More on lathe tools

[DIYSwede]

Thanks, Tony for your elaborate and quick reply, which fully answered my perhaps silly questions.
Your general discussion on bearing types is right up my alley -
angular contact ones is the 1st choice for my upcoming change,
but also your choices for dismantling tools and why (incl pics)...

The last paragraph's description of your method of bearing alignment is very helpful,
reminds me exactly of how I way back had to make a device for adjusting wheel bearings on my TT bicycle:
Adjusting the cones on the hollow axle for a good fit, only to have that overtight by the quick-release "skewer" bolt.
Had to devise a way to compress the axle to nominal skewer pressure whilst adjusting the cone & locknut at the same time...
No team bike tech I then knew had any idea what I was talking about - even less that it was a problem.
Just put a screwdriver on the axle end, put your ear against the handle, turn the wheel and "listen to the bearing song"...

And as always: -It all boiled down to "feel for play", and washing thru all the mutually exclusive methods supplied by manufacturers and "know-it-alls".
There's exactly where your generous sharing of your own thoughts, methods and experiences are so useful!

Cheers