Description
Myford ML7 Lathe Compound Slide & Tool Holder
A genuine Myford ML7 compound slide assembly — top slide, base, and old-style tool holder included — ready to drop straight onto your ML7 and get back to cutting metal. This is the classic British-made compound rest that’s been keeping Myford lathes in toolrooms, home shops, and apprentice bays for decades. Recently rebuilt and roughly adjusted, with backlash measured at under 0.010″ (10 thou), this unit represents solid working-tool value for anyone running or restoring an ML7.
- Integral top slide and base assembly — The compound slide rotates on the cross-slide base to allow angular turning, taper work, and facing at compound angles. Having both components together means you’re getting a matched, fitted assembly rather than trying to source and align two separate pieces.
- Backlash under 0.010″ (10 thou) after rebuild — Backlash on a compound slide directly affects your ability to sneak up on a dimension. Sub-10-thou backlash on a rebuilt used unit is entirely workable for general turning; experienced operators simply compensate with consistent directional approach cuts.
- Old-style Myford tool holder included — The original Myford lantern-style tool post is period-correct and fully functional for standard HSS tooling. It accepts standard tool bits and is the correct fitment for ML7 of this era — no adapters or riser blocks required for typical tooling setups.
- Compatibility — Designed specifically for the Myford ML7 lathe. Verify fitment against your specific ML7 variant (early vs. late bed, Super 7 cross-slide is a different unit). Not confirmed to fit ML4, ML10, or Super 7 without further verification.
- Ideal for — Taper turning between centres, chamfering, facing to a shoulder, threading approach cuts, parting setup, and restoring or upgrading an ML7 with a worn or missing compound slide assembly.
Condition
Used (Good Condition / Rebuilt & Adjusted)
The compound slide has been rebuilt and roughly adjusted prior to listing. Backlash has been measured and confirmed at under 0.010″ (10 thou), which is the key functional metric on any compound slide — and this one passes. The sliding surfaces and dovetail ways show the expected patina and wear marks consistent with a used ML7 component; this is a working tool, not a showroom piece. The grey paint coat visible on the body is consistent with a shop repaint during the rebuild process. The cross-section handles (the distinctive Myford-style wing brackets either side of the base) are present and intact. The lead screw nut and gib adjustment appear to be in serviceable order given the reported backlash figure. The old-style tool holder is included and functional.
Honest disclosures: Surface cosmetics are used-tool standard — expect minor nicks, paint wear, and machined surface patina. The rebuild is described as “roughly adjusted,” meaning final gib and backlash tuning to your personal preference will be required once fitted to your machine. Buyers should verify flatness of the base mating surface against their cross-slide and confirm smooth, even travel across the full stroke before committing to precision work. A quick check against a known parallel and a dial indicator after fitting will confirm whether any additional scraping or shimming is needed.
The sub-10-thou backlash figure means this unit is ready for productive turning work as-is, with normal operator technique for directional compensation. It is not a limiting factor for the vast majority of ML7 applications.
Included:
- 1 x Myford ML7 Compound Slide Assembly (top slide and base)
- 1 x Old-style Myford lantern tool holder
Not included: Mounting hardware/bolts for cross-slide installation, tool post clamp bolt/nut (verify against your machine), cutting tools, T-nuts. No case or original packaging.
Brand Information
Myford is a British machine tool manufacturer with roots going back to the 1930s, producing the ML series lathes that became the definitive toolroom and training lathe across the UK, Australia, and the Commonwealth for most of the 20th century. The ML7 in particular earned a reputation for precision, rigidity, and repairability that keeps a dedicated global user base running these machines well into the modern era. Myford occupies the same respected tier as Boxford and Harrison in the British toolroom lathe market — not a budget brand, but a precision manufacturer whose parts and castings were built to last generations with proper maintenance.
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brand | Myford |
| Model Compatibility | Myford ML7 Lathe |
| Type | Compound Slide (Top Slide & Base Assembly) |
| Tool Holder Style | Old-style Myford lantern tool post (included) |
| Backlash (as adjusted) | Under 0.010″ (10 thou) |
| Slide Travel | Refer to standard ML7 specification (~2.5″ / 63mm — verify against your machine) |
| Angular Adjustment | 360° base rotation for compound angle setting |
| Construction / Material | Cast iron body, hardened and ground dovetail ways (ML7 standard) |
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
| Condition | Used (Good Condition / Rebuilt & Adjusted) |
| Included Items | Compound slide assembly (top slide + base), old-style lantern tool holder |
| Not Included | Mounting hardware, cutting tools, T-nuts, case or packaging |
Keywords
Myford ML7 compound slide, Myford ML7 top slide, Myford lathe parts Australia, ML7 compound rest, Myford tool holder, lathe compound slide assembly, ML7 restoration parts, Myford ML7 lathe toolroom, British lathe parts, ML7 top slide rebuild, lathe taper turning attachment, second hand Myford parts
