Bin Fodder or Repairable

Hello Blokes

A few years back I bought a ML7 Myford off a chap to use as a second lathe. Before the money was handed over, I had him show me the thing working, turning some rod down making chips using a HSS tool, no probs, everything worked & functioned, I twiddled the knobs so to speak, parted with the cash and loaded it up on the ute for home.

The lathe sat unused for 3 years, covered with a sheet and occasionally inspected, work, health and life crisis got in the way of using it, hell, we all been there at some point in our life.

Yesterday, I decide to get this thing set up and working, noticed the compound slide wason the sticking side, so I pulled it apart and this is what I discovered. Now, not saying the previous owner did the said milling of the dovetail ways, he had a workshop of bigger equipment, lathes, mills, shapers and the like and I figured he was not the type of bloke to butcher, and its sure as hell was not me either. ( for those you have had that thought already).

You can see the underside of the top slide has large gouges along part of its length, I think that was caused by the area that has pitting on the dovetail, particales of cast iron breaking free. The dove tail has been milled, you can see the marks of the cutter, it was a head shaking moment for me when I seen it. My question is, can it be repaired, or is it bin fodder.

Attachment 355543Attachment 355544DD

What makes you so sure it didn't leave the factory like that?
I'd say its a casting flaw.

Scrape in if you like.

Stuart

Dingo,

Looks like a new Chinese lathe slide....:)

I think a bit of careful scraping should bring it up to scratch (couldn't help that one).
The angled faces of the dovetail may be more important in creating a smooth and precise action of the slide, as long as there aren't any excessively high or low areas on the flat area shown.

Andrew.

I would be inclined to spend some time on it to long before deciding to throw it!

Simon

The hole is a casting flaw... The parallel scratch marks are just normal wear and tear marks...

Time to learn to scrape.. :)

I'd get a dremel or similar in just to lightly dress the pit (so there are no proud edges and nothing will break off). Run a stone over the scrape marks to again remove high spots and that will get you going. Scraping can be done for a better fit but provided there are no high spots it will still function*.

*Well, as well as it would have without the pit...

Michael

I wouldn't worry about it at all. The hole is a minor casting defect and the scratches are normal wear and tear. Leave it as is, unless your turning something that's really critical.

Ben.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dingo Dog

Hello Blokes

A few years back I bought a ML7 Myford off a chap to use as a second lathe. Before the money was handed over, I had him show me the thing working, turning some rod down making chips using a HSS tool, no probs, everything worked & functioned, I twiddled the knobs so to speak, parted with the cash and loaded it up on the ute for home.

The lathe sat unused for 3 years, covered with a sheet and occasionally inspected, work, health and life crisis got in the way of using it, hell, we all been there at some point in our life.

Yesterday, I decide to get this thing set up and working, noticed the compound slide wason the sticking side, so I pulled it apart and this is what I discovered. Now, not saying the previous owner did the said milling of the dovetail ways, he had a workshop of bigger equipment, lathes, mills, shapers and the like and I figured he was not the type of bloke to butcher, and its sure as hell was not me either. ( for those you have had that thought already).

You can see the underside of the top slide has large gouges along part of its length, I think that was caused by the area that has pitting on the dovetail, particales of cast iron breaking free. The dove tail has been milled, you can see the marks of the cutter, it was a head shaking moment for me when I seen it. My question is, can it be repaired, or is it bin fodder.

Attachment 355543Attachment 355544DD

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Mill finish, that is how the compound base is when new. Myford is just a good quality hobbylathe. Not a Schaublin or a Hardinge that costs 5 times more.

It's complete rubbish, chuck it………..in the post to me that is, as spare parts for mine:q

Nothing out of the ordinary there. Give it a light stoning, clean with kero, some fresh oil and play around with the gib strip and see if it feels any better.

It's complete rubbish, chuck it out to me ……….. I don't have a decent lathe. PM sent for address :D
I wish my Chinese POC mini lathe was that nicely machined. As others have already stated a bit of work and deburr, it would be a top notch lathe. Certainly good quality.
Kryn

I concur with previous comments :)

As a Myford owner I can confirm that there is little to be concerned about. As long as the gibs are clean and undamaged. I would wipe off the old oil and muck, give things a good coat of oil and reassemble it. Adjust the gibs so that it moves smoothly without binding. Then get on with making chips :U

Thanks Blokes, for all the info passed on, I will do as what as been suggested. Give it a good oiling and put it back together.

DD