The spindle bearings look good and the caps have shims so they can be adjusted. That's a good thing.
thanks Greg,
the shims are brass, and they are .001" thick each, an ingenious method of reducing the journal clearance quickly.
although there are limitations, the bearing surface becomes oval as a result of wear and how the bearings are pinched together.
of course it will literally take in the order of hundreds of thousands of revolutions, possibly millions to wear the old girl out .
i have been told in many ways from many people the importance of lubing your machinery EVERYTIME you use it.
enough of the soap box :soapbox:...
i was more than a little relieved when i took the spindle caps off and the sight below was very nice.
there was still liquid oil present on the spindle journals as well as the caps.
the pictures are showing dark bands on the spindle, but this is not the case in natural light.
i'm not sure as to why the iphone's camera picked them up . the journals are as smooth as glass, no ridging or no bumps:thumbsup:
boy am i glad i didn't fall into the Need a Headstock Pit!!
thanks again Greg!