Yeah.? But instead of today someone going to the trouble to convert a babbit headstock to some automotive split rod bearings, it would be quicker and cheaper to pick up a Timken bearing headstock and spindle and transfer the rest of the parts to it.
Robert, you pose a very interesting question here. Other than basic conservationism on the part of customers and producers I do not see why! But then the basic design of our lathes was done in an era when Chevrolet still had poured babbitt connecting rod bearings! This would be a thought for upgrading an older poured babbitt headstock with a larger spindle, bigger through hole and trimetal insert bearings! Bill in Boulder
On 1/26/19 11:57 AM, Robert Downs via Groups.Io wrote:
They are similar to the bearings used in most automotive and aircraft engines except that most of those built since sometime between 1900 and 1920 have replaceable steel backed bearing halves.? Why Atlas, South Bend and many other makers didn¡¯t do that, I don¡¯t know.
