Lathe question

[Olderisbetter]

I am looking at getting a Myford lathe, I have seen ML7 and Super7 models listed in places, Is there a big difference in those models as they look the same to me, Thanks.

 

[bigegg]

Any reason to specifically get a myford?

There's other similar spec'd lathes for less money?

Can't answer your question, I'm afraid.

 

[tlovatt]

I am looking at getting a Myford lathe, I have seen ML7 and Super7 models listed in places, Is there a big difference in those models as they look the same to me, Thanks.

Well worth a good read:

http://www.lathes.co.uk/myford/index.html

Do keep in mind you pay a premium for a Myford.

 

[Arc Tourist]

Have a look on " lathes.co.uk ". There is a wealth of information about Myford lathes, and a lot of other machinery there.

 

[Olderisbetter]

Any reason to specifically get a myford?

There's other similar spec'd lathes for less money?

Can't answer your question, I'm afraid.

I guess Myford is all i have ever seen in small work shops, I have been offered a ML7 with a few bits and 2 chucks for £475,
@tlovatt, thanks thats a whole lot of reading up.

 

[bigegg]

I guess Myford is all i have ever seen in small work shops, I have been offered a ML7 with a few bits and 2 chucks for £475,
@tlovatt, thanks thats a whole lot of reading up.

That's not a bad price if there's plenty of bits with it.

 

[brightspark]

That's not a bad price if there's plenty of bits with it.

as long as its not worn out you really need to see it and check the bearings and slides for wear all along the bed

 

[tlovatt]

I guess Myford is all i have ever seen in small work shops, I have been offered a ML7 with a few bits and 2 chucks for £475,
@tlovatt, thanks thats a whole lot of reading up.

At £475, check it is in reasonable condition but that is a good price - you would have no problem selling it on at a profit.

There are other lathes in that sort of size range, I ended up with a Boxford ME10 as a benchtop lathe - they are a bit more capable than a Myford, but whatever you get you will wish you had bigger! At work we have a lathe with a 5m swing and the machinists still wish it was a bit bigger at times!

Personally the only reason I did not go for a Myford was the price premium, for one with some chucks and some tooling I could not find a decent one cheaper than well over £1k. If you can get access to have a little test play, personally, I would have little hesitation at that price.

 

[frank horton]

as far as I'm aware the main diff is that the S7 has a thread cutting gearbox as standard but have seen 1 or 2 without the g/box.......
there is a Boxford lathe around the same size but only a little cheaper but worth the difference ?????
I sold my 1'st S7 to buy a Colchester Student 6" but regreted it very quickly so had to buy another S7.......

as they say u pays ur money........
all depends what u wanna do......but what ever u start out with job wise u'll regret not having a gearbox for thread cutting and feeding......and u'll out grow it anyway unless ur making clocks......hence my buying the Colchester.......

u'll c Warco advertised but all I seem to c on forums is that they are always in trouble....Chinese.....

thing is with Myford u'll pay a premium but they maintain their value and the good un's actually increase in value.....
I like em but not had too much use of other small machines but guess I've been spoilt.....

there are a few people that say all kinds a bad things about Myford but mostley they cant afford em.....and if u look most of em have the flat belt drive models from to 20's and 30's........just depends on what u wanna get from it.....

take ur time looking there will be a good un come along soon enough.......there are a lot of worn out dog's as well.......
quite a few dogs get bought up by "so called traders" they flash paint em and flog em to the unwary for a lot of money.....

look at homeworkshop.org.uk there are a few "traders" on there......remember the names for ref........

best is to ask around, look at model steam societies locally and model engineering clubs.......
but don't be in a rush, better to wait and get 1 from a user not a seller......most get sold on due to berievement or people just get too old.....other makes are OK if the guy that selling it can ease u into learning their ways.........
lastley get 1 with tooling etc cos that specialised stuff is very expensive and could cost as much as the lathe again........

so u can find a user for around the £1500 and then they just get dearer........
mine was stored from new in wax and 4 years ago I paid £3750 for it and that was a bargain.......actually wouldnt sell it for double the price........
wish u all the luck.......hope this helped a bit........

 

[Fazerruss]

Both ML7 and S7 were available with screw cutting gearbox. Main differences are the S7 has powered cross slide and the tail stock is a nicer design. The ML7 tail stock has the lead screw protruding from the centre of the hand wheel so gets in the way when fully retracted.
Most ML7's also don't have a clutch to disengage motor.

 

[dobbslc]

At that price go and have a look and make sure to give it a test to see how it cuts. If it seems to machine ok on a 1" piece of mild steel I'd have it away quick!
If it has a 3 & 4 jaw Chuck, face plate, tail stock, tailstock chuck etc and a few tools it's worth it.

 

[brightspark]

Both ML7 and S7 were available with screw cutting gearbox. Main differences are the S7 has powered cross slide and the tail stock is a nicer design. The ML7 tail stock has the lead screw protruding from the centre of the hand wheel so gets in the way when fully retracted.
Most ML7's also don't have a clutch to disengage motor.

not all super 7 have power crossfeed the earlier ones haven't. its no big deal mind

 

[Fazerruss]

not all super 7 have power crossfeed the earlier ones haven't. its no big deal mind

You're probably right. I dug out my original brochures with the specs. They also did an ML7R that was very similar to a S7 .


I've never seen a blue myford. Check out the price, and that was for a new one!!!

 

[Fazerruss]

Or a yellow one.....

 

[Fazerruss]

Kid needs a hair cut.....

 

[God mode restorations]

They did a big bore version to.

 

[brightspark]

was just askin me bruv what he payed for his super 7 with gearbox. 400 quid it has hardly been used and in mint condition as he has another couple of lathes

 

[Fazerruss]

My dad bought this new in 1980 for £1200



I'm getting a little if no use ex uni Colchester Bantom soon but can't bring myself to part with the old girl.

 

[Fazerruss]

There's s Del boy joke here somewhere.....

 

[brightspark]

My dad bought this new in 1980 for £1200

View attachment 148764

I'm getting a little if no use ex uni Colchester Bantom soon but can't bring myself to part with the old girl.

I have a ml7 from new and use it a lot .no clutch on it but bought another ml7 that has one on it for 100 quid so going to rob it off and put it on mine I have a Harrison but wouldn't part with the myford