Thread: Drive Belt Replacement

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.

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

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.

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

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

Does anybody know where multilink / link belts can be sourced in Australia ????

Regards,

Garry

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.

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.

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

"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.m...duleId=5038642

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.

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.

Joop

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

I'm keen to know the shortcuts!?