myford lathe ml7 refurbishment model engineering mikes-models

MYFORD ML7 Refurbishment

I had to opportunity to purchase a 'scruffy' ML7 so I thought I would take a
chance and buy it with the opportunity to tidy it up then see whether I keep it
and sell my ML10 or vice versa. Time will tell.

23rd February 2008 I make a start and see if I have a working motor!
24th February 2008 The working motor is painted in Myford Green paint.
25th February 2008 Brief session sealing the bench top
26th February 2008 more parts degreased/inspected/cleaned - bench part
painted
5th March 2008 Start made on a new switch housing

Myford Refurbishment

23rd February 2008 Session 1

After spending some time previously making the new bench , I started by
stripping the lathe to see what was what. Then I tackled wiring the motor up
to the switch (received with the lathe, in a bit of a bodged box). When
received, the wires had been cut between the motor and the switch, so I had
to work out what was what. The moment came to switch the motor on and it
was with a bit of trepidation that I plugged it into the mains. It was even more
‘interesting’ to turn the Myford switch on….but was pleased when the motor
ran both forwards and in reverse. I now need to buy a couple a couple of
belts in anticipation of bolting it all together.

I then spent the rest of my time in the workshop sanding and cleaning the
electric motors case, and then spraying it in primer. That was it for today.
Short and sweet in description but an hour or so of work.

Time spent today 2 hours. Total to date 2 hours.

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24th February 2008 session 2

Today the undercoat sprayed yesterday, was sanded down and the after
cleaning, painted with the green Myford paint. I will repaint all of the lathe as
whilst the rest of the lathe is a Myford green its certainly not the same as my
paint! Yesterday evening I took the opportunity to paint the motors base
plate. Allowing me to paint the motor whilst standing on its own base bracket.
Short and sweet...

Time spent today 30 minutes. Total to date 2hr 30 minutes.

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25th February 2008 session 3

Had a brief 'preparatory' session today whereby I sealed the edges of the tray
on the new bench, ready for a protective coating of Hammerite (black
hammered finish). I needed to do this now if I wanted to put a coat of paint on
tomorrow, prior to a wash down and clean of the lathe base prior to painting

Time spent today 30 minutes. Total to date 3hrs

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26th February 2008 session 3

Today I managed to paint over half the top tray now the sealant has hardened.
Next time I will be able to locate and drill the correct location before
completing the painting. I also took the opportunity to paint some of the
framework. I then continued with the stripping down and inspecting parts prior
to their repainting and I will need to buy a couple of bits but in the main I
should say this lathe has sat a long time rather than being worked hard. There
doesn't seem to be very much wear considering its age.

Time spent today 1 hour. Total to date 4hours.

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5th March 2008 session 4

With the lathe came the basis of the Dewhurst switch, housed in a rather
makeshift housing of wood and aluminium. I decided to make a new housing,
based on the switch housing supplied with my Myford ML10, from which I
took the approximate dimensions. My switch case will be made from sheet
steel and the rough sizes [photo 1 to the left] were cut by an air driven nibbler.

The design requires 4 pieces of sheet steel. The top and bottom pieces [photo
2 on the left],the back, and the main body. The tops were cut using my
Proxxon band saw and this tool will be used to make all the other cuts. Once
the top tabs have been cut out the main body will be rolled into shape, then
the two tabs at each end will be bent to 90deg, as will the top and bottom
tags.

Onto this rolled main body, the top and bottom cover will be welded or
riveted. To ensure they were a matching pair, I used a file by drawing it over
the two, when clamped together in the vice. The back will be screwed or
bolted to the main body and a bracket will hold the new casing onto the lathe
bench. The switch itself will be attached to the top plate and a new handle
produced.

I am at the cutting out stage at the moment, and will treat this as a bit of an
infill to the Mills diesel engine construction.

Time spent today 1 hour. Total to date 5hours.