Myford tool posts and cutter tools

Hi fellow listers

Short story:

What are the range of sizes (minimum – maximum size cutter tools) that can be used in the elephants foot tool post? Is it correct to understand that the elephants foot tool post is similar to other tool posts in that one can shim any size cutter square to center height?

Longer story:

I am a new owner of a Myford 7 (excellent condition 1993 vintage and in need of guidance on tool posts and cutter tools. What came with the Myford was the “elephants foot” tool post and a few dozen 5/8” cutter squares with brazed carbide tips (all chipped up... appears the original owner did not learn how to grind/sharpen tools). Neither Myford’s quick setting lathe tools nor the Dickson QCTP were included in the inventory. Thus, I am seeking to understand the versatility and minimum, maximum capacity of the elephants foot tool post. Original owner was a model engineer. I am a clockmaker who understands how to grind HSS form tools and would like to do the same with this Myford. It is clear from listserv threads and Myford literature that if I had a QCTP that 3/8” tool blanks are the recommended choice. It is not clear the minimum size square for the elephant’s foot. I understand that larger squares provide more rigidity but more time consuming to grind. I would like to stay within 3/8” if the tool post is designed for that.

Additionally, there was no inventory of parting tools or parting tool holder. Could the owner really have just relied on a hack saw and facing tool? Seems out of place for a model engineer That said, I can envision grinding a parting tool form on a square and inserting in the elephants tool post. Is it designed for that? I am used to a rear tool post on my Sherline lathe and wish for the same advantage on my Myford. I see rear tool posts are sold for Myford. Any recommendations regards to what manufacturer or style

Thx much for any feedback

Dave Morrow, CC21

AWCI Certified Clockmaker

Dave

Not sure what an elephants foot tool post is like. On my myford I have a Dickinson type tool post and lots of holders make changing tools a lot quicker and I hold tools from 3/16th square upwards. Mine came from Chronos and am very pleased with it just took delivery of another 5 tool holders.

My father was a clockmaker FHBI but it didn't rub off on any of his children all we have to remember him by for his skill as a clockmaker is a clock each that my mother made him keep for each of us his speciality was oerory (spelling) clocks showing the movement of the sun and planets

Oliver

David

Go for the QCTP - it makes it all so much easier! 15 holders I think at the last count! I also have the Myford rear tool post for parting which is fine but I do have a couple of tiddly ones which I use in the front holder for delicate work / grooving. I'm pretty sure mine came from Chronos too and they are fine. You also might like to try the diamond tool holder - see the ad for Eccentric Engineering on this page

Regards

Norman

Edited By NJH on 01/11/2013 18:35:01

David, a good percentage of your work can be done with 1/4" sq HSS tools, in an appropriate tool holder. I suppose it depends on the clock you are making, a new one for the town hall tower, or one for your mantle piece.

Ian S C

I generally use 1/4 in square HSS toolbits for clockmaking. Sometimes just 3/16 round in a special holder that reduces overhang. 5/8 carbide tipped is way over the top for clockmaking. If you double the size of the tool you have to remove eight times as much material when grinding the form.

Russell.

Put packing under a smaller tool I don't use anything over 3/8"

Roy

Thx much for the replies. All help. I get your points. Forget the elephants foot and move on. That is a can do for me. Some questions to assist my purchase.

1. After much searching the best source so far is the genuine “Myford Ltd” website. I have not yet been able to find same in the states. Any reason not to buy from this source “ www.myford.co.uk”. I don’t like the vat and add’l ship costs. But this will be a one time purchase. I think I will also buy from them the new one piece ER25 collet chuck and corresponding set of collets at the same time.

2. Regards the Myford QCTP…what size for the Super 7? I thought I saw somewhere different size QCTP’s. That said, the Myford website only appears to sell one type/size. Appreciate clarification. I’ve sent them emails but don’t receive responses. I’ll keep trying.

3. Is it correct to understand the design of the Myford QCTP… that this same QCTP is capable of taking a variety of sizes…say from 3/16” up to 3/8”? Simply use the design of the post to adjust for center height?

4. Does anyone know whether I also need to purchase the tool post stud and nut to secure the QCTP to the cross slide. I have a tool post stud holding the elephants foot right now and am wondering if that will also work for the QCTP or whether I need to purchase?

5. Regards the Kit Q Cut parting tool from Greenland. Could someone better explain the design of this tool. The pics on Greenland’s website don’t do it justice. Does this tool fit into the standard Myford QCTP holder? I appreciate all the advantage possible when parting. Just would like to better understand tool’s design.

