Thread: Changing the drive belt on a vintage Woodfast disc and belt sander

Originally Posted by Beanman

...Apologies if I have posted this in the wrong place. If I have feel free to move it and/or set me right.

Well, it's a machine, and you say it's vintage - so I reckon you've asked in the right place - "Antique and Vintage Machinery".

But I know nothing about Woodfast (or most other brands) disc and belt sanders - so can't answer you query. I'm assuming the drive belt is continuous? You could consider a jointed belt, if you can stand the flip-flop (or click-clack) sound of the joint going over the pulleys.

Cheers, Vann.

Originally Posted by Beanman

Hi. I own a vintage Woodfast disc and belt sander almost identical to the one pictured in Bueller's thread. Would anyone know the procedure for changing the drive belt? It seems the spindle (axle?) that drives both the disc and belt needs to be dismantled in order to do this. I have owned the machine for a number of years and have not needed to change the drive belt until now and it has me stumped. Thought I'd better ask for help rather than risk breaking something.
Apologies if I have posted this in the wrong place. If I have feel free to move it and/or set me right.

Hi Beanman .

It would make getting help easier if you put a link to "Beuller's thread " We (Except Beuller) have no idea what machine it is ATM .

Is it one of these?

Woodfast 240V 10A 3sp Linisher & Disc Sander Read All Ad details 1st | Miscellaneous Goods | Gumtree Australia Manningham Area - Doncaster | 1257323886


If it is. Its got the same belt drive head stock Woodfast used on the Lathe they made. And they need taking apart for a belt change .

Either link to a similar machine or put up pictures of yours If you can .

Its your first post I notice so your possibly trying to figure out how to do that.

Rob

Hi Rob,

Yes my machine is basically the same as the one you have posted there, just with less covering and dust extraction parts and it did not cost me anything near the asking price for that one!
I have worked out that the headstock needs to be dismantled, I just can't figure out how that is achieved.

Any help you can provide is most appreciated.

And Vann, thanks for the advice I might consider a jointed belt next time around but I should learn how to break the machine down all the same. Plus I already have a new belt ready to go on it.

Beanman

I have one of the Woodfast lathes with that head stock but have never had it apart for belt replacement. It doesn't look like it would be too hard to get apart . Just check to see what the bearings are held in and try and figure which direction they were assembled. Proceed slowly with caution . Clean and remove any rust or gunk build up on spindle and cast bearing housings before applying pressure. And don't force things to hard.
Bearings can either go in a hole cut for them that goes right through or they sit up against a shoulder in the casting which means there is only one way out . Spindles can have a shoulder to hold a bearing at a location as well . With the parts clean and then give it a bit of a tap with a mallet in the direction you think will work and look for signs of movement . That's how I normally solve this problem .


Here is a link to the Woodturning General section . Lancec did a thread on restoring his Woodfast Lathe with pictures of the head stock in pieces.
Ask a question in a new thread up there in that section and you will probably get a few Woodturners who have had theirs apart giving an answer.


Restoring an early 80’s Woodfast Lathe


Rob

If you don't want to pull it apart... You can always use a Link Belt.
Gaza

Originally Posted by Gaza58

If you don't want to pull it apart... You can always use a Link Belt.
Gaza

Known also as Fenner belts.

Thanks Rob. I will try that and will post some photos as my headstock is slightly different to the one pictured in that thread. I will also post photos on this thread.

Take the top shaft off, slip the new belt over it,and replace. I did it to mine took about 10 minutes and another 5 minutes to tension the motor down again.

Thanks riverbuilder, but I guess the actual question is: how do I take the top shaft off?

Originally Posted by Beanman

Thanks riverbuilder, but I guess the actual question is: how do I take the top shaft off?

Post a couple of photos of the machine with particular attention to the main shaft and the bearings st each end and we can talk you through it