Hi Jay, wouldn't I need to change the foot brake switch out to use the mechanical feature and the VFD from the start?
I like the idea of the toggle jog, its high on my list. I don't have the wiring for it yet. I'm not going to put a P-switch on for a while. if ever.
I like the Kool-Mist over a flood system, way less mess in my opinion, for what I do. I can move it to/from the Super-Max, where it has lived for the last 33 years, as needed too. The base needs to have front access to the coolant system, anything else needs re-thought out. I am going to place the lathe as close to the wall as possible both to the rear and tail stock end (of course leaving room to remove the tail stock).
I am going to remove the skirt below the pullout pan and install ball bearing slides/frame and make a pullout shelf for all the lathe related items and put the skirt on the front of it. It won't even be noticeable.
I got the PM 2 axis DRO from Matt.