Myford ML8 queries

[Rob Carter]

Hi, I am restoring an old ML8 which was given to me by a friend as a box of parts. It looks like there is one critical part missing called the clamp head. Its the kind of turret nut type thing that clamps down onto the cross slide when the saddle is clamped in place on the bed. I have a machinist friend who can turn one up for me but I need the overall height of the item. Could someone with an ML8 kindly take a pair of calipers and measure this for me? I have a short version of the clamp head which came with the circular saw attachment so I have all the other dimensions from this, I just need the overall height. Sadly the saw clamp head is too short to use with the normal woodturning saddle and slide. For avoidance of doubt the clamp head is the bit highlighted yellow:

Also, does anyone know a paint name or code that is a good match for the ML8 cream colour? Most of the paintwork is OK-ish but there are some parts that could do with tidying up.

Many thanks in advance for your help.

Robin

 

[Phil Pascoe]

You'll be lucky to replace it easily, they have a very quick thread. Give the male thread to your friend to look at before you go any further. You could watch ebay, they get broken and sold for parts quite regularly.

 

[Rob Carter]

You'll be lucky to replace it easily, they have a very quick thread. Give the male thread to your friend to look at before you go any further. You could watch ebay, they get broken and sold for parts quite regularly.

Thanks, but the thread in the clamp head looks like a standard BSW thread to me. Its the thread in the quick nut on the bottom that is unusual.

 

[Against_The_Grain]

Thanks, but the thread in the clamp head looks like a standard BSW thread to me. Its the thread in the quick nut on the bottom that is unusual.

It's not, it's about as nonstandard as you can get as it's a triple start thread, 6.5tpi overlapped to give 20tpi on a thread gauge. It would take a very skilled engineer to make the female thread as you'd likely have to make a tap to suit.

 

[JEC]

For paint try Paragon, Myford Lathe Rich Cream, I haven't matched the yellow but they Myford grey and greens are a very good match to the originals.

 

[johnwalls26]

There is a Myford facebook group.

 

[Against_The_Grain]

Actually thinking about it, I’m wrong sorry. I remember now that there is a double-ended stud between that part and the clamping handle inside the cast shoe that draws down the clamp head, the clamp head itself is presumably a standard Whitworth thread as you say.

If I remember later I’ll have a rummage around as I definitely have one of these clamp heads somewhere.

 

[XTiffy]

Rob Carter, I have just measured the component on my ML8 and it is 35mm overall.
As for paint I have in the past taken a part to a paint specialist (Brewers/Dulux etc) where they have a machine that scans the colour and will mix it for you.

 

[Rob Carter]

Rob Carter, I have just measured the component on my ML8 and it is 35mm overall.
As for paint I have in the past taken a part to a paint specialist (Brewers/Dulux etc) where they have a machine that scans the colour and will mix it for you.

Thank you very much for the measurement. That's really helpful. I was thinking maybe to get the paint colour matched but most places only do big tins so it would be expensive for the quantity of paint needed. I'll take a look at Brewers though. Thanks again.

 

[Rob Carter]

For paint try Paragon, Myford Lathe Rich Cream, I haven't matched the yellow but they Myford grey and greens are a very good match to the originals.

Thank youI will take a look.

 

[Jameshow]

Thank you very much for the measurement. That's really helpful. I was thinking maybe to get the paint colour matched but most places only do big tins so it would be expensive for the quantity of paint needed. I'll take a look at Brewers though. Thanks again.

Take a part to a car paint specialist who will have a scanner thingy and ask for enamel paint for vintage trucks which they will do in 500ml pots

 

[frogesque]

Re paint colour, if you take a sample part to an automotive paint supplier they will colour match it for you and mix up a spray tin.

Edit: OK, see Jameshow has already suggested automotor paint!