6. While I am at it, some questions regarding lubrication.

1. Is it correct to understand that any SAE 30w oil is ok? How frequent do folks really lubricate their machine? Any type of grease for the recommended grease points? Both the oil and grease I’ll need to buy in the states.
2. Regarding the grease points. Am I actually applying a bit of grease to all the gear teeth? I ask because that is a no-no with clock wheel teeth. I do see and feel grease there now. I do see in Ian Bradley’s book that using oil is effectively ok. So probably ok. Just wanting to double check. I don’t know the last time this machine was lubricated. The last think I want to do is hurt this beauty J

I could not find either an oil gun or oil at the owner’s home at pickup (owner actually passed away on me during negotiations and I ended up finalizing deal and pickup with other family members who were unfamiliar). Thus I’ll need to buy both the oil gun and oil. I see I can buy the oil gun from the Myford site, not the oil. The Myford manual instructs to oil “daily” in numerous areas. I am guessing this is probably for daily use which mine won’t get but wondering what folks actually do.

Again, thx for any guidance. Knowing that I could receive guidance was another of the key reasons for me to make the purchase, so thx.

Dave Morrow, CC21

AWCI Certified Clockmaker

Amsterdam, NY

Dave there are no grease points on a Myford they are all oil nipples If you have a gear box I would use gear oil if just change wheels then any oil should be ok

Roy

Dave, As far as I can see you are not living in the EU, if so and you buy from a EU registered firm and the goods are officially exported from the EU, than you do not have to pay VAT, they should give you zero rate. Niko.

If you can afford it, get a Multifix (or Fix-eclair) type QCTP, size. Aa. Most toolposts offer 2 or 4 positions, these provide 40. The toolholder can index around a splined turret. They are very expensive, reflecting the work that goes into making them. Cheapen Asian copies are available, some but not all of which are ok.

As for oiling, best get a manual, though you can't go wrong by doing it before every use.  Get a push type high pressure oil gun. 

Edited By jonathan heppel on 02/11/2013 15:58:34

Edited By jonathan heppel on 02/11/2013 16:07:27

Edited By jonathan heppel on 02/11/2013 16:16:12

David

The QCTP style post is common throughout the industry in various sizes to fit different machines.

The size shown on the Myford site is for the 7 series ( click to view)

The boats will take tool sizes from just over 1/8in up to 1/2" and some boats have a groove in the bottom to take a round shanked tool (eg a boring tool)

The tool post I have is just the same as the one shown but came, I think. from Chronos. The Myford boats fit OK.

You are correct - the tool isclamped in the boat and the tool height is set by adjusting the height of the boat on the toolpost by means of the knurled knob which is then locked by the cap screw. The boat is drawn into the toolpost by a clamp which is operated by the detatchable handle ( end facing you in the pic below)

The toolpost fits over your existing stud and you can use the existing nut or you may like to make life easier by making one like that in my photo.

Myford also sell a rear toolpost which has the same quick change form which has a special holder for a parting blade. See HERE

There is a user group for Myford lathes on Yahoo see HERE . In the FILES section there are copies of the original machine manuals containing all the information you need for lubrication and most other things. DO NOT USE GREASE ON THOSE THINGS THAT LOOK LIKE GREASE NIPPLES. They are for oil ( using the infamous Myford oil gun!

I hope you enjoy your Myford as much as I do mine.

Regards

Norman

David

I see that the first two links I posted above don't work. The relevant page is HERE so just search there.

The last link to the Myford user group works fine.

Regards

Norman

Edited By NJH on 02/11/2013 21:35:08

Folks – I’ve found this Dickson QCTP on Ebay. Can someone tell if this is a legitimate “genuine Dickson” as the seller advertises. Seller states condition is undamaged, normal use and will fit onto my Super 7 with the bush. Is the bush normally needed for a correct fit on the original toolpost? I don’t know how uncommon it is to find one of these. Any idea on a fair price?

**LINK**

thx. Dave

That's the genuine article and is the make Myford used when they first introduced the QCTP. The bush is needed to fit the Myford toolpost but also serves the purpose of a stop for the cams.

Andrew M

Yes David it is as Andrew says. However if you are in the US it does say "post to UK only."

The other disadvantage that I see is that the current price in the auction is £133 - about twice that of the version, new, from RDG which I think will do just the same job - (but , as they say, "you pays your penny and makes your choice" !)

Norman

Hi

Re buying a Myford oil gun. My advice is Don't bother.

I did and as much, if not more, oil leaked out, as went into the oil nipples.

Finally, I bought a Reilang oil gun. (They come in three sizes) It was more expensive than the Myford one, but it does not leak, works at virtually any angle, and gets the oil in.

When I sold the Myford 7, the genuine gun went with it, and I have been using the Reilang on my new lathe, (in preference to the oil can that came with it) and the older Mill/Drill, for the last ten years without any problems.

Howard