I have just been using my Proxxon DB 250 lathe to make the bowsprit for Bounty. With about 35mm of 10mm dia dowel protruding the chuck, I notice that as I moved the gouge towards the end there was at least 2mm of deflection - it was not the dowel, but the spindle. I dismantled the headstock, took off the bearings & found they had a very pronounced 'rock' between the races. I bought a pair of SKF replacements (£10 inc. post), there was a lot less play in these. I fitted them using Loctite retaining fluid & reassembled. My DB250 now has no deflection in the spindle. This machine IMHO would have benefitted from having a spindle the full length of the headstock instead of only halfway, or even decent quality bearings, which would only have cost a few pennies more. Now that's sorted I must press on with the masts.