If a fool mounted a overly large blank of wood on the out board side of a lathe ( lets say 12" Delta heavy duty) and roughed it out successfully with few catches; but later discovered that the outbaord spindle no longer rotated true on the axis, where could a fool point to as the failure. Would the bearings have been crushed on those catches or, the spindle bent?? Any other direction to look at to solve this problem ? ~Bard~
Are you saying that the retractable shaft on the tail stock is bent? I on a common basis turn large heavy wet logs on my lathe (small powermatic 45) to the point where it shakes and walks across the shop floor. I have never managed to bend the tailstock shaft ( but I'm still trying). It sounds to me you need to replace the shaft or get an entirely new tailstock.
Every lathe has its limitations. The smaller light duty ones are just that. light duty don't push it.
Before mounting any heavy and/or odd shape pieces on the lathe it is important to try and balance it as best as you can first. simply place the object between the headstock and tailstock and tighten just to the point that it will hold the piece and allow you to spin it without spinning the spurr (it should be resting on the the points only). spin it gently by hand, the heavy area migrates to the bottom, re-adjust it by repositioning the piece (raising it 1/8") and spin again. Do this until the piece will rotate a few turns freely. You just need to get it close, don't go crazy with it.
Thanks for the response, all.
On this lathe the spindle is 1"x8 threads, and both the Delta faceplate(with right hand and left hand threads) and a custom made face plate(left hand threads) seem to be off on the out board side.
With a large green log the lathe will dance around, even at low speeds, that has effects while using an outboard toolrest STAND untill it is round. But even with the faceplates alone on the headstock spindle one can observe them not turning true.
I will check for latteral movement of he spindle and try to see if the spindle is no longer concentric. The mounting of the spindle is one other area to look over so...
Thanks, Bard
If a fool mounted a overly large blank of wood on the out board side of a lathe ( lets say 12" Delta heavy duty) and roughed it out successfully with few catches; but later discovered that the outbaord spindle no longer rotated true on the axis, where could a fool point to as the failure. 
Would the bearings have been crushed on those catches or, the spindle bent?? Any other direction to look at to solve this problem ? ~Bard~
nix everything i said although they are wise words.