Homemade Lathe Headstock EXTERNAL Gearbox

[Toolmaker51]

Can't believe how many times your [LMMasterMariner] gearbox post and I cross paths. Maybe some unknown force is directing me to create one, but I don't know where to install it! To me the single critical issue is laying and producing out two opposing walls of ideal parallelism. With a large horizontal, line-boring is obvious. I'll bet few readers have such access. Pillow blocks are a logical work around, sandwiched together in a vertical mill is a good secondary approach. Regarding a layout of 6203 bearings, I'm trying to visualize getting so many bearing bores registered right and left to construct a box, not to mention some increase of thickness.
Shafts floating in a radial bearing at one end, and a tapered set on the other would tempt me, having a legitimate 4' work envelope. Auto spindle bearings have all the load and RPM range needed and plenty economical. Well directed lube becomes more important too.

I'll say again; as one doing bores, long keyways and large X-Y layouts frequently. This multi-speed gear set is still my favorite endeavor in HMT.net, deserving 'Tool Of The Week' forever, just so much to appreciate.