I have both – a rack drive with barrel marked in metric and a lever with barrel marked in imperial.

I am currently building a small vertical steam engine in imperial so lever tailstock barrel is in use.

But – do have one or the other – you will never regret it.

With so much drilling done in the lathe the screw feed is so slow and a right pain for drilling deep holes winding the barrel in and out.

Lever or rack is much quicker and easier.

It's probably good for the drills.

Richard 2.

Steve , I have the rack attachment and wouldn't be without it now . It is much more sensitive than the standard barrel ( essential for smaller drills ) plus I continually use the friction -set depth scale . Had serious reservations at the high cost when bought it new from Myford Nottingham , but now , as I've said I wouldn't be without it .

Trevor.

I have both and I prefer the lever but in all honesty, it's just personal preference and there's not a lot in it. You get more travel with the rack (from memory).

Steve – very simple to make – must be … I made one! Now have a Cowells rack triple lever; very worthwhile.

rgds

Bill

Made up ,a sensitive drilling attachment, mounted on a Morse taper arbor to fit into the screw feed tailstock, on my lathe. takes up a little space, but has caused no problems, so far, and have the best of both worlds.

(Made from a buckshee small drill chuck, the MT arbor and whatever else came to hand, so minimal cost)

Howard

Edited By Howard Lewis on 21/11/2017 17:51:37