bench top metal lathes

[f4 plt]

I currently have a "Made in China" bench top lathe labeled "Lathemaster" (8x 14) I have had it almost ten years and it has served me well. I have always run it at the speed it was factory set up for. This past weekend a belt broke, my fault as I had set a tool slightly low and it gouged and stopped the rotation. I opened the gear box door to change the belt and ws not happy with what I found. The system has two belts, a normal drive belt and a toothed fiber one which had come apart. I had a spare and started to change the belt. Over an hour later I got the new one on and it being ten years old immediately shredded. While doing this I also noticed how hard it was not only to change the belt but too change the speed.

Don't know if the lathe is even built any more, Ill call the vender today, so I have been looking for a replacement .

Essential elements MUST be ease of changing speeds, at least a 1 hp motor and would really like to get one that all my accessories still work on. My tailstock uses a MT 2 taper

One that almost works is a Bolton CQ9332 with the exception of a tailstock MT3 spindle. It does have front panel levers for gear/speed changes but is most likely made in China

So what are you using and how do you feel about the brushless DC adjustable speed motors.

I use the lathe for small projects normally in Alum or brass sometimes plastic. Nothing exotic

Thanks

 

[larry_g]

I would suggest you take the belt to a power transmission or bearing supply house and have them match you up. Toothed belts come in a few different profiles. Or search out a gates or tb woods catalog online and see if you can match the tooth profile yourself.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[HanShotFirst]

No idea what you actually use a lathe for, but my two Atlas bench top lathes (10x42) have served me quite well. Both were made in the 1940's, they are multi-speed/multi-pulley for a wide range in speeds**

Contrary to internet experts, Atlas lathes hold up very well and the fact that they're still everywhere ought to tell you so. The TF42 I have comes with a quick change gear box, has back gears and is a quality lathe.

Southbend made a competing lathe, and you can find them as well. They're typically a bit more expensive, but quality is higher.

**A great setup is to find an old treadmill and grab the variable power motor and adapt it to your lathe. Treadmills can be had often free, the motors have a LOT of torque, and infinite adjustment. It's a slick setup.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

You can buy Arbor adapters from mt3 to mt2 and any other combo. Good ones are accurate.

 

[dr_clyde]

Budget would be helpful...

If it was me, I'd much prefer a South Bend to pretty much any import, but they cost a few bucks for one in good shape. I can't remember, but I'm pretty sure my SB heavy 10 has a #2 MT.

You can probably just get a new belt for the lathe you have. As Larry mentioned, a power transmission shop can point you in the right direction.

 

[f4 plt]

I would suggest you take the belt to a power transmission or bearing supply house and have them match you up. Toothed belts come in a few different profiles. Or search out a gates or tb woods catalog online and see if you can match the tooth profile yourself.

lg
no neat sig line

Good suggestion but I have no belt, as it disintegrated . I’m going to measure the length and try and replace it with a standard rubber drive belt .... hopefully

 

[Aaron_W]

I would assume based on the 8x14 that your Lathemaster is the Sieg 8x14 lathe sold under a variety of brand names including Harbor Freight. You shouldn't have any issue getting parts if you decide to fix it. A new replacement can be had for $600-800 depending on vendor.



What size chuck do you currently use? I think that is probably a more useful starting point as I notice most who have a nominal 8 or 9" lathe only run a 3 or 4" chuck, and rarely larger than 6".

If you only have a 3" chuck then you might even consider a Sherline. Small 3.5x8 or 3.5x14 but very well made here in the US.

There are a large number of lathes available in the 6-12" range, with beds upwards of 36". Choice of new or used, but your options for American made are pretty much limited to older used equipment that often requires some work. Budget can be as low as $1000 to $4,000-6,000 depending on specifics.

 

[royesses]

Try:
http://www.littlemachineshop.com/default.php

for the belts. They specialize in bench top, mini,micro lathes and mills. Friendly people to talk with.

Roy

 

[f4 plt]

Thanks to everyone that offered suggestions. I was finally able to get ahold of the person whose business I purchased my lathe from. He had to close his business several years ago. I asked him about where I might be able to get a cogged belt for my lathe and he said he was unable to find one and had a friend convert his Lathemaster 8X 14 lathe to a variable;e speed DC motor. Cost for everything needed is around 5-7 hundred dollars and significant re-wiring. So it appears I have a dead horse right now. Looking at either the Baileigh Industries or Bolton lathe. One is DC variable speed and the other gear lever speed change arrangement. Anyone want to offer other ideas

 

[racingtadpole]

Post some pictures of your gearbox and your machine. It’s most likely that spares are available under a different manufacture. Chances are someone here has had a similar issue with a similar machine and can point you in the direction of parts.
Alternatively swap the pulleys out for readily available profiles that can be obtained locally.
It’s not that hard to convert a machine to either PWM control DC motor or VFD controlled AC but if you just need it to turn to make chips fixing the belt drive issue is the simpler option.

