?

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.