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Myford M-Type Lathe Countershafts
Literature for Drummond lathes, gear shapers
and other machine tools is available

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A set of photographs showing details of both the bench-mounted unoit and the the very heavy, rear-mounted countershafts fitted, with some modifications and differences, to Myford/Drummond M-Type lathes from 1942 until approximately 1951. Both flat and V-belts were used from the countershaft to headstock spindle (though the latter) are by far the most common) but all drives from motor to countershaft were by an A-section V-belt.




Both substantially built and neatly designed, the bench-mounted Myford M-type countershaft is a most effect assembly

Stand-mounted countershaft
This countershaft was enormously long and heavy and pivoted from a triangular plate bolted to the rear of the leg at the headstock-end of the lathe.
A substantial cast-iron over-centre tensioning arm, with a right and left-hand threaded adjuster to allow the belt tension to be precisely set. The bearings were plain but held within ingeniously-designed housings where the points of two opposing and adjustable screws pressed into countersinks on either side of each bearing and both held them and allowed a degree of elf-alignment. This type of countershaft assembly  was also used (from 1935) on the American Atlas 10-inch lathe (though with Hyatt roller bearings) and later on the Australian-built Hercus copy of the South Bend 9-inch.



The motor plate was supported on an adjustable rod that allowed the motor-to-countershaft belt tension to be set. Some lathes had their motor mounted underneath the plate and the adjuster arm connected to a lug on the countershaft itself.

A view with the tensioning arm removed.


Both the two-step countershaft pulley and 3-step headstock-drive pulley were in cast iron the extra inertia of which helped to smooth out the drive from the commonly-fitted single-phase motor.

Spindle-speed chart riveted to the inside face of the countershaft.
Some lathes carried a second plate listing the speeds available with the alternative 950 rpm motor.


Literature for Drummond lathes, gear shapers
and other machine tools is available

Drummond Home Page

Myford M-Type Lathe Countershafts
email: tony@lathes.co.uk
Home   Machine Tool Archive   Machine-tools for Sale & Wanted
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