I have google searched ''reverse tumbler gear" and the first result I found was a link to micro-machine-shop, with a series of images of the construction and instillation for a 9x20 jet lathe. It's not the exact same machine, but is the next best thing.

Thanks for the response Norman. Where are you in TX? We lived in Alamo for 4 years after I retired but came back to IA after my MIL died down there. I still claim to be a Texan. We have done volunteer work in Big Bend Nationa Park last spring.

I agree on the RPM speed. I just turned some 8TPI internal threads to make a catch plate to go on the spindle.  It was difficult to catch the right number as it went by. I'm new at this and made the threading tool and bar to do it with. I've got a lot to learn and I usually learn by mistakes. I've made lots of them so I must be learning lots.

Have a good evening.

Bob

Bob

I tore the lathe apart to see just what a guy might do to make the reverse gears. I'm going to measure the plastic gears and grind a cutting tooth before I put the lathe back together. That way I'll be able to cast then machine some gears. I think the way the reverse is going to have to be made is to get the big plastic gear to travel in an arc. I'm also not sure if putting a smaller gear on for reverse, if it will effect the ratio when going to the right. Seems I read that it shouldn't in a single train but I think this will be in a compound train so I don't know if it will work. I also think the plastic gears will need to be redone in metal?

Any way here is some photos of what I did.

I took off the spindle pulley so I could get the spindle gear off.

this is how the gears look in relation to each other when on the lathe

this what I would need to add a reverse gear. The pretend gear in mesh with the large plastic gear. forwards for the carriage

neutral no movement of the carriage the large plastic gear will need to move down following the arc of the large metal gear the reverse gear is always in mesh with the large plastic gear.

I took a look at the bearing while I had it apart

here is the numbers on this bearing

HR8    32009 X/PG  I can't tell if iit's a timken type or a plain roller bearing? with it apart I didn't detect any side play.

I'll put the lathe back together while I get to work making the molds for the gears and the cutter.

If you have an idea simpler or more complex show it. I know this will be a nice addition to this lathe by making it reversible.

No problem Bob. I know Tyler has talked about this and I'm sure he'd like to be able to reverse the Grizzly G0602 also I'll bet there's a bunch of people with this lathe that would like to be able to. I haven't seen anyone write anything about actually doing it. So either it can't be done or no one wants to put the info out on the web.

 I've started making the milling tooth for the plastic gears along with the mandrel, about got it made. I happen to have some wood patterns that will work fine for casting a few blanks to make the gears and I'm itching to try the dividing wheel  so I hope this can be done.

I'm still thinking about how to make the gear brackets and the mounting stuff. If I can get the darn thing to work properly it will be a surprise to me. If it don't work at least I may have replacement gears in aluminum instead of the plastic gears.

Norman