Myford ML8 Universal Machine

[kmcsmart]

I hope the turning section of the forum is the correct place to post this question. I just bought a nice old cream coloured Myford ML8 short bed with a bandsaw, planer, sanding disk and table saw. The machine is missing the lower wheel on the bandsaw. Otherwise the rest of the machine is in great shape. I live in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada so there aren't that many ML8s around.

Is there anyone out there with a ML8 bandsaw who can give me some specifications for the lower wheel? I thought I might find another wheel about the same size and have a machinist friend modify it to fit the ML8. If someone has any other suggestion for me fire away.
I have been watching eBay UK for the last couple of months but no luck finding parts there. I tried some of the suppliers who advertize that they have Myford parts but still no luck.

It is one sweet machine and very well made. I am impressed.
Thanks
Karen

 

[Normancb]

The ML8 is a very nice machine and very reliable as long as you keep the spindle bearings well lubricated. I bought mine (just the lathe) in 1976 and it's still in regular use. The lathe was the backbone of many professional turners' workshops for a long time.

It was designed at a time when machinery was very expensive for the home user so having a single motor driving lots of attachments made sense - its main competitor was Coronet who also made lathes to which you could attach saws, planer etc.

Whilst versatile, they were limited - you have to heave big lumps of stuff on and off to change from bandsaw to planer etc. I believe they stopped making all the accessories long before the lathe went out of production.

I don't think they ever sold many of the bandsaw attachments so they are quite rare beasts. It's just possible Tony Griffiths (lathes.co.uk) might have some information - otherwise you'll have to improvise. Obviously the wheels have to be the same diameter so that the blade runs straight. The drive from the headstock spindle will have a left hand thread.

It may not be worth resurrecting - the throat depth is about 25 cm and the depth of cut is only about 9 cm. Free standing bandsaws with much better specification are available so cheaply nowadays.

Enjoy it.

 

[kmcsmart]

Thanks for the info. I have 3 band saws in my shop (24", 14" and 10") and the Myford will replace the 10" Delta. I bought it for the band saw so I don't plan on using the other parts but they will be fun to have for show. Most of my machinery is vintage so the Myford is a nice fit.

I guess the only measurement that I need is the depth of the lower wheel hub. I put the disk sander part on the bandsaw in place of the wheel and it rubbed against the body of the saw so there is a long hub on the lower wheel. It would be nice to see some close up pictures of that.
Karen