Myford retrofit?

[Robert Lewis]

Hi I'm newbie here.
I wondered if any of you guys had any knowledge/experience of the British 'Myford Lathe.'
I am just building a workshop ready for retirement and want to go CNC (I used to teach it in a former life!)
I am about to purchase a secondhand 3 axis CNC kneemill with a manual option and wanted a small CNC lathe also. Unable to find one suitable, I then decided to have a go at retrofitting a Myford for my first project.
Can anyone help please? If you think its an OK idea, where do you suggest I look for bits?
Thanks
Bob

[pstockley]

Which myford (ML10, ML7 or Super 7). I remember there was a company that retrofitted ML10's with steppers for training use. There was a guy on the web who had pictures of one on his website. Can't remember the name of the site.

Conversion will be similar to any other small lathe. The tricky bit is hooking up a ballscrew on the X axis. There usually isn't much room.

[Robert Lewis]

Hi and thanks for getting back. It's a Super 7 by the way. When you retro a lathe like this do you leave the headstock alone with all its gearing etc or is it possible to fit a motor/servo straight on to the spindle?
If you knew a company that supplied any of the bits I would appreciate a name.
Thanks again - Bob

[pstockley]

Sorry can't really help on who to get parts from.

Regarding the headstock, most people either just run the standard gearing and the standard motor or fit a 3phase motor and VFD if you want computer controlled speed (good for constant surface speed). Usually people also fit a spindle speed/position sensor to measure speed and allow automated screwcutting.

I don't think I would bother with a servo spindle drive on a small lathe like the myford.

I have a super 7 but I am currently retrofitting a Hardinge TFB lathe with CNC. I guess the big question is how much do you want to spend and what level of performance are you looking for?

[Robert Lewis]

Most appreciated -thanks
Bob