Thanks Hopper. Because I also new to metal lathes I won't think of doing anything that I think is questionable. I am at heart a wood turner and have used this method lots of times to remove a stuck chuck BUT wanted to check with the experts. Opps!! Now that I think about it I am unsure if the back gears are engaged or not!!!! So far I am just using it the way I got it but I better check. Could have been I was just lucky. New to the forum and am unsure how to find Mew's updated design?
I did try turning the ends of a wrench I made yesterday for the 4 independent jaw chuck
I got with the deal and now am unsure of the quality of the lathe. Mind, it is just sitting on a piece of plywood, not bolted or fastened down and as I turned (at the slowest speed without back gears engaged) the cross slide seemed to move across the ways on each revolution.