Myford Mystro

[Paul hd]

Hi all.
I was wondering if anyone here has a mk2 of the myford. ? I would be interested in seeing a few pics of the upgraded tool rest from below.
I have the original and it really is a pain to move when loosened off. I have read that myford released an upgrade kit and I would like to see what that consisted of.

Regards
Paul

 

[dickm]

Mine's red, bought secondhand so don't know which model it is. Can you explain the problem a bit more, then it might tell me whether mine has it?

 

[Paul hd]

Hi Dick.
If you have the original you will have a slot in the tool rest which has a bolt going through it. The later version is closed in.
I would assume you have the later version. If it was like mine you would know exactly the problem.
I just can not move the tool rest smoothly. When the the bolt is loosened and you move the rest assembly, the bolt goes a little crooked and stops the rest moving.

It's no big deal but I would like to see the upgraded version and see how the sorted the problem.

Regards
Paul

 

[dickm]

Sorry, when you said tool rest, I was thinking of the actual piece on which you rest the tool, and couldn't see what they could change on that! I guess you are referring to the fixing for what I'd call the banjo, which takes the stem of the tool rest. If that's the case, then on mine, there is a bolt through the long adjustment slot in the banjo and this bolt passes through a flanged steel "tube". The "tube" bit is a close fit between the bed ways, and when the Bristol handle is tightened up, it holds the flange against the bottom of the bed.
If that's your problem area, let me know and I'll try and get some pics, but because of the way my Mystro is mounted, it's not that accessible for a camera.

 

[Paul hd]

Hi Dick.
Yes, sorry that is correct, it's the banjo.
From your description it looks like mine is without the close fitting tube.
If you can get pics of the assembly that would be great and appreciated.

Here is what mine looks like.

Regards
Paul

 

[dickm]

Here's a pic of the banjo and thingy off my Mystro. As you can see, the thingy is a lot longer/deeper than your's, but basically the same idea.

BUT I noticed while unscrewing the banjo that the corresponding flanged thingy on the tailstock is exactly like the one in your pic. Grandmothers, eggs and all that, but someone hasn't accidentally swapped them over, have they?
I fear you won't have much joy getting one of the longer ones new should it be needed, as the new Myford owners aren't supporting the Mystro at all (and not doing much for the MLs/S7s either)

 

[Paul hd]

Hi.
Thanks for taking the time and putting up the pic. Much appreciated.

My tailstock is like yours with the disc. Same as my banjo.

Looks like I need to get a tube to fit between my rails and hopefully that will improve the movement.
One last question. Is the tube solid with a clearance hole for the bolt or is it just a tube.?

Regards
Paul

 

[dickm]

Hi.

My tailstock is like yours with the disc. Same as my banjo.
Looks like I need to get a tube to fit between my rails and hopefully that will improve the movement.
One last question. Is the tube solid with a clearance hole for the bolt or is it just a tube.?

Interesting. Must have a look at the parts diagram that came with mine, to see which form of "tube" is shown there.
Possibly a better term for it would be a bush; the OD gives a sliding fit between the rails, and the central hole is a running fit to the bolt. If you have a friendly local machine shop, or your own metalworking lathe, it would be a very easy part to produce.
Now a question for you - how accurately does your tailstock locate between the bed rails? On mine, there is definite "slop", so that the point of a centre in the tailstock can move a good couple of mm side to side. Not a major problem, but annoying when drilling. The Hegner, which has a similar build, has sprung balls on either side of the tailstock foot that keep it aligned. Fitting something similar is on my round tuit list, but rather a long way down

 

[Paul hd]

Hi Dick.
That's great. I have a good mate down the road who can sort me out with the bushing.

I will check out my tailstock tomorrow and report back.

 

[Paul hd]

I have about 1mm of play. Considering how old this thing is I'm pretty happy with that. I just have to remember to push the tailstock before tightening up and then it is dead on.

Regards
Paul

 

[dickm]

When you say "push the tailstock", which direction are you thinking?

And can anyone explain where the pic of my banjo etc has gone?? It's still on my machine.

 

[Paul hd]

I suppose I should of said a twist. Imagine putting my hand on top of the tailstock and twist action clockwise. This brings the tail stock in line with the head stock.

 

[dickm]

Interesting. Mine lines up perfectly if the tailstock is exactly parallel to the bed, and halfway between the two bars, which in one way is good, as that is probably how it's meant to be, but it does mean that it's slightly more difficult to get it lined up than it would be if pressing it against one or other bedway was the right position.
Must get around to working out how to fit spring loaded balls a la Hegner, and actually doing it. Idea at the moment is to use four of the smallest sort of spring-loaded brass ball catches, in holes bored each side of the tailstock. Should work in theory, but might make movement of the tailstock too stiff if the springs in the catch are too strong.
Good exercise for the ageing mind!