This project arrived as a feasibility request to see if it was possible to make a new spindle for the machine to accept R8 collets which are much more readily available.  After measuring the original, it appeared that an additional 3/8" or so in length would just allow the R8 collets to fit within the original spindle configuration. 

The original was not hardened so the replacement was machined from 1040 prehard steel.  A new drawbar was required, but no other modifications to the machine were necessary.  It was clear that previous users of the mill had not understood the necessity of using a pin spanner to tighten the collets since the internal key was long gone.  Presumably the knurled knob on the end of the drawbar had looked deceptively like a hand tighten recommendation.  The new drawbar includes the same feature to preserve the look of the original but adds the tightening hex of the standard R8 drawbars.

       Quill assembly with new spindle.                                                                       Old and new drawbars.