well thanks for the responce guys - just so you know what you are
dealing with i have a link to a photo of similar -
http://www.lathes.co.uk/advertphoto/050917wadkin/3.jpg
firstly i should have said that i was hoping to use a lamp auger and
hollow tail centre (long hole boring kit) and that the hole cold be in
excess of 1 metre.
1. the lathe is simply a fantastic piece of engineering and apart from
a vb i dont know what would i would ever change it for - so changing
the lathe is not an option.
2. the headstock is probably 50cm wide so feeding through the headstock
and then another 50cm would be exceesive.
3. i dont think that any real engineering will be required - since i
dont have the gear it would be expensive and i could probably cog
something together from a hollow tailstock from a graduate if i could
find one for about the same money.
4. im not very confident a bout drilling with excessive long bits held
in the headstock towards a large piece in the tailstock.
5. i was thinking of gripping the hollow centre woth my banjo - driving
it in and securing. but it need constant tightening to stop the whole
thing coming off.
6. so far i like the idea from leo - if i have picked it up right -
take out the barrel of the tailstock (and providing i can remove the
back end which i will have to check) replace the barrel with a turned
piece with tapered hole to fit hollow tail centre. i can then adjust
position etc. all depends on the back of tailstock - not fussed on
drilling it out -

keep the ideas coming and thanks for your help