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Changing mini lathe

G

glenpen

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I am thinking of changing my Mini Lathe which is a Axminster AWVSL ( 700241 ) Although it is quite good I find the draw back is that if you have to replace the drive belt it is a major operation and also although it is variable speed you have to manually change the positions of the belt. Is there a lathe on the market that has the facility to replace the belt easy and a lathe that you can use with the variable speed without having to manually change the position of the belt. (Am I living in dream land )

Glen:praying::praying:
 
fortress

fortress

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The one I have is the Jet 1221 variable speed, belt change is easy. I find it very practical and a joy to own. However, the price is £700. I can't comment on any other machine because I am not familiar.
 
Dalboy

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I also have that lathe and find that for the majority of the work that I use it for I leave the belt on the centre pulley, and when I do need to change the belt it could not be simpler(for speed that is).

As for changing a broken belt you will find that most lathes you will need to take the top shaft to pieces to do so as the shaft is supported at both ends
 
Woody

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There needs to be at least two pulley speeds on a V/S lathe for the different types of work that may be carried out like spindle turning and bowl turning that is because you need more torque when turning bowls and a slower speed but for say just pen turning there is no need to change the belt I set my small lathe on the middle pulley and there it stays in most cases when you first start using a new lathe it can be difficult to change the belt but as time goes on you get used to it and it gets easier but in saying that some of the cheaper small penturning lathes there is only one speed choice but some dont last very long
As for the belt change that has been covered very well by Derek
 
Penpal

Penpal

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Glen you must do an extraordinary number of tasks on your lathe, my metal lathe has its original belt since 1965. The Vicmarc VL100 the original belt for thirty years.

Peter.
 
silver

silver

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I believe that the other posts have answered the question, however, why do you have to replace the belts?

I know I am not a big lathe user myself but my Dad was a daily user and I have only ever known him replace one set of belts, ever.

I have an old Myford metal lathe that has had its first set of belts in 35 years, hoping that sees me out.:wink:
 
G

glenpen

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silver said:
I believe that the other posts have answered the question, however, why do you have to replace the belts?

I know I am not a big lathe user myself but my Dad was a daily user and I have only ever known him replace one set of belts, ever.

I have an old Myford metal lathe that has had its first set of belts in 35 years, hoping that sees me out.:wink:
Click to expand...

Eamonn
I have had to change the belt at least 3 times in 18 months, I don't do a lot of turning but for some reason the plastic side of the belt comes away from the rubber side, its hard to explain, I have decided to keep turning until the belt snaps to see how long it last.

Glen:face::face:
 
silver

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glenpen said:
Eamonn
I have had to change the belt at least 3 times in 18 months, I don't do a lot of turning but for some reason the plastic side of the belt comes away from the rubber side, its hard to explain, I have decided to keep turning until the belt snaps to see how long it last.

Glen:face::face:
Click to expand...


It maybe the fact that you are over tightening it Glen.:thinks:
 
Dalboy

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glenpen said:
Eamonn
I have had to change the belt at least 3 times in 18 months, I don't do a lot of turning but for some reason the plastic side of the belt comes away from the rubber side, its hard to explain, I have decided to keep turning until the belt snaps to see how long it last.

Glen:face::face:
Click to expand...

Where are you buying replacements from. I have had to change mine once but that was because something came loose and it rubbed against it. Take the old one to a local belt supplier as you may find them a better quality that the original.

I also had to change the belt on my CL3 and got mine from a local supplier I brought 2 for about £10 I looked in the stile and bates book(they are the local agents for record) and the belt is £20+ each
 
Penpal

Penpal

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What is the alignment of the belt running?,if it wears one sided that could be a clue.

Now having said that a guy I was close to many years ago a pro turner changed speeds on his huge lathe by crossing the belt over, what I would consider horrible treatment, he rarely changed belts.

Peter
 
G

glenpen

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Dalboy said:
Where are you buying replacements from. I have had to change mine once but that was because something came loose and it rubbed against it. Take the old one to a local belt supplier as you may find them a better quality that the original.

I also had to change the belt on my CL3 and got mine from a local supplier I brought 2 for about £10 I looked in the stile and bates book(they are the local agents for record) and the belt is £20+ each
Click to expand...

Hi Derek
I get the belts from Axminster I just wish I could get them from someone else but have not had much success.
Glen
 
Dalboy

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glenpen said:
Hi Derek
I get the belts from Axminster I just wish I could get them from someone else but have not had much success.
Glen
Click to expand...
I will have to look at my spare belt and see if there are any numbers on it
 
G

glenpen

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O no

Contacted Axminster about the problem for help and they say the lathe needs a service at aprox. £150. Not convinced, I think if that's the case I might as well put the money towards a different lathe. What lathe do you recommend for mainly turning pens.
Glen:pray::pray::pray::pray:
 
Dalboy

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glenpen said:
Contacted Axminster about the problem for help and they say the lathe needs a service at aprox. £150. Not convinced, I think if that's the case I might as well put the money towards a different lathe. What lathe do you recommend for mainly turning pens.
Glen:pray::pray::pray::pray:
Click to expand...

Blimey Glen that is nearly as much as I paid for mine brand new, Dam I forgot to look at the belt
 
Penpal

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When I have built machines I have had success with big store belts they use a measuring device to achieve the length measure the length yourself and mail order as Mark suggested. Wait for Dereks measurement of a new belt number of ribs etc.

Peter/
 
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