I posted this in the wrong forum so if the administrator wishes he can pull it or from the beginner forum or here. I do think there is a remedy just need to grouse a bit I guess.
I watched a video online and saw how to check for play in the spindle of my SB 9C lathe. I put a bar in the chuck end and got over 4 thou of movement. I put a wrench on the the single bolt on the chuck side to remove it and pull the shims as instructed. The bolt was not very tight so I first torqued it down snugly and checked it again and the play closed to 2 thou but the spindle had a little resistance when turned by hand. I backed it off a tad and it spins by hand. But not free wheeling. I moved to the tail which runs a lot of oil and I found that bolt as not snugged down hard. I took a reading of over 4 thou and snugged it down and it binds on a high spot like the shaft is egg shaped backed it off and it spins free. I have ordered a needle bearing and two hard washers as recommended to replace the fiber bearing. This should cut down on the oil leaking.
I know it is more than likely the headstock opening that is egg shaped and not the spindle but the fact remains it only binds on a small area as the spindle is turned by hand. So I backed off both front and back bolts till the spindle spins freely with a bit of overtravel when spun by home. When the needle bearing comes in it may hopefully remedy the oil leakage. I do not work in high tolerances (yet) so it is what it is. I guess the adjustment arrangement where you can only adjust one side of the bearing "CAP" of necessity would create an oval rather than a circle but I would think if it would bind it would bind over the entire radial range not just a 10 to 15 degree point. discouraged and a bit confused. JB
I watched a video online and saw how to check for play in the spindle of my SB 9C lathe. I put a bar in the chuck end and got over 4 thou of movement. I put a wrench on the the single bolt on the chuck side to remove it and pull the shims as instructed. The bolt was not very tight so I first torqued it down snugly and checked it again and the play closed to 2 thou but the spindle had a little resistance when turned by hand. I backed it off a tad and it spins by hand. But not free wheeling. I moved to the tail which runs a lot of oil and I found that bolt as not snugged down hard. I took a reading of over 4 thou and snugged it down and it binds on a high spot like the shaft is egg shaped backed it off and it spins free. I have ordered a needle bearing and two hard washers as recommended to replace the fiber bearing. This should cut down on the oil leaking.
I know it is more than likely the headstock opening that is egg shaped and not the spindle but the fact remains it only binds on a small area as the spindle is turned by hand. So I backed off both front and back bolts till the spindle spins freely with a bit of overtravel when spun by home. When the needle bearing comes in it may hopefully remedy the oil leakage. I do not work in high tolerances (yet) so it is what it is. I guess the adjustment arrangement where you can only adjust one side of the bearing "CAP" of necessity would create an oval rather than a circle but I would think if it would bind it would bind over the entire radial range not just a 10 to 15 degree point. discouraged and a bit confused. JB