Thanks for all your replies everyone – it’s much appreciated. …and yes Robert, it’s a 14″ model – sorry for the omission.

I haven’t removed the bearings yet as the retaining rings are proving very stubborn, and I don’t want to butcher the thing, so no direct measurements at the moment. Nonetheless, I removed a load of gunk to reveal some writing on the inner race which reads “C88100” “NEW DEPARTURE” “MADE IN USA”. I managed to locate a New Departure catalogue from 1959, and an excerpt for the 88100 bearing, giving the measurements, is attached below.

I do know that the inner race is a friction fit, while the outer is a ‘slip’ fit, if that’s a technical term, i.e., once the retaining ring has been removed, the bearing can be simply pulled out without too much effort.

I have presumed that the extension has been machined from the inner race and then assembled into a bearing. Please ignore the comment “gap?” given in one of the photos – the notched extension spins within that “gap”.

I like Nicholas’ idea (thanks Nicholas), but so far I’ve not found any insert bearings with the appropriate combined dimensions. I don’t really want to go the ‘press fit’ route as getting the tolerances right might be difficult, especially as I will be press fitting the spindle into a press fit extension, but realise this may be the only way forward. If I have to go this route then the most important dimension will the outer diameter of the bearing (which unfortunately appears to be an odd size, although a shim could be used of course). The inner dimension will depend on the thickness of the extension sleeve to be press fit so there is leeway there. …unless I’m missing something.

When I’m able to get the thing out, I’ll post piccies of the assembly in case it’s useful for someone else with the same issue, and I’ll probably cut one of the old bearings down the middle to see how it’s constructed. That may be a little while, so the attached photos will have to suffice! Note that a part of one of the bearing extensions has sheared off (old damage) and the two keys/teeth on the collar are quite worn (only one spindle collar came with the machine, so I’ll have to machine at least another one once I get my lathe back together). Ah, the joys of free, second-hand equipment!

…or maybe I’ll pass the whole thing on as parts, and invest in a drill press that can also mill (also known as a milling machine). :-/

Cheers,

Duff.