I'm a complete beginner looking to purchase a lathe. Mostly interested in bowls, vases, vessels, etc, but will experiment with other things. To learn on, I was planning on buying a Jet Mini VS. But a friend of a friend recently said that he'd sell me his ML8. It is in good condition and comes with several face plates. My first question is, is one of the two lathes better than the other for a beginner (or just better in general)? And the second is, if you wanted an ML8, what would you pay for it? Searching the internet shows them selling for anywhere from $150 to $1,800!
What little experience I have with the Myford (and that experience is limited to drooling over it several times at Frog Tool Co in Chicago
Mini, albeit not a VS).
With what little turning experience I had at the time, I thought the ML8 was a pretty high end lathe. It has a "full length" (that is something on the order of 36" or so between centers) bed and a swing of >12"--that is, pretty much a standard size spindle lathe. I don't remember the spindle size, either diameter/tpi or taper, but in any event, I don't believe it was anything outrageously inconvenient.
Remember, this was in the days before Oneway, Stubby, Vega, Nova, VicMark (maybe), Jet, etc. Frankly, at that point in my life I had never seen a Delta or Powermatic tool of any kind, let alone one of their lathes. So if I held it to a high standard, it was solely in comparison to a Craftsman tube lathe.
The Jet, on the other hand, is a mini lathe with the attendant compromises in both bed and swing, which is principally why I say they are not in the same class. Having said that, there is nothing wrong with the quality or capabilities of the Jet, keeping in mind its capacity. And, since my experience with the Myford wasn't even hands on, I don't know how much my view of it is suspect. I did have the distinct impression that it was quite robust.
In my opinion, were the choice available to me today that you're facing, I'd jump on the ML8 if the price is anywhere near right. For comparison, I recall that in the late '70s the ML8 sold (at Frog, not exactly a discount house) in the $900-1000 range--more with accessories. That suggests it was right up where the Powermatic that everyone loves (can't remember which model--35 something?) is today, i.e. something under $3000. That puts your $1800 used price in the right ballpark. A buck fifty would be stealing.
I hope someone with real Myford experience will weigh in here to either confirm my impression or to tell me I'm full of shit--equally valid possibilities.
Hi me, My experience and take is the same as LRod's. Myford MLs were the standard of the world in hobby or small production lathes, both wood and metal, during the craft's revival begun in the late 70''s. Most of us lusted after a Myford, but didn't own one. We drooled over their pictures in all the early books beginning with Frank Pain's. I suspect any machine made by Myford would be on the leading edge in its time and of high quality anytime. I would not pay a premium for one now because although you can do much more with the Myford than with the Jet, if you progress to large face turnings you probably would want to exchange it for one of the state of the art lathes that LRod mentioned. Whereas you would likely keep the dandy little Jet mini. I will probably get some flack from turners who love their old Deltas and other 'big iron' spindle lathes, but I doubt they would pay a premium for one today and parts aren't cheap if available.
In summary then, start out with the Jet unless the myford is a bargain you can't refuse.
Arch and LRod - Thanks for the replies. He isn't asking much for the ML8, so if it's worth as much as you say, I guess I'd be crazy not to go with that one. Also, it will be nice to have a machine that so many people drooled over. Hopefully the parts will hold up.
Arch and LRod - Thanks for the replies. He isn't asking much for the ML8, so if it's worth as much as you say, I guess I'd be crazy not to go with that one. Also, it will be nice to have a machine that so many people drooled over. Hopefully the parts will hold up.
has/had a ML8when he made his first video tape "Turning Projects from Scrap". He made some modifications to it that he shows and describes at the beginning of the video. He seems to be satisfied with the machine. Watch the video, you can see the machine in use. I think the machine uses #1 morse tapers and now I am not sure about the threads; 3/4 x 16 or 3/4 x 12 or 7/8 x ?. I would agree that the ML8 and a Jet mini are apples and oranges. I would probably go for the ML8. Edward
I just "Googled" "Myford ML8 Lathe" and came up with lots of info including an exploded parts drawing. The spindle thread is 1" x 12 tpi. I have always found Robert Rosand to be a very friendly guy and is willing to help out a new turner, e-mail him for his opinion. I am sure he will give you an honest answer. Ed
Hey Mac, I guess me could check the ML8 for mine & LRod's DNA. Turner's dool is special and is widely used to prevent wallet rust. Won't rust turning gear when rubbed on with checks or paper money.
Seriously me. I don't know your situation, but don't forget that a lathe is usually less than half the cost of a beginning turner's needs and it soon becomes much less as the needs/wants ratio falls.
I never thought to ask everyone on the site to "PLEASE keep your eyes peeled for me!" Years ago when I was newer to turning than I am now, I special ordered a Myford ML8 headstock from Buzz at the old Woodstock store in Woburn MA (before they becs,me a chain) along with the motor mounts, rests etc. I was going to use it to dedicate to the production turning of some very small parts that I needed at the time. I still have the headstock. It has never been connected to a motor or set up and I would love to find a tailstock. The bed tubing and tool holder would be nice but I figured that I could always get a short one turned from a piece of solid round barstock and modify a tool rest.
I have searched from time to time on eBay for something but found nothing to date. So I ask for your help with ideas on how I could turn my Myford ML8 complete headstock in to a full working lathe!
Many thanks.
JimC
PS Where should posting be directed? I sent the above twice to snipped-for-privacy@googlegroups.com and each time it bounced back?
Instead of digging the moneypit deeper, you might be better off selling it on Ebay, and use the not spend money plus the receipt of the sale to buy a mini/midi.
Great. He sells it on ebay, and then about five years from now someone comes here and posts about how he got this great deal on an ML8 head stock but can't find any other parts and what should he do.
In 5 years you say, well by then we'll have another turner to reply what he did, and the chain will stay unbroken ;--)) We have to keep this thing going you know.
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