Myford ML10:
Now out of production the ML10 at 3.25" centre height and 13" (later 18") between centres was Myford's smallest modern lathe. Designed as an economical machine, especially suitable for beginners, the first one left the production line on November 14th, 1968 (though brochures had been received by dealers as early as January of the same year). Whilst a perfectly-adequate small machine tool it did lack several of the refinements to be found on the company's larger lathes: there was no gap in the bed, no tumble reverse, the backgear was carried on a sliding pin and the headstock clamped rather than bolted to the simple, flat-topped, box-section bed casting.
It occupies 35.75" in length (an ML7 was 42") and around 22" in width (almost identical to an ML7). The countershaft/motor-unit on pre September 1985 models was a separate assembly that had to be mounted on the bench, behind the lathe, with an adjustable "over-centre" belt-tensioning device to couple them together. Later machines were fitted to cast-iron raiser blocks, the one at the headstock end being extended rearwards to carry the base of the countershaft - which had the effect of turning the lathe and its drive system into a self-contained unit.
Six spindle speeds were provided, three direct-drive and three backgeared. The ML10, unlike most of its European and Far-eastern competitors, had a proper, robust backgear assembly (the backgear bull wheel on the spindle was identical to that used on the ML7) and, so equipped, a very powerful drive was available with 6 speeds down to as low as 25 r.p.m. that enabled it to cope with large diameter jobs. In addition, instead of miniature (and expensive) "Gates" belts Myford chose to use reliable, full-sized, inexpensive and easily-obtained V belts.
ML10 Headstock:
On early and late machines the headstock was different. The first model, with six speeds and a maximum of around 840 rpm, had a hardened spindle that ran directly in split bearings formed as part of the headstock casting. This combination of hardened steel running in cast iron (partially self-lubricating due to the free graphite found in the latter) is excellent from the wear point of view - and I have yet to find any ML10 with the headstock bearings in poor condition. You may be quite confident that this design principle is correct - tens of thousands of American South Bend (and other makes) have been constructed in this way - and are still going strong. The bearings on the ML10 were split on one side only and provided with a clamping screw; the space between each split was filled with a thick shim to provide a firm surface onto which the top cap could be pulled down. If the headstock bearings appear to be in correct adjustment it is important not to fiddle with them; simply ensure that they receive regular lubrication - and under no circumstances remove the shims. It is possible to vary the speed range of an ML10 by changing the size of the electric-motor pulley, but do bear in mind that the maximum recommended speed of a plain-bearing ML10 is 1280 rpm. Later machines, produced from January 18th, 1978, (from machine V137261) were fitted with roller-bearing headstocks that, although provided by the factory with the same speed range as the earlier machine, can easily and safely be adapted by their owners to run as fast as the later "Speed 10" version (see below for details).
ML10 Changewheels, Screwcutting and Metric Conversions:
Originally supplied in both full metric and imperial versions the latter is by far the most commonly available second-hand. To convert an imperial machine to metric screwcutting required only two 21t changewheels in addition to the normal set - whilst to convert the rest of the lathe to a metric specification needed only the substitution of the inch-calibrated cross and top-slide feed screws, nuts and micrometer dials with their metric equivalents. The lack of a tumble reverse meant that a reversing stud was necessary to cut left-hand threads; the changewheels and their mounting studs, fastened to a simple, single-slot banjo, were identical to those on the ML7.  The leadscrew pitch was the same as the 7 Series lathes (8 threads per inch) and was available fitted with an optional and very useful dog-clutch, that allowed the leadscrew drive to be instantly engaged and disengaged..
ML10 Compound Slide, Apron and Saddle Assembly:
Although the cross slide was a little smaller than that on an ML7, the micrometer dial, hand-wheel and standard toolpost were identical. The T slots were spaced the same distance apart, which allowed a standard ML7/Super 7 vertical milling slides to be used, but the 4-way toolpost and rear toolpost were unique to the machine. The apron hand-wheel was geared directly to the leadscrew and incorporated a thread-dial indicator. Because the direct gearing caused the saddle travel to be rather "high-geared" (i.e. you turned the handle a little, and the saddle moved a lot) the leadscrew was provided, as standard, with an un-graduated handle at its right hand end; used with the clasp nuts engaged this was able to provide a much smoother and steadier saddle movement. From machine number V167714M, on the 27th of March 1993, the previously optional-extra 'long cross slide' was fitted as standard.
Speed 10:
On the 4th of May 1979 a modified "two-speed" countershaft unit was introduced that carried an eccentrically-mounted top shaft, with a double-step V-belt pulley drive from the motor; this doubled the number of speeds to 12 (of which 10 were officially sanctioned as safe to use) with a range from 48 to 2000 r.p.m. This new model,  the "Speed 10", was identified by the prefix "VS" and the first down the production line carried the Serial Number VS143202M. Just one month later, on the 6th of June, the first Long-bed Speed 10 was manufactured (numbered VSL144264); with its 18-inch capacity between centres this model was introduced in an attempt to bridge the gap between the ML7 and ML10.
A useful little machine, the ML10 was perfectly capable of tacking most jobs that the model or development engineer would wish to attempt, the only drawbacks being the simplicity of its construction - and basic controls. A friend, who is a full-time experimental and development engineer, bought one in his impecunious days and held on to it for twenty-two years, finding it indispensable for all his small turning. The last incarnation of the ML10/Speed 10 was the "Diamond 10", introduced on November 27th, 1993 and only sold directly from the factory. A comparatively rare machine on the used market, the10 sold in fewer numbers than the larger models - although, to be fair, the latter did have a twenty-two year start
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Copyright: Tony Griffiths