Myford Super 7 Connoisseur Review Part 1 of 2

[@MrWaynetolson]

I have the Nottingham version, Myford gearboxes require oil they had hardened gears since the 50s, also has the cross slide been scraped in. I also notice there’s no rpm display which the Nottingham ones have. I can see other differences, as you say non of the Nottingham fitters transferred, I can’t believe live they said oil was not required in the gearbox. It makes me wonder what other things are affected. As you mention tool holders I have both genuine Nottingham and Dixon posts and tool holders, they work perfectly. I have one Meltham holder, it’s not fully hardened and the part where the tool fits is mild to different dimensions. I did by some RDG ones and they did not clamp properly I took them back and ended up with a refund.

[@opticalmechanic]

Maybe I should have bought an original Nottingham machine... slowly I’m improving mine and ironing out issues as I find them. As you say, it’s ridiculous that they gave it me with a dry gearbox. I might venture to scrape the cross slide at some point in the future. I had a new saddle fitted to it because one of the threads holding the nut housing for the cross slide was non existent. There’s no way I could have stripped it with a slotted screw head / screwdriver so it must have left the factory with barely one thread engaged. If they didn’t know about it then they should have and if they did, then it shouldn’t have been shipped like that. Needless to say, I brought it to their attention and they sorted it out. Considering what I paid for the machine, it shouldn’t have happened. The new cross slide and saddle assembly isn’t as smooth as the original so I’ve got some work to do to improve it. I shouldn’t have to but I will as it’s easier than sending the machine away again. Regarding tool holders and posts, the multifix I have is working really well. The solid tool post mount is too but I’ll have to reduce the height of it a bit more as some of my Pewe Tools tool holders are key on the bottom so I can’t quite get centre height with a couple of tools. I’ve got a size Aa tool post which hopefully I will be releasing part 2 of my installation video about this weekend. That smaller toolpost will be fitted to the compound slide for taper turning and thread cutting when I want to use that method and it will save me faffing about changing the tool post over and resetting tool heights.

[@fuzzfacelogic789]

@@opticalmechanic I think it would be a common practice to transport machines without oil. I have a Super 7 built in the mid '70's and yes I put oil in the gearbox.

[@garysmith9772]

I purchased a Myford super seven lathe with many accessories but cannot figure out what this one riser block is used for. Has a Tee slot, an offset, 3” high. If I could send you some pictures it would help thanks Gary

[@opticalmechanic]

Feel free to send a picture over if you like. It sounds like it’s for a parting blade. Normally they are located on the cross slide at the rear and you would run the spindle in reverse with the tool upside down. You do t have to use it as you could mount a parting off blade in a normal tool holder of course.

[@FirstnameLastname-uh4rk]

‘...the gearbox has hardened gears and doesn’t need oil’, they said. Yikes! Not sure about that one. I’d definitely be putting some oil in.

[@opticalmechanic]

Ha ha yeah I know. It’s got plenty of oil in it.

[@Steviegtr52]

Hello there. I have the super7B . Which i have done quite a few mods to. One being the toolpost. I ground i think 4mm from the compound bed surface so the 250-111 toolpost sits lower. This allows cutters up to 13mm now. If you have time look at some of my youtube video's & i show how i did it. Great machine.

[@opticalmechanic]

Cool I’ll have a look.

[@woodykeith]

Interesting video but please use a tripod for the camera. I am feeling seasick with all the swaying around.

[@opticalmechanic]

One of my earlier videos. Sorry about that.

[@millomweb]

As an optical mechanic, you must be deaf ! Can you run the audio through software to 'normalize' the sound level and re-upload ? It's exceedingly quiet !

[@Bob_Adkins]

Can't hear a word.

[@steved8038]

Considering how expensive these machines are I would been straight on the phone to complains of the poor quality of build.my so called crap built Chinese machine has been from new of superb quality and finish

[@opticalmechanic]

Yes, I was straight on the phone when I found a screw thread that was completely stripped which was holding the cross slide housing on. They came and collected it and replaced the whole carriage assembly. Regarding the price, I know what you mean. I don’t think they are manufactured in the volumes that they used to be when they were produced in Nottingham. That impacts the costs of the various castings and machined parts when they are not produced in more economical quantities, hence the price.

[@steved8038]

@@opticalmechanic hope all goes well in the future good luck !

[@opticalmechanic]

@@steved8038 thank you Sir!

[@Jacob-64]

Surley there are better built machines out there than this Myford . 7K for a hobby lathe is too much in my book

[@opticalmechanic]

@@Jacob-64 possibly. I was considering a Hardinge but they are hard to find in good condition. My Myford is now much better than when I got it but it’s still no Hardinge.

[@mjk8710]

Sound very poor 👋🏻👋🏻