Mr. TWW's lathe is broken. Mr. TWW is thankful the Sears Master Protection Agreement covers the parts. Sears also showed a bit of brilliant customer service in the process that should make its stockholders proud. Sears customer service had a female service rep who talked with TWW who told her what parts were broken and needed replacement. She cheerfully told him the parts are covered by the warranty. Next, she asked if he could fix the lathe himself. (That is the brilliant part). No real man who has ever bought a Craftsman tool is going to admit to a woman he can't fix something so Sears does not have to spend money sending a repairperson out to TWW's to install the parts.
Fortunately, TWW found a Web site with detailed instructions on how to fix this type of lathe (http://aroundthewoods.com). Squishing up the spring in the picture is not easy.
Also, as seen in the picture TWW had his duct tape out in case it was needed.
