Broken Drive Belt Questions

[Vaughn McMillan]

Midway through roughing out a bowl this evening, the drive belt on my Craftsman lathe broke. Two questions:

Anyone know of a less expensive source for the replacement drive belt (not the bigger Reeves drive belt) than Sears? They want about $27.00 plus tax and shipping for a dinky little belt.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to get the belt back on once I get a new one? I can start randomly disassembling things until I get it done, but I'm hoping someone has been through the process and can give me some tips.

Thanks in advance.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Nope Vaughn. You can try Palmgren at 800-621-6145. It is Sears or Palmgren are the only two that carry them. Sorry.

[Randy Meijer]

I suspect that changing the belt will be a PIA. Fortunately, they don't break very often unless there is a problem with your Reeves drive.

You should be able to buy that belt at any good supplier as long as you know the size. An Internet search should provide you with many belt suppliers who can help you. I found one when I was looking for a replacement for my JET. Cost was about half of what Jet wanted.

I'll see if I still have the contact information. Randy

BTW, someone is sure to suggest using a link belt as a replacement. Don't!! The link belts will not last very long with a reeves drive.

[Randy Meijer]

Try these guys:

http://www.mibelting.com

[Tyler Howell]

Will a linked belt work? Still the same money but smoother operation IMHO>

[Raymond Overman]

Will a linked belt work? Still the same money but smoother operation IMHO>

It will be more expensive than the $27 but after replacing my drive belt with the link belt I was really surprised at how much difference it made in the vibration. I think it's well worth it.

[Steve Hayes]

I thought you couldn't use a link belt on a Reeves drive.

[Frank Fusco]

Will a linked belt work? Still the same money but smoother operation IMHO>

I looked into this possibility for my Grizzly with Reeves drive. Answer is NO. Link belts are not satisfactory for Reeves. I'm told, by someone who was in the business, that drive belts used for industrial air conditioners are the best and toughest there is. Not sure where to shop for them but I'll make a concerted effort to find out one day.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Vaughn you are talking about the small belt that drives the unit right off the motor aren't you? I haven't been able to find any that will even come close. I did find a number off the old belt I have and it says, "Gates 207-3M-20.

[Randy Meijer]

.....BTW, someone is sure to suggest using a link belt as a replacement. Don't!! The link belts will not last very long with a reeves drive.

I told ya so!!(I talked to the folks that make the link belts and they strongly discourage its use with a reeves drive.)


Go to the Gates web site and use the locator function to find a retailer close to you. If they don't stock that belt, surely they can order it for you.

www.gates.com
.

[Vaughn McMillan]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I did a bit of checking into the MI Belting site and the Gates site, and long story short, I bit the bullet and ordered a new belt from Sears online. I'm sure I could save some money going directly to a Gates distributor, but they aren't open at the times when I'm able to go shopping. (Say...3:30 AM...I don't have much of either one, but currently I have more money than time.)

As has been mentioned, I don't think a link belt would work in this application. This is the small, toothed belt (like a timing belt) that connects the motor shaft to the Reeves drive. I'd guess the teeth in the belt need to match the teeth in the wheels it's sitting in, so I don't think a link belt could fit the bill.

Looks like it's still gonna take major mechanical surgery to get the new belt installed. I guess I'll find out when the belt gets here.

Thanks again.

[Christopher K. Hartley]

Vaughn, I bought some for my 1442VSK from the manufacturer on the internet. Big mistake! The belts were about $4.00 ea and I had to pay $20.00 for shipping. I then found a hardware store that carries all types of machine belts and sure'nuff, they had the same belt at $5.00 ea. but it beats the shipping costs.

[Vaughn McMillan]

Vaughn, I bought some for my 1442VSK from the manufacturer on the internet. Big mistake! The belts were about $4.00 ea and I had to pay $20.00 for shipping. I then found a hardware store that carries all types of machine belts and sure'nuff, they had the same belt at $5.00 ea. but it beats the shipping costs.

In the case of the Sears Parts website, they are asking about $27 for the belt, with another $12 or so for shipping ($9.99 for a < 1 oz package) and tax.

Due to lack of time to shop locally, I went ahead and ordered one from Sears at their highway robbery price. Now that I have some leads on other sources, I plan to buy another as a spare, and hopefully pay a more reasonable price.

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions.

[CORY FETZER]

did you ever think of trying find a belt at a small appliance repair store washing machines and dryers sweepers use all kind of dift size belts

[Tyler Howell]

What's a Reeves Drive