I'm inclined to think that due to the lack of evidence on the spindle, whatever caused the scratches was dealt with. I suppose I could blue it up and see how it prints before messing with a hone or sandpaper?...
Hi Chad, Your spindle looks very good. You could try blueing it, but a couple of thou clearance is an awful lot when using prussian blue. Even when brand new, theoretically the spindle would have only touched the bearing at the bottom in the centre, and have 0.0005"-0.001" clearance at the front and rear of the bearing bore ie 1-2 thou clearance on diameter.
Your original idea is fine. Clean and paint everything, assemble the spindle, dry and clean, and adjust the front bearing for 0.001" vertical clearance. If the horizontal play is about the same or maybe even 2-3 thou, you can throw a party! Bearings usually wear in the vertical dimension because the work piece wants to climb over the tool. That's why taking out shims will usually fix excessive play in a bearing by pulling the top half down.
OR, you could do all of that now, and then know where you go from here. It's your choice, but either way, if it's REALLY bad, another (better) headstock might be the best option. I think Greg did that with his Heavy 10.
Same with the cross slide. Having a nice granite plate will identify all the bad bits. But, sometimes, ignorance is bliss! I'd leave it well alone, unless you simply must recondition it. Checking that the tailstock is on centre with the spindle, vertically, is one thing I certainly would do. Very annoying when a small centre drill breaks because the tailstock barrel jumps up to be on the centreline... Don't forget, the last time your SB was used, it probably actually worked like a lathe!
) Keep the pics coming.
Regards, RossG
radial1951
_____________
