ML7 Restoration Update

Many thanks to members in this forum for tips and tricks, the ML7 Restoration is coming on nicely!

Before:

More photos here.

Status so far:

More photos here.

The headstock makes a good comparison.

Cleaned up, repainted, oiled and handle stripped, repainted and repolished.

Matt

Its looking good far from the state it was in.

Being new here and not seeing your previous threads/posts, can I ask did you have any work done to the bed ie:- re-ground?

Edited By Raymond Sanderson 2 on 11/08/2014 00:50:04

Hi Raymond,

I haven't reground the bed, it is an expensive process and I wanted to assess the accuracy first (TBC). I do have some concerns - the previous owner had filled all the oilers full of grease (not oil) and the saddle has definitely got some wear, and the beds have a couple of dings where heavy things seem to have been dropped.

However, I completed the saddle and tailstock and adjusted the gibs yesterday. I was expecting them to be loose around the headstock end and tight at the tailstock, but even when fitted very close at the headstock the saddle moved smoothly right to the tailstock which suggests that the wear is not too bad.

I have to run the lathe yet and see how tight it is when it is finished.

To clean the beds I just used some strong solvent to get all the grime off and then some Roloc, blue fine surface conditioning discs to remove any stains and light rust after some advice on one of these forums.

I then cleaned and wiped and then applied the Slideway 68 (Smith and Allan 5L is great value).

Matt

Thanks Matt always good to find help when needed with good ideas and info.

I was lucky with mine some adjustment required and so far no major hassles other than the drip oilers they are so easy to change from a drip to a gusher. I am still having trouble I am seriously thinking going to a heavy oil not sure what it is which was given to me either air tool oil or AC type oil. The topic has been done to death on a number of forums. It might be replacement that fixes it.

There is an article on improving drip feed oilers in MEW issue 219, might have a go when I get a functional workshop back.

Raymond - I got a tip from one of these forums I think (I saved the text) and have been very pleased with the oils so far.

"I was therefore very pleased to find Smith and Allan (www.smithandallan.com). They stock a very wide range of lubricants (and other items of interest). From the website it at first appeared that they only sold items like slide way oil in 20 litre or more volumes. However on contacting them I found that they were happy to supply 5 litre packs, and prices are excellent. For example 5 litres Slideway 68 is £13.09 +vat, 5 litres ISO 32 spindle oil £12.33 +vat, 5 litres Neatcut 32 £15.08 +vat."

Their phone number is: 01325 462228

Matt

V8Eng - can you share the MEW article with me by any chance?

I have got the full subscription, but after months of trying to get it sorted out, I have been unable to access the archives (main reason for buying the subscription in the first place). I'm about to recondition my oilers, so I'd be interested in any tips there.

Matt

Hi Matt.

219 is the current issue of MEW, perhaps if Neil is available he can help sort your subs issue.

I only have online subs and, do not know how to link you into the system, sorry not able to be more helpful there.

V8Eng read that last night he's right on all accounts. You never know whats been done by previous owners as far as the plunger is concerned.

I had mine running spot on but closed off drained over night.

(Raymond - I got a tip from one of these forums I think (I saved the text) and have been very pleased with the oils so far.)

Matt thanks for the info but I am in Sydney will be checking with my supplier here of tool gear. Son is also looking into it as well.

On another note re-rebuild rather upgrade.

I have just read through the 3 part article on the bearing replacement for the ML7.

Now that I'd like to do as an upgrade. I found the article interesting except it seemed to leave out one main aspect. What did he do to upgrade the speed?? Article was in MEW 210, 211, 212.

No indication as to pulley or motor change, speeds achieved etc. How the back gears are effected.

A couple of years ago I was looking into parts for My ML7, during that exercise I found a company in Coventry supplying oilers and lube systems, including drip feeders in various sizes.

I got a set of secondhand units so did not use the company, but for anybody interested, their web address is:-

**LINK**

Matt, I am very impressed with what you doing to your ML7, makes mine look really tatty!

Edited By V8Eng on 13/08/2014 12:34:44

OOPS, managed to post the same thing twice!

Edited By V8Eng on 13/08/2014 12:10:11

v8Eng - figured out the article was MEW not ME. I think I need to change my subscription tbh.

Thanks for the encouragement - mine probably looks nice so far because it aint being used yet! We'll see if it holds up after some usage.

Matt

I also note you are using good quality paint from Smith and Allan. I will only use Tractol/Tekaloid paints and I have used them for as long as I can remember. Excellent quality.

The first thing I would have checked would have been the beds and slides, they wear rapidly.

Mine was the old tin bearing which broke up. Made two new phospur bronze bearings and scraped them in. Larger container screwed in to each oil feed permanently topped up with Brooke and Compton 1hp hanging off back transformed it in to something usable.

Used Smith and Allen the last 4 years pretty good I use the Hydraulic 32 for slides and hyd rams, 68 for gearboxes.

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