detent system that clicks up to form a stop and you press down to move the tool block round.

HI Guys & Phil
I would have thought when the toolspost was clamped down tight . wether square or not there shoud be no movement in the 4 way toolpost when turning . If so is your toolbit nice and sharp and ground correct or is the 7/16" nut/clamp bottoming before final clamping Its best to keep the topslide a zero for general turning in my veiw
Nobby

Do away with the ratchet wheel as Michael says I always found them a bit of a nuisance especially when screwcutting as I could never get the right angle on the toolpost to match the required topslide angle.

In the end I bought a Dickson type quick change post and some spare holders what a difference no shimming for a start.

_Paul_

I also agree with doing away with the ratchet, I have never found them useful either. My favourite toolpost was the Dickson as well.

There is also something fundamentally wrong if the whole toolpost is moving under cutting pressure. It shouldn't need a great deal of clamping force. Nobby makes a good point about that - is the surface of the topslide burred or out of true ?

Hi Phil,

Nice photo, you sorted that.

I have a ML7 too, sounds like good advice to remove the ratchet, mine has never lined up square. I will remove mine. It can't be a bad thing, the toolpost moving away from the work (Under extreme circumstances). Better than a hole in your head!

Regards, Bear..

The ratchet lines up just dandy on my cheap chinese import ;-P

Neil

HI all many thanks for your responses. It's a genuine Myford - I just got it from Myfords, it came in a Myford old box although it's not stamped on the main body anywhere. The first one they sent had a base that was 11mm thick - this meant even a 1/4 inch tool was above centre height. They said they acquired all the boxes from Myford and somehow that 4 way must have been in the wrong box - looks like it was meant for another lathe? Anyway I got the new one which has a 7mm thick base - this will take only up to 8mm thick tools - my 10mm are still a bit high. So apart from the ratchet issue I would now need to machine all my 10mm tools on the base, down to 8mm, in order to use them. Which sort of defeats the purpose of having the larger tools I guess. The first one had a ratchet which lined up perfectly on the lathe. Unfortunately I sent that one back - maybe if I still had it I could swap the ratchet over. Looks like there's a difference between the 2 ratchets.

To be fair the issue with toolpost movement is my fault - as my 10mm tool is too high. I started a test facing - once the cutting tip had no more brass to eat even with gentle pressure the turret moved. With the tool at correct height I'm sure this may not happen. I was still surprised however at how easily the turret moved even though it was clamped down. The topslide is perfect so it's not that by the way. Just made me think I'd rather just have the turret sitting against a ratchet stop in the first place, then I know it's all nice and solid.

I'm thinking just due to the ratchet being out - and really it should not be, coming from Myford - I may just return this one as well. The Dickson quick change type posts sound interesting. Can anyone suggest where to get a quality one that will hold 10mm tools?

Thanks

Phil

Hi Phil,
From the picture of your toolpost it looks like the thread does not go down as far as the surface of the toolpost. Are you sure that the thread does not reach the end of its travel before clamping the toolpost fully. Try putting a thick washer (That fits over the unthreaded part.) under the clamping nut / handle.
As you say that the base of the tool holder is 7 mm thick and will only allow the use of up to 8 mm tools (I assume this is because the centre height of a 10 mm tool would be too high.) then to use 10mm tools the base would have to be only 5 mm thick. I do not think you will find a toolpost with the base that thin.  I removed the ratchet on my lathe as I found in a nuisance when positioning the toolpost.

Les.

Edited By Les Jones 1 on 01/12/2012 09:43:06

I'm sure I have seen Dickson type toolposts advertised as being suitable height for Myfords, but can't remember where

RDG

Regards

T

Hi Graham & Terry,
I have the "Chronos" quick change tool holder ( MX90) that they sell for the Myford fitted to my Chester DB10-G. I think this is identical to the one "RGD" sell (Ref 725MYFORD) The base of the tool holders is 6.0 mm thick which would give Phil a reduction of 1.0mm tool height. I have used this toolpost for about two and a half years with no problems.

Les.