Myford ML7 or Super

Hi

Has anybody got the complete dimensions for the spindle on ML7s and its derivetives, I'm just in the process of desgining a vertical machining center and want to use an ML7 spindle.

I am not making a spindle but need the overall dimensions to make sure it will fit and to machine up a spndle mount.

Any help would be much appriciated

Regards

Ian

Hello Ian,

I would think the full drawing for Myford spindles, and there will be a number of variants, will be protected by copyright vested with Myford.

If however you just want the detail of the nose for the spindles [ML7 all variants] so that you can fit Myford compatible chucks etc to your mill, the 3rd Edition of Tubal Cain's Model Engineer's Handbook shows it on page 3.8 with sizes and limits.

The book is widely available under ISBN 1-85486-134-4. Buy a copy and preserve his copyright as well; it contains a wealth of other useful information gleaned by the author in a lifetime in engineering

Brian

Hi Brian

Thank you for your reply

I know what the dimensions are for the spindle nose as I have made quite a few attachments for them. Its the overall dimensions I want as I want to use an actual genuine myford spindle so I won't be infringing copywright, however I don't want to go to the expense of buying a spindle if it won't fit into my head design, I'm drawing the whole machining center up in solidworks to check to see if it will work first,

I have already got a copy of the latest edition of Tubal Cains book, some of the info in the book is ok but I am a bit beyond most of it as I am an apprentice trained toolmaker / diemaker and have 45 years engineering experience, its just that I have never used a myford lathe but I have adapted most of the myford accessories to fit other machines, and I can't lay my hands on a spindle to measure it myself.

I'm building the machining center purely for my own benefit as its about time I learned CNC machiing properly.

Regards

Ian

Edited By Ian Lee on 24/01/2013 13:48:53

I can measure a Super 7 spindle for you but they are larger than ML7 spindle because of the taper bearing that is used behind the chuck.

If you are building a VMC then why restrict yourself with a Myford type spindle.

If you already had one, I could understand your philosophy however, you are limiting yourself to an MT2 spindle and a nose thread that really does not lend itself to milling operation.

If you are scratch building, I would suggest you investigate an R8 type spindle, these are available ready made for the Mini Mill, from Little machine shop for a very reasonable cost (although shipping and import can be a killer)

Failing that, A competent machine shop (or someone here) could produce a spindle for you. Or you could make yourself -looking at your profile I would suggest this is well within your capabilities.

Having had MT taper based mills in the past, I would never go there again, R8, or Int30/40 taper would be my choice for many reasons.

Just my tuppence to add to your thought process

regards

Graeme

Hi Kwil

Its the ML7 spindle in need as I believe they have a parrallel shoulder at the front bearing end.

Regards

Ian

Hi Graeme

Yes I thought of an R8 Spindle but they are not quite suitable for my actual needs, Although I have never owned a Myford I do have a lot of Myford tooling including collet chucks, dividing heads etc, the rationale for using a myford spindle is that I only have a limited space availability and limited budget, my VMC design is actually universal I suppose as I have based it on the Golmatic design.

I did consider making a spindle with an ISO30 taper as I have plenty of tooling for my current vertical milling machine, however I don't any longer have access to hardening and cyclindrical grinding facilities.

I also want to use it as a basic lathe/indexing head both in the horizontal and vertical planes, I have a number of motorized attachments which are easily adapted to fit, these attachments use Myford equipment.

I decided against converting my current milling machine to cnc due to its limitations (its an AEW Viceroy), however the design of my new machine is such that I can make all of the parts on my current machinery.

Ian

Ian,

Yes the ML 7 does have the plain parallel shoulder.

K