Boxford Lathe Belt

The old segmented drive belt between spindle and drive shaft on my BOXFORD lathe is on its way out and its time to look for a new one.

The old belt was the rivet type of segmented A section belt, which is a sod to prise the segments over the rivet when shortening etc.

Anyone tried NUT link belts where the segments are held together with a screw and a nut, or the 'T' linked belt where you twist the 'T' rivet to dismantle etc.

BobH

Bob--I've used the link v belting "A" section from RDG on my lathe and a shaper I am building, can be got in various sizes eg 10 or 12 mm, my adcock mill has the link type that has a metal rivet connection, no problem so far can be bought in 1 metre lengths, no stripping of headstocks as needed with continuous belts and usually spare links are left so in event of breakage easy to restore, can make the fingers ache a bit twisting the t bits together,

Regards Mick H

Hi Bob,

I changed to link belting a few months ago on my mill and lathe (Boxford). I used Powertwist from Chronos - I'm happy with it. Quieter and got rid of a vibration on both machines.

The belting is much easier to work with inside out - then once joined turn it "right side out". This is actually the advice from the manufacturer.

Thanks,

Mike.

Bob,  I find the best segmented belt is the Fenner "Power Twist", it has no metal parts, the links have an arrow head at one end, and a triangular hole at the other. My lathe has 1.5 hp, and B section belts, the primary belt (from motor to counter shaft) is Power Twist, it's been there since 1990. I'v been using NU-T-Loc belt on the spindle, it only lasted from 2009, although it is easier to work with than the old Brammer belt with the round head rivits.

Mike, thanks for the tip about assembling the belt inside out.

Ian S C

Edited By Ian S C on 18/11/2014 11:13:10

I use the genuine Fenner stuff as well (with the t rivets) and it is excellent stuff. I always link it up off the sheave and then hop it over the flange when it is joined as per the instructions from Fenner.

Mark

I have the Brammer belt at the moment and after 15 years, the 'rivets' are starting to wear. I see that the 'Power Twist' on a 12 mm 'A' section may not be man enough to transmit the required power. So its either NUT link or 'T' link for me. Thanks for the information.

BobH