Biggest dork ever..link belt follow up

1/27/04, 10:06 PM #1

Mike Schwing from Maryland
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Biggest dork ever..link belt follow up

Mike Schwing from Maryland

>I'm only posting this humiliating experience to clear up any confusion. For those who may have read my previous exclamations about link belts on mechanically variable speed lathes, I am here to report that I was wrong.

Its almost hard to believe that I earned all of my spending cash as a teenager working as a certified BMW mechanic, yet it is true.

The lingering link belt issue has continued to mystify and irk me. Everyone else seems to have had success, yet there was NO way it would work on my Delta 1440. Undeterred, I returned to the issue this afternoon. Let me try again, I said. I picked up the dreaded link belt, and headed to the lathe with a screwdriver. This ain't gonna work, I told myself.

I removed the old belt, and put the link belt back on..wait a minute..nah...couldn't be..oh heck let's give it a try..could it possibly?

While I was trying my new idea all of these thoughts were milling around in my head..let's see, it might be that the, no, the arrow is pointing in the right diretion..could it be the..oh well, lets spin her up.....(as I backed away)

PERFECT! How could this be? How could it work so well this time? What was so different? Continue for the answer.....

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yup, the link belt was inside out. I'm so embarrassed. It arrived at my house curved and snapped together inside out, so thats the way I put it on. Didn't even give it another thought. Until about 5 minutes ago, that is.

But my lathe still sucks. I hate it more and more every time I spin it up. It vibrates just like with the other belt, its just more quiet.

Re: Biggest dork ever..link belt follow up

1/28/04, 12:51 AM #2

Kevin Kelly, West Va
Guest

Sure is nice to know

Kevin Kelly, West Va

>i'm not the only one who does stuff i'd just as soon no one else with a workshop ever found out about. Thanks for the good post and the good laugh.

Re: Biggest dork ever..link belt follow up

1/28/04, 3:22 AM #3

Keith Tompkins
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Re: Biggest dork ever..link belt follow up

Keith Tompkins

>Hey Mike, at least you figured it out! I think you're ready for a new machine....let us know what you get! ha ha ...Keith

Re: Biggest dork ever..link belt follow up

1/28/04, 3:51 AM #4

Jennifer@Indy.USA
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Re: Biggest dork ever..link belt follow up

Jennifer@Indy.USA

>Mike.....Well fist of all...I'm glad the link belt thing got figured out....secondly....hating your lathe is not healthy. Go out and shop around and find one that you LOVE!

You'll be much happier when you turn it on.

Jen : )

- - -

Hello Everybody! I figure I've been hanging around WoodCentral for a few years now so I might as well officially post a Bio. I'm Jennifer and I reside in the heart of the Midwest in Indianapolis. You'll usually find me hanging out on the turning side of WoodCentral, but I check the Main forum too. I started woodworking about 25 years ago mostly interested in flatwork; small furniture and other items to use around the home. Then I discovered the lathe and became obsessed with it. I've been turning for about 23 years now. My love and excitement for turning has taken me into the world of teaching and frequent demonstrating. Lots of experimenting with textures, color, burning over the past several years. I've recently begun dabbling in metal clay work and have started incorporating it in to my turnings too. It's another toolbox full of toys! When I'm not turning, I'm hanging out with the love of my life and most honest critic, my husband Clay. In order to keep the lathe spinning and the lights on I spend the other part of my day at an ABC television station directing the evening newscasts.

Re: Biggest dork ever..link belt follow up

1/28/04, 5:05 AM #5

Alan Tolchinsky
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Re: Biggest dork ever..link belt follow up

Alan Tolchinsky

>Mike, You sound just like me when I want a new car: The old car is too noisy, ride is too hard, don't like shifting anymore etc. You start finding anything and everything wrong with what you have. If you appreciate bimmers then you are the type person that really loves fine well engineered machines/tools. Am I right? I think this is all leading to a new lathe. :) Alan in Md.

Re: Biggest dork ever..link belt follow up

1/28/04, 7:10 AM #6

David Propst, King NC
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Re: Biggest dork ever..link belt follow up

David Propst, King NC

>Hey Mike,

Great story! My wife would enjoy telling you a story or three about me taht would top that one though.

Now make yourself feel better. Barbara Gill is selling her NOVA 3000. It is a fine lathe...

