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Titan

Now there's a turn up!!

I have a very old Myford Lathe, which although in working order (just) requires a bit of TLC to make good.

So I was considering my options - basically do I sell it and put the money towards another lathe in good condition, or spend time and money restoring it to good order?

As I was leaning towards option 1 I thought that I would see what price similar myfords were getting on e-bay so I had a rough idea of value. Trouble was, amongst the hundereds of ML7's and ML10's etc, I could not find one like mine!

So I had a google and found out why!!

The Lathe I have is one of the very rare MF 4 inch prescision Lathes, of which only 500 were made during 1942.

Not only that, but it is one of the even rarer early versions!!

There is an article and pictures of one here - the only difference is that mine is V belt drive not flat (some were V belt from new anyway)

http://www.lathes.co.uk/myford%20mf74/

http://www.lathes.co.uk/myford%20mf74/page5.html

And particularly after reading this bit in the article:

Quote:
Because the 4-inch Precision is a relatively rare lathe, and very-heavily built, this is one early Myford that is well-worth the expense of rebuilding and subsequent cherishing.


I think I will now choose option B !!

I do now wonder how much it is worth, particularly as I have all of the accesories to go with it, even including a milling attachment!
Mamodman123

No idea what its worth but its work restoring and using thats for sure!
tmuir

I knew someone that collected cameras and when he got a rare find and wanted to find out what it was worth he listed it on ebay with a reserve of $15000 and a $1 start price. That way he could find out what the market thought it was worth and if it went over $15000 and sold then who would care! You just made $15000.
IndianaRog

Tony, that is a brilliant approach for sorting out what the market will pay without risk of something selling too cheaply. Thanks for that, might come in handy
Mamodman123

IndianaRog wrote:
Tony, that is a brilliant approach for sorting out what the market will pay without risk of something selling too cheaply. Thanks for that, might come in handy


When i die i'll tell whoever inherits me SE4 to do that
Titan

IndianaRog wrote:
Tony, that is a brilliant approach for sorting out what the market will pay without risk of something selling too cheaply. Thanks for that, might come in handy


Be careful, it could be an expensive way to find out - it costs to put a reserve price on an auction - the higher the reserve the more the cost, and you will get charged irrespective of if your item sells.

I think the cost is 5% (I put a £900 reserve on a minidigger I was selling and that cost me £45)

So setting a reserve of $15000 would cost you $750...
Titan

But back on topic, I have a few odd jobs lined up to do on the lathe, and I could be tempted to have a go at making some of the Mamod upgrades to sell - eg water filler valve, since they are pretty quick and straightforward to make - or even whistles for that matter!!
Mamodman123

Titan wrote:
But back on topic, I have a few odd jobs lined up to do on the lathe, and I could be tempted to have a go at making some of the Mamod upgrades to sell - eg water filler valve, since they are pretty quick and straightforward to make - or even whistles for that matter!!


Easy to make? you must be better with a lathe than i am

Sounds good though Titan
IndianaRog

Titan,

Thanks for the caution on setting high eBay reserves just to feel out the market...having not done it I didn't realize they gore you in such a way. I guess eBay are no fools!!!

cheers,
Rog
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