Wow, this is all great info but I'm afraid, over my EE head.
Ok, so I imagine Paul, that you mean a tapered roller bearing for the 1/2" rod.
Mark:
- Yes, I can add a thrust bearing under the top collar.
- I have no idea what " two angular-contact ball races" are. I will try to look it up on McMaster.
- The threaded rod is 1/2", it isn't bending. Though the unit is sort of tall and "narrow" and thus does tend to want to have the bottom move left/right with respect to the top since that is where the load is.
The spring was to push the assembly back up to then get the drill to turn off.
I also do not know what "studding" is. Can you elaborate or refer me to a link?
Thanks,
Jorge