Chester 920 cross slide & Backlash

My thanks John

I've dropped them an email so should hear from them on Monday.

Hello John

The Gates belts 5m x 730 or 720 have gone up in price, I have not seen them at £7.00 but I use to pay £13 for them now they are £16. I looked up my last purchase from Bearing shop UK on the well known auction site, I have snapped quite a few belts in the past but have fitted a inverter on the lathe and this has reduced the sudden motor surge. Ive had my 9x20 about six years , its accurate after a bit adjustment, so quite happy with it.

Bob

Yep I have a Gates 5M730 Polyflex belt fitted to my 920 (Warco 918) I also got the belt from Bearing Shop UK and their current price is £19 including VAT and it is a genuine Gates belt.

Like Bob I have not seen the belt as cheap as John mentioned so he found a real bargain there.

Make sure you check the alignment and set up of the spring loaded idler/tensioner boss when you fit the new belt, I do know it can cause belt failures after time if not adjusted correctly.

Ron

I was wondering about the tensioner as it failed to kick out.

I have ordered 1 belt from the Bearing shop and will see what the other place comes up with on Monday.

I use the lathe in one capacity or another most days. Bit lost without it as I had the morning's work planned out. Settled on restoration woodwork instead.

The belt was posted yesterday and arrived today - that from the Bearing shop.

Tried Beeline Engineering and that came to about £20 plus their £9 postage !!!!!!!!!!!

Parts from Grizzly arrived with my mate in the US yesterday (ordered last Friday) and in the post to me today.

Might get here by the weekend if Customs don't hang on to them.

Good to have the belt though, at lease I can turn a few little things now.

I emailed Bearing shop and they told me that they can't get any 5m 730 belts till at least April 2022. Looks like you have to pay the high postage and buy a few from America . Looking at the belt a quick fix if it works is to cut a inch and Gorilla glue it on the split upside-down, the glue is in the grooves with the inch of belt on top.

Bob

Parts arrived from the US and fitted.

My friend posted them but they didn't leave the US till the 6th.

No Customs hassle either. That can take weeks.

The old screw looked pretty good but the nut was nackered and slopping about.

Best go give it all a go. A pleasure not to be delayed.

Thank you all for the really good information provided.