Arch one addition here, regular ball bearings are not designed for
axial trust, but you don't have to go to spherical or tapered roll
bearings hat need preload on them, there are torrington or angular load
ball bearings, specifically designed for loading in both directions, I
put a link in here for you to peruse if you like.
They would be exactly the kind of bearings for most wood lathes. MO

http://www.timken.com/industries/tor...r/ang_cntk.pdf

Have fun and take care
Leo Van Der Loo