The Home Machinist!

A simple router solid state speed control, good for 25 amps from Rockler, might work just as well unless you really have your heart set on a Variac. Pretty sure mine has not been used in 20+ years.

I have never seen ones quite like that before. I have seen the carbides like that separately and have used them to make special cutters - those you can find at MSC and other places - relatively inexpensive. Might try ebay, sometimes odd bits do show up. Thinking that you may need to make a jig to ho...

I like the concept of selling as a complete package; considering taking that approach if I ever need to close the shop. After being to auctions where a lathe is sold as a bunch of lots with tool holders, chucks, collets, all separated and sold individually, the buyer is left scrambling to assemble a...

Understand!

Might check https://www.surpluscenter.com/

They have lots of castors of all sizes and ratings, usually quite reasonably priced. Also lots of other goodies you will wonder how you ever managed without! Much of my stuff rolls on their offerings.

File cleanout; free but for shipping; All new(except for age); South Bend Handbook #44 oct 1930 Latest Shop Practices, bulletin #30 jan 1931 South Bend Lathe works Bulletin #13, 13" lathe, South Bend, sept 1929, 2 copies Atlas milling machines, catalog M43, 1943 Mostly features, accessories, and sal...

Then there is the issue of materials. Historic ones mainly used cast iron or oak or leather on cast iron. For a model probably does not make much difference.

According to my 1916 Halsey's handbook, the cone angle should be greater than 8 - 10 degrees to prevent sticking. Angles slightly above 10 degrees are used with spring loaded clutches. 15 - 20 degrees are used with mechanical linkage engage/disengagement. The angles given are measured between the ro...

I would be concerned with old O rings and seals.

Probably depends a lot on the machine you are using, size of the mill, smooth or corn cobb type mill,... More details may allow someone to make an educated suggestion. I have a very solid Gorton mill and can trip the motor overloads on heavy cuts. You may have a different set of operating conditions.

Be a sight just to watch it in motion with all of the parts and belts going.

Flame arrestors in piping is common in certain industries, but not any screen will work. There are specific design requirements for flame arrestors, not a do it yourself device. Commercial flame arrestors are NFPA or UL listed.