"Bob La Londe" wrote in message
...
As with many such "inexpensive" products the manual and documentation has
the basic safety stuff to try and mitigate liability, but not a lot of
operation detail. Never having played with a metal lathe before I am
learning how to make tools and fixtures (I think I have a grasp of the
distinction now) and accessories.

One little project was made easier by use of the feed, but I noticed
something odd. In forward feed (right to left with chuck turning towards
the operator) I have to hold the gear engage lever up or it drops out of
gear and stops feeding. It's a very positive feel like that is what it is
supposed to do. However, when reverse feed is engaged (left to right) It
does not drop out. It stays positively engaged. Is this normal? Should
it drop out when I let off the lever in either direction or should it stay
engaged in both directions? Or should it do exactly what it does. I just
now took the gear cover off to take a look, and except for swapping gears
for different feed rates or thread spacing there is no obvious way to
change its operation.

P.S. I am not crazy about this lever being behind the lathe so that I have
to reach around or (EGAD!) over the lathe to engage it. I would think for
safety it would be better to be in front.