On Fri, 25 Feb 2005 11:51:42 GMT, "John" <***@msn.com> wrote:
John,
Post by JohnWhat can people tell me about the ML10, what to look out for its
disadvantages etc.
Production has been discontinued but Myford still give full support with spares,
etc.
Possible disadvangages are
* No gap in bed so maximum turning size over the bed is 3 1/4" radius. This
can be a problem for model engineers who want to occasionally turn large(r)
diameter items.
* The original ML10 had comparatively low top mandrel speeds which made turning
small diameter material a bit difficult. The later Speed 10 and Diamond 10
versions had double the mandrel speed which improved matters
* As supplied, the original ML10 had a 'short' cross-slide which was a bit
cramped when using a back toolpost. Myford supply an upgrade kit which gives an
extra slot on the cross-slide which makes setups a whole lot easier.
* No tumbler reverse on the leadscrew feed.
* The maximum length between centres could be a bit longer since things can get
a bit cramped with a chuck in the headstock and something like a 1/2" drill in
the tailstock, but they did make a long bed version (they had a re-conditioned
one on the Myford stand at the Bristol show).
* (Personal one) The rack feed of the cross-slide is accomplished by having a
16T gear in mesh with the leadscrew. This doubles as a thread indicator but
the gearing of the arrangement, with a smallish handle, makes use of the rack
feature a bit difficult and I tend to do a lot of cross-slide movement using the
leadscrew.
I can't think of any more :-) I've had my original ML10 for well over 30 years
(it was bought during Ted Heath's three day weeks) and it has worked extremely
well for everything I've used it for. It can use a lot of the Myford
accessories, and has it's specific accessories like fixed and travelling
steadies. The original lathe has plain steel in cast iron bearings which do
need to be looked after. I actually ran the bearings in my countershaft early
on in the life of the lathe due to forgetting to lubricate it. I fitted wick
feed lubricators to the headstock bearings to try and avoid forgetfulness and
try and remember the countershaft. I probably over-lubricate it as the
vertical line down the wall behind the lathe shows :-)
I would say that the lathe is a very good buy. You can move it around by
yourself if you strip off some bits, and the bed looks as though it would be an
easy matter to re-grind if you ever thought of having that done.
If you're looking at buying a secondhand one, I would check out the headstock
and countershaft bearings if it is an original ML10. If well looked after,
they should be OK (I still haven't had to adjust my headstock bearings in 30+
years), but if there's any play then get a bit worried since that might be a
sign of the bearings being shot and I think that means a replacement headstock
and mandrel.
Jim.