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