The primary gear train on my 1941 South Bend lathe makes a lot of noise.

The primary gear train on my 1941 South Bend lathe makes a lot of noise. I believe the biggest culprit is the sliding gear, but the spindle gear is also very worn. I can’t find an exact replacement, but found something that is the correct tooth count, diametral pitch, pressure angle and diameter. But, it’s not as thick (1/2″ vs 11/16″) and has a smaller bore at .750″ and I need 1.437″. So I decide to modify the new gear to see if it helps with the noise. Check the link in my bio for a video of how I modified the bottom gear to replace the one shown on the top.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠

Instagram Source

When I assembled the compound of my lathe, I noticed a lot of slack in the screw.

When I assembled the compound of my lathe, I noticed a lot of slack in the screw, .025″ or more. I make an attempt and fixing that, but first facing off the dial and the bushing to remove the wear marks, and then by making an aluminum washer to take up the slack. I got most of it out, but not as much as I would have liked. Link my bio.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠

Instagram Source

The light at the end of the tunnel!.

The light at the end of the tunnel! I have the primary gear train reinstalled and working. The power feeds are running as expected. I still have some fine tuning to do before I decide to run any real projects through the lathe, but I’m at the point where I can make some chips! Check my bio for a link to a video.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠

Instagram Source