Ok, so here we go figuring out the "metrics" of this project. The threading dial being the elephant in the room....well, the build should be easy ....ah hem...easier....as I only need 2 gears for the threading dial and not 5. The way my lathe is set up (as is most "school issue" or "converted" ) lathes they only really provide for 13 of the "most used" metric threads. This means you could cut threads down to M4 with some exceptions and M6 up pretty much good to go. EXCELLENT! this also means I only need to make a threading dial that has 2 indications - for reference I included the chart as a PDF and the QCGBX threading chart. I only require a 30 tooth and a 26 tooth follower gear to mesh with my lead screw.....beauty!
All threads other than: 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, and 8.0 can be disregarded as they are not "metric" the chart above was done up by some dude on Practical Machinist that has some issues...I mean, you can cut a 1.429 thread pitch but it won't fit anything.
Anyway, according to the chart (see the PDF if you wish) I only need the 2 gears to make my threading dial.
This would probably greatly simplify any confusion for
@Johnwa on his lathe as it will eliminate quite a few divisions on the dial and you only need 2 gear changes verses 5
Now to design an new threading dial that will look sexy and make Miss Metric more appealing to the folks that may enter the shop and also to Mr. Standard that will be sporting the tooling she can insert....hahaha