Not knowing any better Mick (and having one missing at the time) I just turned a replacement up from some scrap mild steel for use on my elderly Victoria Horizontal. I now know (of course) that my 'copy' was just a pale imitation of the real thing (it's not ground, not hardened and probably not to microns accuracy either). It's just a steel cylinder faced at each end with a 1" hole bored through it….which might sound simple enough to do (if you take a bit of care) but clearly there must be more to it….?
Well, now I'm somewhat older (but much wiser – at least in my opinion) and I now know that you clearly need all the 'precision' that the Far East is capable of throwing at such objects (special steels, induction hardening, ground surfaces, not to mention enormous cost). Perish the thought that you could actually make something (almost) as good in your Shed!! No special steels, no hardening, no ground surfaces….sounds like some form of engineering heresy (fleeting image of self burning at stake).
The funny thing is that mine (against all the odds) seems to work quite well. I was looking at the arbor just now and I couldn't immediately spot which one was 'my' spacer … although I'm afraid they are all showing their age somewhat.
Anyway, enough. With a bit of effort I'm sure it will be £30 very well spent. Horizontals are very handy machines (for those that appreciate them e.g. learn to use them well) and once set-up and equipped your A&S will be a very useful tool indeed. Please let us know how you get on with it.
Regards,
IanT