Well, Its finally setup and turning. A garage sale $50 atlas/craftsman plain bearing 618, turned into a long project. New spindle bearing (sintered bronze) were needed (and homemade!!), as well as a full cleaning. The ways are worn more near the chuck, then near the tailstock, but then again, its an old lathe.... A couple of new belts, a fabricated 90vdc motor / mount, a KBR controller and she runs smooth!!! Now to adjust her up for smooth and square cutting (had a slight taper on the first cut)... The chuck runs with .002 runout on the outside shell. I haven't checked the runout on a work piece yet, but Ill bet it will be very tight!!!!
I've never run a lathe before, never owned one before, but it sure has been fun. I've been doing all my own work, with help from the Google archives of this group and other internet resources.... The wife says I am drawn to anything that is shine, lights up or goes around.. 2 out of three aint bad for this old lathe!!!!
bob in phx