A little more modern to boot. I just took another look at the spindle connector - it is actually a larger version of the 4-pin mike connector. Doesn't look too bad to solder to and seems a bit heftier.

Decided to affix the spindle to my surface plate and check it out while I was messing with it. The inner contact surface of the spindle is nuts on - I get under a tenth of runout - very nice! The included collet, not so much. More than 2 thou (once the needle on my tenths indicator starts moving that much, I don't bother to get an exact measurement). Probably worrying too much for a primarily wood machine, but that collet goes in the trash. I'll order a Lyndex or Royal...

This is getting fun!
Wallace