Clarke CL500M - Belt Sizes?

Last night I brought a Clarke CL500M lathe & Mill but unfortunately it didnt come with any drive belts.

The manual states that there should be 4 belts.

Clarke service department said they are out of stock but could order them in at a cost of £62.70

Does anyone know the correct size of belts that I need?

You could measure the belt length by wrapping some string round the pulleys, to give a close approximation.

Any good power transmission specialist in your area should be able to make up a set based on the measurements....

Hi Paul,

I can try and measure mine for you, i could either use a piece of string to measure the circumference or measure it straight length with tape and double up for the approximation. I'm not entirely sure what measurement is used for belts.

I also think it's 3 belts; 1 longer belt for the 3 higher speeds and 2 smaller ones for the lower speeds on the idler.

PS. (That is 3 for the lathe and 1 for the mill, i just realized sorry, mine is the cl430m, you will need to find someone else for you to get the cl500 mill measurement, unless it's the same as the other smaller ones)

I would be cautious using clarke service dept. I needed them before for 2 gears, to which they only sent me 1 and had to constantly call and check up on them for the next 6 months to get the remaining gear, they even denied that my order ever existed too, which i found a bit insulting. £62.70 is probably way over the odds for 3 rubberized mesh belts.

Since that occasion i've dropped the idea of using them like a hot stone. I'll do everything in my power to avoid relying on a third rate customer service dept.

Dont get me wrong, i really like clarke products but i can't say the same for the service dept, i think it's a case of giving the golden treatment to the big customers whose motors have broken down and giving the rough treatment to the guy who just wants a few bits and pieces. 

Michael W

Edited By Michael Walters on 22/09/2016 14:39:17

Michael,

You forgot the mill/drill belt. That is the fourth.

They 'A' size cross section, I think. Centre to centre and pulley size should get close to belt size.

I use ABC for nearly all my bearing and belt needs.

Edited By not done it yet on 22/09/2016 14:38:40

Thanks N.D.I.Y, I've adjusted my comment to reflect that when it dawned upon me.

Michael W

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the responses.

I have taken a punt on a ebay seller, I did some research online and compared it to the email I got from the Clarke service department. I think i have ordered the correct belts which should be with me on Saturday or Monday. If they are wrong then its only £15 down the drain, but at least i will have a better idea of what is right to order.

Ill keep you posted!

Cheers

Paul

The prices from Clarke are a bit extortionate.....

Having said that, I've just repaired and sold a Clarke compressor.....needed 4 reed valves, conrod/gudgeon pin/piston/gasket set cost me around £100 all in, but their carriage costs are dear!

However the service was great....the guy certainly knew his onions...

The prices from Clarke are a bit extortionate.....

Having said that, I've just repaired and sold a Clarke compressor.....needed 4 reed valves, conrod/gudgeon pin/piston/gasket set cost me around £100 all in, but their carriage costs are dear!

However the service was great....the guy certainly knew his onions...

Paul

FWIW.. I had one of those about 5 years back, sold it to fund toward my Warco kit. Good hefty machine but watch it when you're milling, keep the head down to it's lowest otherwise it will vibrate, when you move the head to use the lathe set up swing the head round to line up axially & lock it in place otherwise, again , you will get imbalance & vibration effects.

Mine came supplied with all the belts, ready to run, as yours stands ( I assume you've bought it new from MM ) it can't run now so you can't use it, so to quote an old cliché... 'not fit for purpose' Clarkes should be providing belts FOC & not charging you 'Silly money'. My Warco 250V-F came with belt fitted, ready to run 'straight out of the box' so to speak.I know you've bought belts off e-bay but I would still question Clarkes/MM as to why there were no belts supplied... they shouldn't be 'optional extras' ... the term 'profiteering' comes to mind

George.

The price quoted for the belts seems to be high, (or maybe I'm out of touch).

The manual , on line for the CL500M only quotes part nos, not belt details.

I would suggest buying from a local bearing/seal/belt stockist. (around here it is Anglia Bearing Company)

Brammer have branches all over UK.

With local suppliers you can be more certain of the quality than a cheap overseas source.

Don't forget to measure with the pulleys set for MINIMUM distance, so that there is space to allow adjustment for when the belt stretch.

If you already have belts that suit, keep a note of the belt details, for future reference, so that you can obtain them locally if you need them.

Possibly teaching granny etc, do ensure that the pulleys are in line. My Warco Economy Mill/Drill shredded the primary belt within 6 months, cos' the motor was misaligned. With the motor aligned, the replacement belt is still going strong after more than a dozen years!

Howard

As he bought it 'last night' my guess is it isn't brand new - you shouldn't jump in accusing people of 'profiteering' or selling gear 'not fit for purpose' on a hunch!

My mini-lathe from Machine Mart many years ago was a 'return' and it had a few bits missing from the box. Despite it being 'sold as seen' they sent me all the missing bits free of charge and very quickly.

Neil

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 22/09/2016 17:27:07

Yes you are right, this is a 2nd hand lathe, not direct from machine mart.

The missing belts were probably somewhere in the workshop, but it was dark in there and the owner has recently passed so i am told.

Peccatum meum, assumptions, assumptions duly admonished,

G.

Can anyone tell me what the 2 black round knobs are below the horizontal lead screw? They can be seen in the photo on this page https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cl500m-metal-lathemill-drill/ They pull out but i dont know what they are for.

Paul,

They are knurled black plastic caps for metal tubes that rest inside the body of the casting that you can pull out, there are another 2 on the opposite side as well to carry straps if you're going to use for a hoist to move the 160kg cumbersome machine around.

Michael W

Edited By Michael Walters on 22/09/2016 23:12:25

+1 Michael W for lifting straps/sling.

If you don't have a hoist you can remove the mill head by undoing the four SHCS & lift the head off to make it lighter, the mill is driven by the pair of bevel gears that are visible.

George.

Can anyone tell me if the pulleys are arranged correctly. It doesnt seem to match up to what is shown on the clarke manual.

http://imgur.com/tAriX5t

Without looking at mine tomorrow the middle one looks the wrong way round. As also stated the black knobs are for lifting.

I would look at the cable that goes into the gland, its very close to the spindle pulley.

Martin P

Edited By martin perman on 23/09/2016 21:54:09

yes I thought the middle was the wrong way around. I would appreciate if you can confirm tomorrow.

The cable is close, but there is still enough room to get a belt in and out.

Many thanks

Paul

That cable gland appears to be the wrong way round in the hole. The screw on cap where the cable enters should be on the outside.

And yes, the middle pulley looks the wrong way round. I don't have a Clarke, but the present way "is not logical Captain".