David

Re: Biggest dork ever..link belt follow up

1/28/04, 11:38 AM #7

Mike Schwing from Mars
Guest

Re: Biggest dork ever..link belt follow up

Mike Schwing from Mars

>Ah..there are so many fine lathes. I'll be in the research phase for a while before I buy. Additionally, its tax time so a refund may make a higher dollar lathe a possibility, but we're looking at buying a new (100 year old) house so I'd better keep some cash lying around. Truthfully, at the moment the only thing I have keeping me from buying that house is I'm not sure that my bandsaw will fit in the cellar. If it does, I'll make them an offer.

I thought my cabinet saw would be the most expensive tool I ever bought but that looks like a distant second compared to what one could pay for a lathe.

At the moment I'm moving in the direction of the Powermatic 4224 or Dominic's 1642 evs - with the 220 2hp motor. If I'm still turning like crazy in a few years - hobbies come and go with me to be honest, maybe one of those stubbys or VBs, but not right now.

Re: Biggest dork ever..link belt follow up

1/28/04, 1:32 PM #8

Richard Allen
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835 posts

Registered: 1/2/04

Return the lathe to Woodcraft

Richard Allen

>Hi Mike

Take the lathe back to Woodcraft. They have a one year guarantee on everything they sell. If you are unhappy with the lathe give it back to them. Your disapointment with that lathe is exactly why woodcraft has that guarantee. This isn't a secret guarantee. It is in print on their web site. Return the lathe and get something else. BTW Oneway and Powermatic lathes are also sold by Wodocraft.

The guarantee as copied from the Woodcraft web site:

"Our Guarantee

We're absolutely confident that you'll be satisfied with your purchase from Woodcraft! If you're not, return it anytime within a year and we will gladly replace the product, give you credit, or refund your money, whichever you prefer. Your satisfaction is guaranteed - we promise! "

You don't need to live through trying to make this lathe work for you.

Richard

- - -

I have been turning wood for about 12 years now. I consume about 20 hours a week in front of the lathe making primarly bowls and platters. I keep thinking about making other "stuff" on the lathe, and ocasionaly I even get beyond the thinking part. But I take the most pleasure in bowls and platters. I have most every tool availble for the lathe but I am always looking for a new tool. More than looking for a new tool I am looking for a new hunk of wood. While a corner woodworker (sometimes called flat woodworker) can never have enough clamps, I find most woodturners can never have enough turning stock. The woodturning club I belong to has a Christmas party each year and part of that party is a "grab bag". We bring in a turning, that is judged by the people who come to the party. The people who make the top three turnings get prizes (like sandpaper or a tool). The real prize though is the exchange of turnings that comes from this colection of turnings. Some of my most cherished turned objects are the ones I have recieved from these grab bags.

Re: Biggest dork ever..link belt follow up

1/28/04, 1:48 PM #9

Mike Schwing from Mars
Guest

Thanks Richard, that is what I've decided to do

Mike Schwing from Mars

>I haven't taken the action yet - quite a few more pressing things going on in life this past couple of weeks. Fixing up one house to sell so we can buy another one. I know I know, where are my priorities? I barely found the time to try out that link belt.

I've been emailing folks behind the scenes about their various lathes in anticipation of a new purchase decision.

Seems so insane to fix up a house just to sell it.

Funny thing how that review you asked me to write really presented it clearly in my mind that I was so disappointed with that particular lathe, I had the vague idea in my head but seeing it written down made it all so clear. Thanks to you for that!

Re: Biggest dork ever..link belt follow up

1/28/04, 2:23 PM #10

Mike Rubes
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Re: Biggest dork ever..link belt follow up

Mike Rubes

>Hi Mike,

I'm glad the link belt is finally working for you. I cannot comment on using the belt inside out as I am sure we have all had moments like that :)

I agree with the others about a new lathe. If you don't like yours, definitely shop around and find one you do like. There are a lot of great machines out there to choose from. It's really funny to me that you made the cabinet saw comparison because just the other day I was talking with my wife about how I thought one day I would buy a cabinet saw and that would be the most expensive tool in my shop. I now know that I will keep my contractor's saw for a long time and that a new lathe will cost several times more than it did!

I hope you guys didn't get hammered with the snow over the last 24 hours. It looks like MD might have been at the tail end of the storm.

Good luck with the lathe and house move, keep us updated about your lathe, I'm always curious to see what other people choose.

Mike

Finally out of the snow and back at work in Apex, NC!

Biggest dork ever..link belt follow up

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