Myford ml 8 bed removal

[Molechaser]

Have an old ml 8 want to change drive belt have removed spindle do I need to remove bed from headstock to fit new belt ? If so how to remove ? Knock it out ?advice very welcome thank you

 

[parvum]

Hi If you want to use a continuous belt, you will have to get the headstock off the bed, at least far enough to pass the belt through. There is a 3/8 whit grub screw at six o'clock in the headstock, only accessible from below, which secures the bed, make sure this is out before even thinking about removing the bed! This often a pig of a job,steel and aluminium are not good for easy assembly/disassembly and any burrs will make it more difficult to remove or refit the headstock in the correct orientation.. Easiest is to cut the old belt and use a link belt, although you have already removed the spindle, link belts have other advantages for lathes,such as vibration damping and in the future you avoid the hazards of disturbing elderly and very pricy bearings.Hope this helps.
regards Paul

 

[Molechaser]

Yes most helpful thank you very much

 

[Normancb]

Definitely +1 for using a link belt. The ML8 had a Brammer link belt as standard when new, so that belt changes don't need you to dismantle the spindle or the headstock. Brammer are still in business and link belting is easily available though made from synthetic material not leather any more.

 

[graduate_owner]

I fitted a link belt made from some synthetic material to my ML8 about 30 years ago and, while it doesn't get a huge amount of use, it has worked fine ever since. I didn't fancy removing the spindle.

K

 

[Molechaser]

Update have successfuly dismantled having found the two grub screws ( thank you paul)have now got to reassemble fingers crossed
Went for belt option purely on cost £6 as apposed to £30-50 for linked came apart fairly easily but could be a bit of a devil if parts seized half the battle is knowing the pitfalls

 

[Phil Pascoe]

You could probably put a spare belt in as well and tape it out of the way. I was going to suggest that as you had the spindle out you used a continuous belt as the link belts are mighty noisy - I suspect a continuous one would be quieter.

 

[Molechaser]

Success all back together and running like a good un patience wd heat block of wood hammer
Reading about it from people who have done it (here) thanks to all