Cowell sensitive tailstock attachment

I have just aquired a Myford Super 7 which will replace my well-cared-for and little used, ML7, owned since 1969. My dilemma is what do I do with the Cowell sensitive tailstock attachment fitted to the ML7? it is brilliant for all aspects of tailstock work, including large and small drills, tapping and reaming, allowing the tool to be extracted quickly to clear swarf, or just following the work. Do I swap the tailstocks? effectively upgrading the ML7 and potentially devaluing the Super 7? The Super 7 will see me out! (I've had the ML7 for 45 years) so I'm not too worried about it's long term value.

The Super 7 is in excellent original condition with very little measurable and visible wear (The serial number and date cast into the bed indicates it was manufactured in 1972).

The Super 7 has now been cleaned (it came up like new) and the angular contact bearings have been replaced as they had been greased with a molyslip type grease and were noisy when cleaned and correctly oiled. The front cone-bearing is in excellent condition. (see my Album for the full story)

Phil H

I would look out for a second hand ML7 tailstock to use your Cowells attachment on.

I have an S7, and just like you wanted to keep the rack and pinion tailstock, I just swap the complete unit as when needed, you should be able to get hold of a second hand ML7 tailstock for reasonable money.

Whatever you do, don't sell the Cowells unit, you will be extremely lucky to ever find another if you do !!

Phil

Edited By Phil P on 17/08/2014 09:37:24

Hi Phil P

Thanks for that, the Cowell is a nice piece of kit and the Myford S7 equivalent very expensive.

I will keep the Cowell unit and hope to find an ML7 tailstock in good condition.

Regards

Phil H

Just in case anyone is wondering what we are talking about, here is mine in action with a Coventry die head.

Phil

Hi Phil P

Thanks for your photo and explanation I should have included a photo with my first post - I'm new to posting on forums so am learning all the time.

I see you have a stop collar on the end - excellent idea to stop running out of rack.

Regards

Phil H

Many years ago, I managed to buy one of those [excluding the Myford-specific attachment collar] from N. Mole & Co. in Watford; then adapted the tailstock of a very old lathe to take it ... yes, it was well worth the effort !

By the way: I remember that Mr. Mole had a brand new, still greased-up in its shipping crate, Round-Bed Drummond stored on a shelf awaiting his retirement ... I do hope he got to use it.

MichaelG.

I sure I bought mine from Mole's in Watford also, probably in the 80's, can't be sure, but it is a very useful attachment.

Regards

Phil H

Hi again,

I had to make a collar to facilitate reassembling what had been a jammed Jacobs 1/2" Drill chuck.

Here is a 1" drill bit being used in the Cowell sensitive drilling attachment showing it capability.

Phil H,

Do as suggested and look out for another ML7 tailstock to use with the Cowell's.

The Myford attachment for the Super 7 tailstock is so unwieldy and awkward, and involves the complete dismantling of the tailstock to fit, that many do as I do and have a separate ML7 tailstock with sensitive drilling attachment and simply swap tailstocks as the need arises.

Phil (R)

Edited By Robbo on 18/08/2014 22:25:43

Looking at the pictures of this device, it looks like it should be eminently feasible to come up with a home-made version. Does anyone know (or could someone check) the rack and pinion ratio ..... say the distance travelled for one complete turn of the capstan?

Many (many) years ago there was a couple of articles in ME - when it was roughly A5 size, presumably in the early 60s - on exactly this device. I found it in one of the second hand MEs that I was prone to buying and copied it and scaled it down for my Cowells 90 that I had at the time. It was never finished (although I suspect I still have the block of steel with and angled face cut into it) and the magazine is in one of the dozen or so boxes of MEs awaiting our next move so that I can have them accessible again.

Maybe the thought will trigger some memories - or access to a comprehensive index?

Simon

I've got the attachment for the Super 7 and don't have any issues with it, actually I find it invaluable. Size of the tailstock aside by the photos it doesn't appear any larger.

Paul

Thanks for the pointer. According to Dias Costa's database search program, this sounds like ME Vol-107 Issue 2672 (7-Aug 1952).

Bandersnatch,

ME No 2672 contains an article about (reviewing/describing) the Cowells attachment, so there are no measurements.

There is a pic of it dismantled. If you want to see it PM me your email address. I don't know of another article.

Phil

Phil,

see pm

From memory it was a proper constructional article - I was less confident to go designing my own stuff in those days so I am sure I would have started from a solid basis. Maybe it was called something like 'Capstan' tailstock or rack operated?

Simon

A little bit of history, here

MichaelG.

Searching on "rack tailstock" in Dias's database gives a 2-part Martin Cleeve construction series in 1956 and a 2-part follow-up in 1960 which sounds like it could be what you remember, Simon.

The relevant issues are 2877 & 2879 (Vol-115) and 3091 & 3093 (Vol-123).

How do folks feel about seeing an article like this reprinted in the pages of MEW?

Is it too specialist?

Would it have wider interest?

Would you feel cheated or delighted?

Neil