Draper GD16/16c pillar drill drive belts

I've just got my first pillar drill it's a used draper GD16/16C, i've spent the afternoon cleaning the rust of the table, base and pole and general clean to remove all the crud.

I opened up the top to inspect the belts and have a go at changing the speeds, when i released the tension of the motor, the motor belt can be removed of the motor pulley, i can't remove the belt of intermediate pulley to the spindle pulley its stuck solid, it looks as if its twisted as it enters the spindle pulley.

Is the intermediate pulley locked in place that it as to be released some how as i can't move it.

Both belts say 23 on them in yellow, is the front spindle belt the wrong size, i've downloaded the manual from drapers site, but it does not give belts sizes.

I tested the drill to see if ran before i got it but won't run it further in case i damage it, there are also belt fibre particles in the belt box aswell, i hope i didn't get a lemom.

I should imagine it's seized in its socket ,the idea is that rocks to the correct place when the second belt is fitted. By the look of the machine mod no it is a 16 speed machine which is why the centre jockey pulley needs to float to accommodate several belt arrangements.

As well as the knobs that release the motor tension, it looks like there's a handle that locks the belt tension on the R/H side..

You should be able to find a pdf manual online..

Edited By DiogenesII on 27/08/2023 08:12:47

Hi Jon, these machines are pretty much the same who's ever badge is on them. The central pulley, as said, should swivel between the two others, and is probably rusted into its socket, as there is not normally any grub screws or the like holding it.

Regards Nick.

Thanks, it was rusted, i've managed to free it and sprayed with penetrating fluid, now moves between the two other pulleys.

The two belts measure 24", when i set the speed so the belts are on the outer edges of the pulleys i get about 1 inch of play that can't be taken up by tensioning the motor, when the belts are in the middle of pulleys it's not too bad. I'm guessing one of the belts is too big and i need a 23" belt, i downlaoded the draper manual but does not have belt sizes listed, i'll try find somewhere that sells 23" belts.

Even if it does not list the size, does it show the belts as one part number or two separate part numbers?

If it is a single part number, the belts will be identical.

It as two stock numbers listed 50284 and 50325  and description v belt, both belts on the drill measure the same and have mountain 23 in yellow on them.

Edited By jon man on 27/08/2023 10:11:29

Looks like your drill uses two different length belts - 23" and 24". Suitable replacements seem to be available here, from Solent Tools as well as numerous other outlets. Alternatively, if you have a local belt stockist, you could take your existing ones along and get them to match you up a pair of the correct lengths.

John

Hi Jon man,

Your drill will be much the same as about 40 others, just a different name and colour.

It is 16 speed using two belts, in my case both the same length. If that does,nt work, just change one. Belts are cheap. As others said, the middle spindle rotates free, I,d say it,s just stuck with rust or muck.

I picked up a similar drill some time ago and am "restoring" bit by bit, no mad rush, since I already have two drills plus my mill. They are a good machine for most workshop use and can handle up to 1" drills easy enough.

Dont be surprised if the table has more holes than a net, some people never know when to stop drilling or when to put a piece of wood under the job . It,s true ! I may have to sheet the table on my one, it,s that bad.

I've ordered new belts, a 23 & 24 inch, the table came up really nice, started with razor blade followed with wire brush in a cordless drill then finished off with 1000 grit wet and dry covered in wd40, it's better than i was expecting. The new belts will probably show up  back end of next week after the bank holiday.

Edited By jon man on 27/08/2023 16:56:57

The new belts arrived today, thay were only posted yesterday first day back after the bank holiday, so very quick delivery, i used simplybearings, a 23" & 24" v belt fit perfect.

I had to lower the pulley on the motor as it had been raised as high as it could go by who ever tried to mcgyver it to work with 2 x 24" belts, you could see that the new belt when set as per drapers speed settings the motor belt was rubbing that's probably why there was belt fibres in the case, now up and working as it should be.

On the the side of the belt box it says grease the spindle, what type of grease should be used, i have a multi-purpose lithium based grease and cv lith-moly grease will either of these be ok, i've googled what grease to use and it says use wd40, i know that's not correct.