Myford lathe
History
The Myford super 7 lathe arrived at Nottingham hackspace in November 2011 thanks in part to members pledges.
The Myford company started in 1934, was based here in Nottingham (Beston to be exact) and only closed it doors due to liquidation back in July 2011.
The ML7 lathe was launched in August 1946, retailing at £34.00 excluding motor.
Later replaced by the the Super 7 in April 1953 build around the same design but with number of new features and improvements. Both models have been very successful and often favoured by hobbyists and model engineers.
The Hackspaces Super 7 has been dated to around January 1973.
Pledges
Specification
Some basic details on the lathe.
| Serial Number | SK1106001CM |
| Distance between centres | 19" / 482mm |
| Swing over bed | 7" / 117.8mm |
| Swing over cross slide | 4"1/8 / 104mm |
| Cross slide travel | 6"3/8 / 161mm |
| Top slide travel | 2"3/4 / 69mm |
| Spindle speeds | 14(25-2105rpm) |
| Motor | Single phase 3/4hp (1450rpm) |
Tooling
We have a wide collection of accessories and tooling to go with the Super 7. See links for pictures.
- 3 Jaw 4" self centring chuck, most use method for mounting work
- 4 Jaw 6" Independent chuck [1]
- 4 Jaw 3"1/2 independent chuck [2]
- 7" faceplate [3]
- Driver plate with peg, used to mount work between centres (we need a lathe dog) [4]
- Angle mounting plate, goes on faceplate to mount work [5]
- Fixed Steady, used support the end of long work piece [6]
- Drill Chucks [7]
- Jacobs No34, 1-13mm
- Jacobs No36, 5-20mm
- Unknown make, 4-16mm
- Centre dills, BS1-BS5
- Dead Centre [8]
- Live Centre [9]
- Vertical Slide, use for milling operations [10]
- Small machine vice, for mounting on the cross slide or vertical slide [11]
- Rear tool post, came with original Myford box but missing original spanner [12]
- HSS Cutters, the lathe arrived with a wide selection [13] [14]
Safety
DO NOT OPERATE THE LATHE UNTILL YOU HAVE BEEN INDUCTED, see below for details.
As always at the backspace YOU are responsible for your own safety, proper machine operation and safety of those around you.
Borrowed most of the following from Mini-lathe.com & lathes.co.uk --'RepRap' Matt
- Always wear eye protection
- Wear short sleeve shirts, if possible, or shirts with snugly fitting cuffs if long sleeve
- Loose sleeves can catch on rotating work and quickly pull your hand or arm into harm's way. 'RepRap' Matt has the scar to prove this point!
- Remove wrist watches, necklaces, chains and other jewellery
- Tie back long hair so it can't get caught in the rotating work
- Never, ever, leave a chuck key in a chuck.
- Get in the habit of removing the chuck key immediately after use
- Never remove your hand from the chuck key when it is in the chuck
- Keep your fingers clear of the rotating work and cutting tools
- Avoid reaching over the spinning chuck
- For filing operations, hold the tang end of the file in your left hand so that your hand and arm are not above the spinning chuck
- After setting up any turning job, take a moment to pull the job round by hand to check that everything clears
Maintenance
Inductions
All members are welcome to undertake a lathe induction, the induction is there to instruct you in the safe usage of the lathe. It will also give you the skills needed to do most of the basic lathe operations.
Induction cost £10, to cover cost of materials and lathe maintenance.
'RepRap' Matt will be holding 1on1 sessions.
More details and sign up table can be found here Inductions