Link belt on Myford

[The Merry MillerParticipant @themerrymiller]

Morning all,

I recently fitted a genuine Fenner link belt from the motor to the countershaft on my ML-7R.

This part of the drive is Z section profile. Never had any problems with it.

Bear in mind that the drive pulleys between the countershaft and lathe spindle are A section profile and not Z section profile!!!. (on my machine anyway, 1984 model.)

These belts are obtainable from **LINK** and are about half the price of **LINK**.

To end, my gut feeling would be to put a normal vee belt on the lathe spindle pulleys.

It does take a while for the link belts to settle down as you may imagine and you may then have to remove another link.

Len. P.

[AndyfParticipant @andyf]

Thanks, John and Dias. The reason I asked is that Googling "Redthane" didn't show up anywhere I could order it over the net; engineering suppliers are a bit thin on the ground around here. The Chronos belting looks like a clone; the description of the 3/8" diameter says it is clear coloured, rather than red, but two metres won't cost much so I'll give it a try. .

Andy

PS RS Components also sell it, but only up to 8mm. They say their heater belt joining device is an "essential accessory", but at over £400 (nearer £500 if VAT isn't included), I think I'll give it a miss!

[The Merry MillerParticipant @themerrymiller]

Incidentally, there is a Youtube video showing how to install Fenner link belts, just google youtube fenner belts or something!!

Also on this **LINK** you will find written instructions (eventually).

Len. P.

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

I've now ordered a Z section Powertwist belt from RS. For the record, the big-bore Myford has a Z section pulley on the C/S to spindle drive, whereas the older Myfords had A section. This is obviously why the belt from RDG is no good, it's too big for the pulleys. You would think they might be aware of this now they own Myford wouldn't you?

[Richard ParsonsParticipant @richardparsons61721]

 

I used an old length of ‘T’ Link belting on my Super-7 it worked well till a 'Gnome' from ‘Elfinsafety’ inspected my workroom in the back of my second garage. The Gnome cut the thing and took it away. He did so he said there was no electric interlock on the Myford’s belt covers so if I opened them with the motor running I might hurt myself.

Oh local 'Elfinsafety' were involved because I would not rent my garages to the City Council for the asylum seekers cars which littered the streets. Well my car was in one of them and my workroom was in the other. Yes i called the place a 'Gentleman's hobby workroom'. That did not stop the beggers. As a 'legal Eagle' said "i will go for them and win if you have £5,000-£10,000 to throw away".

The belt came from my late father’s stock and was old ‘A’ type and was a rusty red in colour and dated from the late 60’s

Rdgs

Dick

Edited By Richard Parsons on 12/07/2012 17:49:37

[brickyParticipant @bricky]

John.

I would recommend that you remove the spindle and fit the proper belt.Since having this fitted I have had no problems.The link belt that I fitted was a Z profile and like you it rode on top of the pulley with hardly any side engagement .The removal of the spindle is not difficult and if you follw the instructions you will be fine.Tip from Darren the fitter when tightening the the C ring at the rear of the pulley give a sharp tap with the hammer on the C spanner.

Francis

[The Merry MillerParticipant @themerrymiller]

Bricky,

Are you absolutely sure you were not fitting an A section belt to a Z section pulley, it sounds like it to me?

Incidentally the direction of rotation of the belt (in the absence of any arrows) is shown on the link below from the Fenner website.

**LINK**

Len. P.

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

OK, so yesterday I ordered a Z-section Powertwist belt from RS Components, it arrived on my desk this morning, just fitted it and tried it out on the piece of 1.5" MS bar that was defeating me before and there was no problem whatever. I parted it off running at lowest open speed (210 rpm) with auto feed applied at about 5 mm/min by the CNC, no sign of slipping or anything other untoward. Back up and rnning again.

The lesson is that for the newer Myford 7s you need to buy the Z section belt for the c/shaft to mandrell drive, not the A section which the older lathes used. Glad to say that RDG have offered to refund the cost of the unsuitable belt and hopefully will update their website.

John.

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

I use the Chronos clear belting on my lathe with a 1/3 HP motor. On my home made, quite small, aluminium pulleys it works fine as long as it is under reasonable tension and the pulleys are kept clean. No problems with the joint failing.

Neil

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