Myford Type 1 clutch maintenance

Hi All, I am new to the forum but have been reading what I can on Myford lathes since recently aquiring one. I am not new to lathes but new to the myfords.

My Myford ML7 has an early clutch and all is working well however apart from oiling the bearings what general maintenance is required of the clutch/counter shaft?

There seems to be many knowledgeable people on the forum so thought Id join and ask the question, as I have not read much on general clutch maintenance (if anything) that is required of them. Mine appears to have been running for many years without much issue.

Is is worth buying a spare countershaft/clutch assembly for when its needed?

Regards

Steve

Hi Steve,

As far as I know the ML7 only had 1 type of clutch available from Myford, that was the one using brakes shoe from a moped inside a drum. There were designs for shop-made ones. I was going to include the Myford info, which is in my photos, but as usual this website is being unusable. Will post it later.

The Super 7 had 2 types of clutch, the "Mk1" was enclosed inthe pulley spoindle (that's a type of spindle!) and can be temperamental. The "Mk2" is the familiar cone clutch on the end of the spindle (or spoindle).

Mk2 is covered in all the manuals, ask on this forum for details on the Mk1

Basically, lubricate and adjust as per intructions and they all last a long time. It would be an expensive job to buy a good used one just in case you need it, so I wouldn't bother.

Phil

Hi Steve

Apologies - I completely misread your post (and the one following).  My comments below apply to the MK1 clutch fitted to a Super 7, not yours.  You may however, find the link of interest.  I presume you will NOT need to lubricate the moped brake type clutch.

If you copy and paste the following link into your browser, you'll get details of part of the clutch mechanism.

http://www.lathes.co.uk/myfordrebuild/www.onepoint6.co.uk/Myford/Countershaft_and_Clutch.htm

Don't worry about the text as he is rebuilding an ML7. The main part of your clutch is inside the cone pulley (sadly, not shown) and is activated by the bits in the first picture in the link.

The clutch is basically a spring clip (like you'd put onto a shaft and which fits in a groove), but is around 20mm thick. The ends get pushed apart by the clutch push-rod and causes the outer diamerer to engage with the inside of the cone pulley.

Lubricate it (oil only and fairly sparingly) via the nipple in the cone pulley.

The only thing you might need to do is adjust the push rod (through the hole in the pulley, should the clutch slip. Mine was adjusted the once and has been OK since (touch wood).

Spares are no longer available for this clutch, so if it breaks you are in trouble. You can apparently fit one of the newer Myford clutches (it would be interesting for someone who has done this to provide comment re difficulty, etc.). I recently bought a little used Mk1 clutch complete, on fleabay for £90 - just in case.

Hope this helps.

Regards Tom

Edited By Tomfilery on 20/08/2013 16:45:24

Edited By Tomfilery on 20/08/2013 16:45:47

Tom,

Have a look at this thread Myford S7 - Type 1 clutch - advice sought.

Steve

Still can't get picture into posting. Have a look in "My Photos" ML7 clutch

Phil

Thanks Tom and Phil for the info and links. Thanks also for that extra diagram Phil - as it all helps.

Still, its not quite clear how to adjust if things slip. though I assume that effectively the 'brake' shoes would need to engage more tighly in the 'drum' to stop it. To do this I guess you can screw in a little the screw at the end of the 'cam lever' arm (on your diagram Phil) - how else can it be adjusted?

Also sounds like they will operate well for years with appropriate lubrication. do they need oiling other than the nipples on the 'Swing head" (where the brass oilite bearings are). or is there somwhere to lube it at the drum/pulley end. ... and what about the actuating shaft inside?

Luckily at the moment mine is working well - I just want to make sure I can do my best to keep it that way as its a great little lathe.

Regards

Steve

Hi Steve,

My ML7 is also fitted with the clutch unit from new - from memory I have a supplement sheet as supplied from new and I could scan this if you would like a copy - wont be able to get it scanned until Monday. You are correct in terms of adjustment - there is a grubscrew with locknut on the arm and this increases the pressure on the brake shoes as you screw it in against the pushrod.

Many thanks,

Neil

Neil, if you look at the image "ML7 clutch" in my album, you will probably find it is the same as yours. I have been trying to insert the image into the post, but the system to do this is not working, at least not in IE,

Steve, as well as the 2 oil nipples, you can oil the lever end at the obvious pressure points, and you can lubricate the pivot points at the brake shoe ends inside the drum, but I would only use Copaslip or similar for this, and use it sparingly, as that is designed for use in brake systems and won't "creep" onto the linings.

I will scan a page fom the Myford ML7 lathe manual (Ian Bradbury) which will give you a clearer idea of how it works, but again you will have to look at it in my "My Photos" for now.

Phil

Edited By John Stevenson on 23/08/2013 23:51:32

thanks Phil have found it ok in your photos.

Cheers

Steve,

So are you now happy that you know all you need? It's a while since I had an ML7 with clutch, so am working from memory (unreliable) and those publications I have put in MyPhotos.

BTW, if you should need to get the shoes relined, I have a spare pair that would keep you going whilst you sort out the relining.

Sod's law says that this sort of slow maintenance only crops up when you need the lathe urgently!

Phil

Phil, Thanks for all your info re the Myford clutch. have saved the image for reference.

Have been busy for a few days so just getting back to it now. Pretty sure I have it sorted out now.

(have also sent you a message)

Cheers