It doesn't appear to be bolted down. I'd be wary of switching it on like that

Roy

Smart paintwork!

I'd strongly advise you use a proper bench – it needn't necessarily be a Myford cabinet good, though that would be – and fit the lathe as it should be, to that. Preferably with a chip-tray, too. Not try to use a heavy, high-grade machine-tool standing loose on what looks like furniture designed for a bedroom. That as you have in those pictures is potentially bad for the lathe, inimical to accurate work, and very hazardous for you.

This rubbing problem…. I thought we'd sorted it between us all! Though I think consensus was really that you need someone actually visit and go over the lathe with you.

You should not have had to make a clip, unless the one fitted originally was missing. The cover stands directly on the head-stock wall, with a simple spring-clip that goes inside the head-stock. Though it doesn't seem to clip positively into anything. Not on mine, at any rate!