With all the upgrades on my South Bend 9 lathe I am really happy with it. The first upgrade was to change the feed direction lever to one from a 10K lathe. The spring loaded pull lever is much easier than loosening and tightening the lever bolt.
The second upgrade was changing the compound and cross slide to the large dials. This makes using the lathe so much nicer.
Now I am upgrading the tailstock. I will be adding a large dial like on the cross slide. This will require making a new tailstock lead screw, a new nut for the rear of the tailstock casting, and a graduated dial. I will also be adding thrust needle bearings on both sides of the nut.
These two photos show the new nut with bearing pockets cut on each side.
Next will be to make the graduated dial.
The second upgrade was changing the compound and cross slide to the large dials. This makes using the lathe so much nicer.
Now I am upgrading the tailstock. I will be adding a large dial like on the cross slide. This will require making a new tailstock lead screw, a new nut for the rear of the tailstock casting, and a graduated dial. I will also be adding thrust needle bearings on both sides of the nut.
These two photos show the new nut with bearing pockets cut on each side.
Next will be to make the graduated dial.