Mini Lathe Belt Drive Improvement. Add a ball bearing idler.

[jjr2001]

After changing out the 500 watt brushless motor for a "real motor" (3 phase 1HP) the little
timing belt decided to start slipping again. ( I had this problem even with the 500 watt original motor).

I was running some knurls and it refused to stay engaged so I thought about that and saw plenty of space
on the motor mount to add a double ball bearing idler. Simply used a 1/4-20 bolt and a couple of washers as seen on the outside.
The bearings came out of my "spare parts" box and had a 1/4" bore and 3/4 od.

This mod will work even if the original 500 watt motor is installed as the idler is mounted on the original
motor mount plate.

Worked great. Put on the knurling tool and went to town. Finished 6 steel knobs 1/2" diameter and no slipping even
with a ton of pressure on the knurling tool.

Cheers, JR

[rossbotics]

Knurling is very forceful, it will let you know where your weak point in the machine is, good job

Doug

[jjr2001]

Thanks Doug.

Cheers, JR

[PJs]

A little cornfused, I thought you had switched to the new carbon fiber v belts already? Are you using a bump knurler on the mini??

PJ

[jjr2001]

Hi PJ, I have not yet made the pulleys for the new belts and have a small supply of original belts on hand so I just set up
with them to continue my current project. When I remove this spindle for the new project I will then be able to make some
new pulleys for the new system.

I even changed the new belts to 3VX type. They are capable of far more horsepower (especially at low rpm) than the 3L section
belts of any material they are made from. The 3VX really are the way to go for this lathe. I think it was Olderdan that mentioned poly-v-belts would
work well here and I think they would but I only have about 5/8" max width for the lathe spindle belt.

We will give it a try with the 3VX style and see how that works out.

Cheers, JR

[DIYer]

Thanks jjr2001! We've added your Lathe Belt Drive Modification to our Lathe Accessories category,
as well as to your builder page: jjr2001's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Lathe Belt Drive Modification by jjr2001

tags: lathe, bearing, belt drive