Myford dilemma

I'm in two minds at the moment, so I thought I'd crowdsource some ideas.

I'm way into the cleaning of the Myford ML7 I recently acquired, and I've started to make a list of jobs to do to get it back to proper function. So far I'll need to deal with the cross and top slide screw issues, and probably remake some bushings for the drive system. This lathe was apparently left in a shed for 10 years after the owner died. It doesn't look like it's been turned in that time.

My biggest issue is that it has the old white metal bearings and soft spindle. As many of you will know, Myford now sell a hardened spindle with matched phosphor bronze bearing shells. No replacements for the white metal bearings are available (that I can find). I did think about whether it would be possible to our new bearings into the old shells, but that sounds like a slippery slope. Ultimately I'm looking at fixing this up and moving it on. I have a Hercus that meets my turning needs.

So...

Do I carry on fixing what I can and maybe buy a secondhand soft spindle and bearings (on eBay for around $300), or buy a new spindle (paying what seems like a ridiculous price)?

OR, do I start to part out the lathe to recoup costs. This lathe came with some accessories, including 2 x 4.5" face plates, a 9" slotted plate, 4 dogs, the myford milling slide with myford vice that looks like it's never been used, and a tailstock level attachment. There is also a tool rest, I guess for woodturning on the lathe? All of it barely used. There is also quick a bit of tool steel, including some 1" sized bits that I'm never going to use.

I don't like the idea of splitting this lot up, but I can't keep it, and plowing more money into it seems like a bad idea. Especially when I've just bought another motorcycle, and I've already promised to sell a couple of the parts bikes to keep family harmony (and free up space).

What do you all think? Keep going or start taking pictures of all the parts?

Martin


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