Thread: Old Woodfast lathe

There should be some method to increase the tension on the belt. That would be my first port of call.

I assume you have established that it is the drive belt that is the problem.

Thanks Lance, I just assumed it was the tension in the belts. The adjustment (the weight of the motor and an adjustable bolt) is at its full extent. But I am not sure.
Bryan

Thanks China. I am pretty ignorant about the mechanics of the lathe
Bryan

presumably V belt drive? Tension is one thing - if slippage this is your problem. If not possibly ass motor - for what you want to do. have seen lathes with sewing machine motors -Good for say 1/2 inch spindles!!! Don't necessarily Trust the markings on the motor - have replaced a Chinese motor -1/3 HP with an old 1/3 HP washing machine motor on a drill press - about doubled the grunt. Not saying that the Chinese LIE -BUTTTTTTT!!!!
Go for at least 1/2 proper HP or more. Should let you deal with -say 10" x 6" redgum or such. And if slippage is a thing and possibly the problem then introduce some form of tightening up of the system. If nothing else - try wedges until you can work out something like a metal screw format. -Not hard.
Good luck. Spin that wood.

Pictures will help

Thanks for the input. A friend says the belts need replacing. That is a problem. I am having trouble sourcing the belts and The markings have faded on one of them. One belt says Hainsworth P 41 4 MARK III. The OD is1040 and ID is 1030 and is 25mm wide and 10mm deep. The other slightly longer belt OD 1100 ID 1090 28mm wide 10 mm deep but markings are faded.
Any help very much appreciated
Bryan

It appears that you have CBC and BSC bearing and transmission suppliers in Wagga Wagga. If you take the belts to them they will be able to quickly work out what you need. By the dimensions given they appear to be Reeves style belts as they are a lot wider than standard vee belts.

Thankyou again
I went to Wagga bearings and they cannot get the same belts. They said Hainsworth belts might be available from New Zealand. Do the replacement belts have to be the exact same dimensions (mainly length) as the old ones? Sorry for all the dumb questions!

Without seeing how the setup is on your lathe it's difficult to offer advice on what options you have.
Is your drive anything like this one below?

Variable drive.JPG

You could try making contact with Woodfast (link removed) to see if they can offer any info if they have used something out of the norm on your lathe.

Originally Posted by Treecycle

Without seeing how the setup is on your lathe it's difficult to offer advice on what options you have.
Is your drive anything like this one below?

Variable drive.JPG

You could try making contact with Woodfast (link removed) see if they can offer any info if they have used something out of the norm on your lathe.

Be careful - I think that link is no longer applicable. Other navigation menu items take you to questionable web pages.

Looks like that site is out of date as I tried to ring the phone No. stated and it said it wasn't connected. Maybe this thread can be of assistance.

Originally Posted by Treecycle

Without seeing how the setup is on your lathe it's difficult to offer advice on what options you have.
Is your drive anything like this one below?

Variable drive.JPG

You could try making contact with Woodfast (link removed) to see if they can offer any info if they have used something out of the norm on your lathe.

Originally Posted by Mobyturns

Be careful - I think that link is no longer applicable. Other navigation menu items take you to questionable web pages.

I was under the impression that Woodfast Australia in SA was no longer around. From memory the site changed to Woodworking Solutions but a search via google shows them as permanently closed.

In the meantime I will remove the link.

I tried to upload some images. To show the pulley etc is a mammoth task by taking the metal cabinet apart.