Mat159:
You don't need a gear puller to remove the Thrust Washer. Soak the area in penetrating oil and clean the area from the washer to the end of the shaft with steel wool. Take a piece of hardwood and tap the washer off the shaft. If you measure the Leadscrew at the threaded portion you will get 1-1/4 inches and the portion that the Washers fits on is 15/16 inches. the right hand end of the Leadscrew is threaded 15/16" x 14. Originally, the left hand end was not threaded after passing through the Gear Box, but a later date, it had a filler piece and a Thrust Washer. The thrust washer is held in place by a set screw and is unscrewed with a Pin Spanner. The right hand nut is also removed using a pin spanner.
All of the posters have giving excellent advice about removing the Apron, but I would like to add a bit more. Even through this is a
Single Walled Apron and not a Double Walled Apron, it is still heavy and may cause problems getting it off the Leadscrew. To make the
job a bit easier, I arrange a "creeper" under Apron with a small scissor jack mounted on the creeper. Before the Apron can be removed,
it will be necessary to remove all of the shaft brackets. Don't forget the Automatic Stop rod bracket located under Apron as well as
the one located at the end of the Bed. With both Auto Sop Rod brackets removed, crank the Apron to the end of the Bed. Adjust the creeper jack to where it just supports the bottom of the Apron. Within a foot of the left hand side of the Apron, tie up all three
shafts with cord or whatever is handy. This will support the shafts, but it will also allow you to move them about as you remove the
Apron. Next remove the four bolt that secure the Apron to the Carriage. It will be necessary, in most cases, to move the Cross Slide
in a bit to find the "hidden" Screw Head. With the bolts loose but not remove, lower the Apron with the jack. Using a flashlight to
see the Cross Feed Gear, keep lowering until the Gear clears the bottom of the Carriage. At this point, you can remove the bolts and start sliding the Apron past the end of the bed, clearing the Half-Nuts by moving the end of the Leadscrew up or down. Make any vertical adjustments necessary using the jack. Two more things you need to keep in mind, make sure that you clean the Featherway and apply penetrating oil. This will help to prevent jamming of the Worm Keys in the Featherway. Don't forget to remove the Reverse Shaft Bracket and Handel from the Apron before removing the Apron. When you have the Apron off the lathe, this would be a good time to check for worn parts, particularly the Worm Keys.
Hendeyman