I'm after a lathe

[Roy L]

Guys

I'm looking to buy a lathe and having read through past threads, often somebody knows someone who has one or two they're hoping to get rid off.

Ideally, I'm after a Myford ML7 or Super 7 due to ease of collection and space demands but would consider a similar British made machine if transportation and space requirements aren't too great.

Can anybody help?

Thanks in advance.

RL

[Lloyd Barnes]

Plenty of ML7's on Ebay. Going rate seems to be about £5-600 for one thats in full working order but perhaps needs a lick of paint. I just sold mine and replaced with a Colchester. Myfords are pretty solidly built machines, so even a tatty one that would clean up is worth a look as long as everythings working.

I'd also have a think about exactly what you want to use it for. Having switched from the Myford to a Colchester Student the difference is night and day. Whilst the Myford is a superbly built machine and makes small parts with ease, there is a very definite limit to the cut you can take, which can make turning a laborious process on larger items. I needed to make some bronze bushes yesterday, the Colchester did them in 10 minutes, I know the Myford would have taken a couple of hours. The Colchester is not that much bigger but a whole heap heavier requiring proper lifting so its not without its downsides. Possibly not the right choice for you but definitely worth thinking through the options before you buy.

[Roy L]

Lloyd

I had seen your post in the recent 'phase' thread where you spoke of the differences between the two and I can see the immediate advantage of a Colchester (or similar capable) lathe.

My lathe experience amounts to making a very rubbish key fob and assorted missiles to throw at other kids in CDT, so will be using the lathe to learn how to turn. I didn't fancy a cheap import as would like something which will last and when / if I am up to producing anything close to being respectable, would reassess the lathes capabilities and upgrade. Additionally, I didn't want the hassle of additional transportation costs involved in the purchase.

Maybe a little short sighted but I figured that if I bought a working but tatty Myford, I would recover my money on a sale we're I to upgrade (as you appeared to have done).

[Lloyd Barnes]

Makes a lot of sense. I was very much in the same position, having used lathes at school but not since. The Myford was a great re-introduction as when I got stuff wrong, the belts just slipped rather than big chunks of steel and fingers flying everywhere!!

I reckon if you can find a tatty one, particularly if it has its original stand, then you can almost certainly make a profit if you ever sell it on. A weekends work with a wire wheel in a grinder and a fresh coat of paint to make it shiny and the buyers flock. When I sold mine, I'd only really resprayed the cabinet and tidied it up along with fixing a few very minor things. By the end of the auction it had over 160 watchers, 14 bidders, and 3 seperate people bid over £900 for it!

Happy turning!

[craggle]

If you spend a bit of time cleaning and painting they can look pretty good. Okay, I actually stripped this down to every last nut and bolt and re-painted it all as I put it back together but the results are worth the effort.
See if you can guess which pictures are before and after...

Bought for £200 with lots of tools, 3 jaw and 4 jaw chucks, gears Etc. Probably worth around £1000 now.

Craig.

[aaronjb]

Craig, do you fancy coming and doing mine?

[Lloyd Barnes]

Bought for £200 with lots of tools, 3 jaw and 4 jaw chucks, gears Etc. Probably worth around £1000 now.

Craig.

Belting job that Craig, if the Colchester turns out half as good I'll be delighted. Easily worth a grand now, if not quite a bit more. Where did you get it? £200 is a cracking price!

[craggle]

A very lucky find by a friend talking to someone in the pub.

One of those conversations, I've got an old machine, Name starts with an M, never used it, need it out the way, £200 should do it if you can move it. I popped round and bit his hand off when I saw it, trying to stay cool and saying, yeah, £200 is enough but not worth any more, I'll be back in 5 minutes with a trailer before you change your mind.....

Craig.

[nealgs]

if you have the space - then a colchester or similar would be better. If not then go for one of the Myford ML7 range - these are still being produced and spares are readily available from Myford/RDG Tools in West yorkshire ( i called into them a few weeks back, wow is the only description i could come up with - lol )

Worth giving them a call as they are getting ML7s in quite often which they refurb and sell on (probably a dear way of buying one, but at least you now it should be right/have some comeback)

I've got a couple of Myford/Drummond M-Types that i'm currently restoring/repairing size wise ideal for what i need and will allow me to learn to use one (have already made a replacement indicate stalk piece for the cob )

Gary

[Roy L]

Gary - i had looked on Myfords site and although you do know what you're getting, the premium seemed a little disproportionate to the benefit considering i'm looking forward to breathe new life into a tired and neglected machine.

Craig - that is seriously impressive!! You have truly inspired me. I think i'm going to start hanging around your pub also!