Greg,
Sporty idea on the drip trays under the machine base for way oil!
I do dry machine work while Im learning and mastering skills. A couple trays under the y axis would help contain way oil and make cleanup a little better.
I have an automatic oiler also, and I can say the machine does not run dry with it on .

Question on pillows under the machine. Could pillows float up and get into y axis screw?
Anyway great idea on drip pans and streamlined swarf catchers.
Lane