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IanA
2nd October 2003, 02:06 PM
I have a lathe that was owned by my wife's grandfather. I presume English manufacture, the only identifying name is "Tough". Anyone know anything about the origin of the brand?

The drive belt needs repacement (currently a conventional rubber vee belt) and this means disassembling the headstock, by pulling the bearings and the stepped pulley, in order to free the belt.

Is a multi-link leather belt an option (it would save having to strip down the headstock) or is that a return to the dark ages?

GGHorse
2nd October 2003, 05:32 PM
The Tough Lathe is actually Australian made, it was made in WA.

When Tough went bust Len Smith (The Woodsmith in VIC) bought the castings and was making the lathe.

I don't think he makes them anymore, but you would need to check with him. He is in Bayswater VIC.

As for the belt changing it is a major operation, and as you correctly noted the headstock shaft has to come out,

The lathe is a very strong well made piece of machinary and it will hold you in good stead for many years to come.

gatiep
2nd October 2003, 09:27 PM
Ian



We have one of those lathes at the woodturning club.

When we got it it had a 3 phase motor which we had to change. The one bearing was a bit suss as well, so we decided to replace both bearings as well as the motor.

However instead of putting the old belt back I opted to use a multiliknk belt. It is working well................so may be dark ages but hey if it works and makes life easier......I guess its a rescue.

Have fun.........................keep turnin

IanA
2nd October 2003, 10:04 PM
Thanks GGHorse. It's interesting to know that an Aussie brand has come and gone. I wonder how they would have fared in today's competitive environment.
As you say, the lathe is strong and well made. I expect it to still be going for my son, and maybe grandson, when the time comes.

Thanks Gatiep, I think I'll try a multilink belt. The bearings are still nice and quiet so I won't disturb them.

gatiep
2nd October 2003, 10:47 PM
Very wise move Ian. The one we've got has double bearings on either side of the stepped pulley. I could not move the shaft and bearings no matter what. Eventually had it pressed out with a press.
So if the bearings feel and sound good, best not to disturb them and I'm sure your grandchildren will enjoy that lathe.....maybe no wood around for them to turn tho!


Have fun..................keep turning

Jean Michel
4th October 2003, 02:44 AM
G'day Ian and All.

Like someone said, I would go for the link-belt type if the bearings are still good, much less problem to change. I have this kind of belt on almost all my machine tools and it can't be replaced by anything better, I think :)

Have fun, safely.
Jean.
In canada with an Australian made lathe, hee, hee.

My humble site (http://www.jeanmichel.org)

Garry Szakacs
28th October 2003, 04:52 PM
Does anybody know where multilink / link belts can be sourced in Australia ????

Regards,

Garry

kenmil
28th October 2003, 07:00 PM
I don't think they can be. They can be ordered from Rockler or Woodcraft and they are lightweight so freight is not a killer.

IanA
28th October 2003, 07:41 PM
I managed to find an engineering/machinery supply outlet locally that stocked multilink type belts off the roll, but only in the wider formats. "B" and "C" I think.

The belt I needed was definitely an "A" so no luck there.

In the end I bought a vee belt and bearing puller, removed the headstock shaft (with much grunting and muttering, but without causing any damage) and replaced the belt.

I'm sure some of the larger suppliers would stock a full range of this type of belt. Maybe places that specialise in bearings, belts and the like.

JohnM
28th October 2003, 09:59 PM
Hi
"A" section belt was available four years ago, when I had a proper job, but I cannot remember where we got it!! Big help!!!

However try Aablatch, Parkes, Nsw, on the web at www.aablatch.com.au/belts. If they don't have it there is a good chance they will get it or tell you where it may be available. Good luck.

By the way, make sure you fit it running in the correct direction, or you will get vibration and excessive wear.

John

Dan
28th October 2003, 11:33 PM
"A" section twistlink belt can be bought from here (search for belt then follow the twistlink link)

http://www.rs-components.com.au/

But at $300 for 5m I'd be looking around for a better price.

http://au.rs-c.dk/servlet/dk.stibo.module.ShowModuleServlet?moduleId=5038642

re do 4 u
2nd November 2003, 09:53 AM
if there is room, i always put 2 belts on and tie the second one away from the pulley as a spare. this doubles the time between tear-downs. a properly tensioned v-belt should last almost a lifetime on a small lathe as there is little or no slip on start-up. my "Tough" lathe uses the weight of the motor to keep the belt tight and only slips if i have a serious dig-in. it's been on now for 30yrs.

Joop
27th February 2004, 10:59 PM
Replacing belts or bearings on Tough lathes is not a hassle.
In my 30 odd years as an Industrial Arts teacher with the Western Australian Education Department I have done it at least 10 to 12 times.
Contact me by email ([email protected]), and I will email you a 4 page screed which includes a Tough parts list and detailed instructions on how to remove the spindle on the lathe. (I would attach the instructions here but I first need to have them scanned and Im not sure how big a file 4 pages will create).

It is chicken feed, even a birdbrain like me can do it in less than
45 minutes

And as for the recommendation to keep on turning, I think it is more important at my age to keep on breathing.

gatiep
27th February 2004, 11:09 PM
Joop

Just ensure that u have fun while u keep on breathing, otherwise theres not much point in using the oxygen!!
Cya
Joe

Labour_of_love
9th August 2021, 07:44 PM
I'm keen to know the shortcuts!?

NCArcher
10th August 2021, 09:13 AM
Joop was 96 years old in 2004 when he made that post. I hope he's still going strong but I doubt he cares about disassembling lathes now days. He also hasn't logged in since 2005.

NeilS
10th August 2021, 01:40 PM
... i always put 2 belts on and tie the second one away from the pulley as a spare. this doubles the time between tear-downs.

Someone resurrected this old thread hoping a 96 yr old in 2004 might still be about to help out.... expect that the would-now - 113yr old will need some resurrecting first. Only hope that I'm as with it as he was at 96, if I get that far.

Anyway, good advice given back then by re do 4 u on adding a second belt if pulling headstock apart to replace a belt (or bearing), which I've always done myself although I've never been the beneficiary of doing that, but subsequent owners of my lathes may have.

Bushmiller
10th August 2021, 04:34 PM
Joop was 96 years old in 2004 when he made that post. I hope he's still going strong but I doubt he cares about disassembling lathes now days. He also hasn't logged in since 2005.

Tony

The age updates automatically. In 2004 he was around 79 years old (actually make that 79 years of age as I am increasingly reluctant to mention "old"). However, he did not submit any further posts so it was a bit of a one night stand.

Regards
Paul

NeilS
10th August 2021, 08:39 PM
Tony

The age updates automatically. In 2004 he was around 79 years old (actually make that 79 years of age as I am increasingly reluctant to mention "old").
...
Regards
Paul

OK, I fell for that one too!

So, old turners' posts don't die with them, they roll on amusing those that are left.

I'll have to be more prudent with what I write from now on...:B