Dennis, I have been working on one my self for a few years on and off. I have the bed made as well as the head stocks and tool rest. As it's light weight I built it out of ply. The drive is being driven off of the wheel to a shaft that runs below the bed. It is housed in two pillow bearings. It then drives out past the head stock to drive the live end. It works to that point. I am stumped as to how to drive the stock. I have looked at many ideas but none have been implemented. And there I stand. It is fairly light weight but it will spin the live end real fast. It is something I would like to get finished.
Kevin, thanks for joining and pictures of your lathe you built. Like the design along the rails and legs.