Edit
So a few minutes on google shows the tooth belt for a lathe master 9x30 is the same as the one used in a grizzly. Grizzly sell 8x16 units, going to suggest based on the image searches of both the grizzly and the lathemaster that they badge engineered and almost certainly have the same belts.

 

[cvairwerks]

Check the comments section below this video....

 

[royesses]

See the following thread on hobby machinist forum. Has photo's and parts to use to replace the belt.
https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/my-hf-8x14-mini-lathe-mods.11048/
Excerpt from the thread:The belt on mine was a O-720
So I used a
Fenner Power Twist belt. Stock belt is 3/8" wide so I used size 3L

The Harbor freight machine is supposed to be the same as yours. It shows part#1520 Synchronized Tooth Belt 1 M1.5xZ118
You can order that from Harbor Freight.
You can download the manual for it on their web site.

Roy

 

[f4 plt]

Check the comments section below this video....

The yellowish belt they show in the lower left f the video is the one I need . Wish the video had shown inserting the belts as it is not easy there is no way to release the tension on the sprockets that the yellowish toothed belt goes on to ease installation and likewise the black "V" belt is equally hard to install as you cannot release the tension on the bully arrangement.

 

[f4 plt]

See the following thread on hobby machinist forum. Has photo's and parts to use to replace the belt.
https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/my-hf-8x14-mini-lathe-mods.11048/
Excerpt from the thread:The belt on mine was a O-720
So I used a
Fenner Power Twist belt. Stock belt is 3/8" wide so I used size 3L

The Harbor freight machine is supposed to be the same as yours. It shows part#1520 Synchronized Tooth Belt 1 M1.5xZ118
You can order that from Harbor Freight.
You can download the manual for it on their web site.

Roy

Roy

Thank you. I did go to the Harbor Freight website and typed in that part number the response was no match to that part number

 

[f4 plt]

Post some pictures of your gearbox and your machine. It’s most likely that spares are available under a different manufacture. Chances are someone here has had a similar issue with a similar machine and can point you in the direction of parts.
Alternatively swap the pulleys out for readily available profiles that can be obtained locally.
It’s not that hard to convert a machine to either PWM control DC motor or VFD controlled AC but if you just need it to turn to make chips fixing the belt drive issue is the simpler option.

Edit
So a few minutes on google shows the tooth belt for a lathe master 9x30 is the same as the one used in a grizzly. Grizzly sell 8x16 units, going to suggest based on the image searches of both the grizzly and the lathemaster that they badge engineered and almost certainly have the same belts.

Thanks for your help, however the Grizzly 8x16 lathe is a variable speed DC motor lathe and does not use the same belt arrangement. I will admit the bully arrangement in their picture is close but the belts are different.

I'm still looking and my next move is to a local machine and bearing company and I may change out the sprocketed bully so I can use a more readily available belt.

A goose chase I really don't need to be on.

Again thank to you and everyone else that is trying to help

Jack

 

[rannoch]

Is it this belt:
https://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=2811&category

 

[mikegt4]

I have had a 9x20 China lathe for about 20 years that I used until I bought a German tool room lathe (Weiler Matador). The 9x20 actually worked fairly well within it's capabilities and the original narrow belt lasted until last year. I found that MRO Supply had the best price for the 5m710 belt. They probably have replacement belts for a 8x 14.

https://www.mrosupply.com/v-belts/183651_5m710_gates-rubber/

 

[royesses]

Roy

Thank you. I did go to the Harbor Freight website and typed in that part number the response was no match to that part number

You must call the harbor freight support people to get the parts. They don't list parts online. They are usually very easy people to talk with and very helpful.

Roy

 

[royesses]

Here is the belt available in stock at little machine shop $16.15-some of the best people you will find anywhere:
https://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=2811&category=1963256915

 

[f4 plt]

Is it this belt:
https://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=2811&category

BINGO I think we have a winner, I will call them this morning and check the length Thank you

 

[KenS]

The belt is the same as the one of the Harbor Freight 8x12 lathe.

Part No. 1520 Synchronized Tooth Belt M1.5XZ118

You can also order them from ebay:

8x12 Lathe belt...

They go for about $15 plus shipping.

 

[f4 plt]

The belt is the same as the one of the Harbor Freight 8x12 lathe.

Part No. 1520 Synchronized Tooth Belt M1.5XZ118

You can also order them from ebay:

8x12 Lathe belt...

They go for about $15 plus shipping.

Thank you, I have gone to their website and typed in the part number ( in fact to be accurate I copied what you typed above) and come up all sorts of sanding belts. I have even spoken to a rep from Grizzly with no luck. I'm hopeful as stated before that the one coming from The Little Machine Shop will work

 

[f4 plt]

For anyone interested I found a belt through The Little Machine Shop
for my Lathemaster 8x14 lathe. It’s part number is 2811 timing belt

$16.15 at The Little Machine Shop plus they are great people to work with