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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2007
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    Default Should I change this Belt ?

    What do you think of these jointed belts ? It came on my Hercus . I was using it yesterday and it was slipping a bit , there is some oil on my pulleys that got there somehow . I wiped off what I could and continued working . I tightened it up further but didn't want to go to hard because I thought I may break it at the joints . I really didn't want a break halfway through the job!
    Is it the sort of thing that those with more metal turning experience would change out straight away on your Hercus ? Because the more normal later V belt is a lot better ? Will the normal one allow the lathe to be used a bit harder ? I was machining the face and edge of a 100mm diameter 5mm thick piece of Brass on a face plate that was glued to some 19mm plywood. I had the belt slipping as the job stopped a few times, until I backed of to the level that allowed constant cutting .

    Edit , Forgot the pic

    Rob
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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
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    Default

    I have no exact numbers but I do find the link belts i have can not transmit the power that a normal vee belt can, I think in my case because the material is very hard. They have some major advantages though, like not having to pull the whole spindle out to change them. I would leave it but very thoroughly clean everything.

  3. #3
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Perth
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    Default

    After cleaning it I would use some belt grip spray on it.
    eg CRC Belt Grip - 400g - Supercheap Auto

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
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    Default

    Rob, They are usually fitted to avoid having to disassemble the head stock and trying to accurately realign it all again in reassembly.
    They are quite expensive compared to VEE belts in my experience.
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    Mackay North Qld
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    Default

    Hi,
    I am with BobL on this one. Clean and use belt stick. When you look at them, they have not got the cross-sectional surface area that a normal vee belt has. I would nip it up until it doesn't slip.

    Grahame

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2007
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    Default

    Thanks guys .
    Another thing with it is because of the studs poking out a bit the belt is a pain to get onto the largest pulley on the lower right side. Ill check it again to see if its even possible . I forget atm . I just used the lathe for this latest job after a big break from it and only moved it into the new shed this week . I may take it off and soak it in something to get the oil out of it . Its saturated with oil . It must be from me being to generous with the oil a year back I think .

    Rob

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
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    Greenmount, W.A.
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    272

    Default

    Linked belts are wonderful! They slip if the tool gets stuck in the job, or the piece moves in the chuck and jams. Better than something (usually expensive) breaking.
    Alan.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2007
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    Sth Gippsland Vic
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    Default

    Thanks Alan. I’m glad I asked here about it . Still haven’t done anything about washing it yet but I’ll be trying to look after it instead of replacing . Rob

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    Mackay North Qld
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    Default

    The words of a long passed uncle keep ringing in my ears. It was motorcars mainly, he schooled me on, but it applies to anything.

    "if it can go wrong, it will go wrong" and the "severity of a part failure is always proportional to how badly it is needed"

    They knew a thing or two, those old fellers.
    Grahame

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2007
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    Default

    Well with that I went and took it of de greased and wire brushed the pulleys . Wire Brush on the angle grinder. Did the rusty Chuck as well. Then soaked and scrubbed the belt first in water with metho ammonia and windscreen washing fluid , then soaked and scrubbed in mineral turps . Dried it as best I could and soaked it in Metho , scrubbed and dried . It’s gripping now !! Quite a big difference.

    Bottom pulley in first picture before cleaning


    Hmmm . Just comparing to the picture up the top of the post , I have put the belt on the opposite way . Does that matter with these belts ?
    Here it is next to the cleaned belt

    Rob
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  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
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    York, North Yorkshire UK
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    Default

    Hi Rob,

    I don't think it makes a lot of difference which way round the belt is used. They are sometimes found on machinery that reverses direction. But I agree that they are very expensive compared to normal "V" belts.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    May 2007
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    Sth Gippsland Vic
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    Default

    Thanks BaronJ.
    Ive never seen any for sale or had to buy them . Interesting though , Knowing this I would probably grab them if I ever saw old ones on a wrecked machine . Pretty handy how you could just shorten it to suit what ever you needed it for .
    I do have another machine, a large wood copying / shaping machine with much longer belts of the same type. Ill be taking care with them as well .
    Rob

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
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    Default

    Interesting discussion. I'd be happy to try it on my Hercus, especially to avoid taking the spindle out, but a quick search of the internet didn't throw up any local suppliers. Does anyone on the forum know where to source the correct cross section spec belt from, preferably a local supplier?
    Cheers, Tony

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Melbourne
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    229

    Default

    Hi Tony
    l bought a Fenner Power Twist belt from CBC bearings in Airport West. Enough to do 2 lathes cost about $140!
    l am happy with the belts, they run smoother than the old v belts that were fitted, and are quiet.
    Cheers
    Pete

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