"Don" wrote in message
...
I put that idea in my hat band for another trip to town and someone
with the ablity to drill thru 3 inches of metal..
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
If you have a drill bit that's over three inches long, you have that ability
yourself. Use a Jacobs chuck in your tailstock.

BTW, the question about weakening the spindle extender (I guess that's the
same as a spindle adapter) was thoroughly explored here a couple of years
ago. Do not worry--the metal close to the center line contributes almost
nothing to the stiffness.