Working on rebuilding this lathe. I checked the headstock bearing by the book. Pulled up on a shaft thru the headstock with 75 lb and measure spindle movement, I got 0.0020" play on the front and 0.0013" on the back. This is pretty close to what is recommended so I figured it was in good shape. Took the bearing caps off. This older lathe has the segmented iron bearings with some significant scoring. I attached a dial indicator to the carriage and see most of the scratches are less than 0.0003" deep, there are 2 narrow bands that are 0.002" deep. There are a couple of corresponding small lumps on the spindle I stoned off after taking the photo.
My thoughts are to reinstall the spindle without caps, turn it on and polish the spindle with a very fine stone. Than use a flexible cylinder hone on the insides of the bearing after installing the caps. Not trying to get all surfaces perfect just get the high points off. Disassemble and clean everything. Install new felts and adjust bearing play. Any opinions?
My thoughts are to reinstall the spindle without caps, turn it on and polish the spindle with a very fine stone. Than use a flexible cylinder hone on the insides of the bearing after installing the caps. Not trying to get all surfaces perfect just get the high points off. Disassemble and clean everything. Install new felts and adjust bearing play. Any opinions?