Looks like this is the spot for machine mods. I can't wait to look through this topic!
I put needle roller thrust bearings front and back so I could run it with zero play for grinding cutteres, but the 'bearing' is just cast iron to cast iron, as it was. I put Mobil ! synthetic in it thru the locking screw hole on top. It's low RPM so I think it will be OK as is.
I plan to use it for sharpening, grinding OD of hard stuff, making pulleys and gears and perhaps single point threading.
My rotary table (now sold) would have been more accurate, but would rotate too slowly for what I need.