Yet another belt replacement question regarding Craftsman drill press 101 & 103

[craiger]

Hello! First time poster! I am just getting into vintage machinery for my home shop.

Let me first apologize if I am being too **** about a stupid belt! I just want to make sure I purchase the correct replacement. I recently purchased the following two vintage Craftsman drill presses:

101.03581
103.0303 "Mohawk"

I did several searches on this awesome board on belt sizes for these two DP's, however, most replies were either to measure the belt or take it to a shop/store and get the same size. I have a few concerns about this....

1. How do I know that the previous owner had the correct belt on there?
2. Don't these belts stretch and/or shrink with age?
3. I don't want to purchase a belt too loose that squeals like a piglet
4. I don't want to purchase a belt that's too tight and may cause undue stress on the bearings/shaft

I do understand that different manufactures have different part numbers for their belt. I think the consensus was to purchase a cogged belt.

I guess what I am really looking for is for someone that has one of these DP's and knows which belt (brand and size) to use. I really appreciate the assistance and sorry for the long question.

I am also looking to restore both motors with original style on/off switches. Any leads would be great!!

 

[csp]

If you're worried about belt stretch, buy one locally and take it back if it's not the right size.

If it's still too loose with the motor spaced as far as it can be from the spindle pulley get a smaller one. If it's too tight with the motor as close as it can be to the spindle pulley get a larger one. It's not as much brain damage as you're making it out to be. You could also measure around your pulley instead of using the old belt as a guide.

 

[RTM]

Buddy uses a piece of cord to measure a belt, something fat enough to not get buried in the V groove of the pulley.

Or just use string, and assume its your ID, then a big flat piece of tape, or a strap, or a pants belt for OD. Oughta get you close.

 

[Cruzan80]

Craig, I can look and get the size off the Mohawk I have. There is no OEM solution for an On/Off switch, unless the motor you are using happens to have one mounted on the base of the motor. Some of the Atlas made (101 series) drill presses had a hole in the side of the head casting to mount a switch, not sure which ones.

However, I agree with the idea of mounting the motor about midway back (the motor mounting rods should be about half-extended), and then measure with a piece of string or other length. The thickness of the V-slots lets you know what kind of belt (4L comes to mind, 3L is .375" across the top, 4L is .500").

 

[Jayman17]

I have the same Long C dp as you and plan on restoring mine but haven’t started yet.
Good luck.

Jay

 

[craiger]

If you're worried about belt stretch, buy one locally and take it back if it's not the right size.

If it's still too loose with the motor spaced as far as it can be from the spindle pulley get a smaller one. If it's too tight with the motor as close as it can be to the spindle pulley get a larger one. It's not as much brain damage as you're making it out to be. You could also measure around your pulley instead of using the old belt as a guide.

Thanks! I totally forgot that I could adjust the tension of the belt by moving the motor!!

 

[craiger]

Craig, I can look and get the size off the Mohawk I have. There is no OEM solution for an On/Off switch, unless the motor you are using happens to have one mounted on the base of the motor. Some of the Atlas made (101 series) drill presses had a hole in the side of the head casting to mount a switch, not sure which ones.

Thank you. Are you referring to the hole for the switch that I have in the bottom of my 3rd picture above? It appears to have the original switch mounted to the case of the motor. My mohawk is the same way..

However, I agree with the idea of mounting the motor about midway back (the motor mounting rods should be about half-extended), and then measure with a piece of string or other length. The thickne.

Thank you

 

[Cruzan80]

the switch at the bottom (3rd pic) is the only option for the Mohawk (staying period correct). Some Atlas heads had a hole about halfway from the handle hub to the pole, in the head, which had a spot for a switch

 

[FrankLee]

Here's a link to pictures of an oe switch for those early motors.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/franklee2009/2UZE32

The toggle and housing are bakelite. The switch is attached to that small plate on the motor base with 4-48 screws. You're not likely to find new replacements to fit.

In the past, I've fabricated new plates with a round hole for the common modern toggle switches. Iirc, when I removed that plate and drive screws, I drilled and tapped for 6-32 screws for the newly fab'd plate.

The oe switch in the link above works. I can part with it, if you're interested.


Similar Dunlap motors:

https://www.flickr.com/gp/franklee2009/Muc91V

https://www.flickr.com/gp/franklee2009/Y3hnb3

 

[craiger]

Here's a link to pictures of an oe switch for those early motors.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/franklee2009/2UZE32

That's it!!

The toggle and housing are bakelite. The switch is attached to that small plate on the motor base with 4-48 screws. You're not likely to find new replacements to fit.

In the past, I've fabricated new plates with a round hole for the common modern toggle switches. Irrc, when I removed that plate and drive screws, I drilled and tapped for 6-32 screws for the newly fab'd plate.

The oe switch in the link above works. I can part with it, if you're interested.

I am definitely interested. I will contact you.....

Similar Dunlap motors:

https://www.flickr.com/gp/franklee2009/Muc91V

https://www.flickr.com/gp/franklee2009/Y3hnb3

Here are some pics of my "Mohawk". You can tell that I am a newbie, as I thought the belt cover was stock. Whomever cut it out, did a great job as it looks factory. You will also notice that the on/off switch is there, however the little cover is missing. Now for a search for an original belt cover (please pardon the mess in the shed!)

 

[craiger]

Here’s what I found

4L410