Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Jet mini belt
Barry in Richmond BC
>I was changing speeds on my jet mini (non VS) ysterday, and noticed a 'notch' on the inside (grooved) side of the belt. It looks like its worn (the lathe is less than 18 months old).
How do you replace the belt on the jet mini?
Do I have to pull the spindle? Not sure I want to do that...
Re: Jet mini belt
Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL
>Changing the belt DOES require removing the spindle, but take heart. Even if you replaced the bearings at the same time, it would not take you 25 minutes.
To replace the belt, 1) loosen the allen head screw in the inside pulley (access it through the back door, 2) loosen the allen head screw in the hand wheel (there might be two - can't remember), 3) screw the handwheel off the spindle, 4) slide the left hand side of the spindle into the headstock until you can remove the old belt, and then put on the new belt, 5) reverse the operation to button everything up. Know that the handwheel is the "Nut" that adjusts the play in the spindle, so tighten it up, but not too much.
Email if you have further questions.
Mark
Re: Jet mini belt
Barry
>Thanks Mark.
*any suggestions for a source for both the belt AND bearings?
Re: Jet mini belt
DWFII
>I'm not sure this will "come up to specs" for a lathe but I don't see any logical reason why not...have you ever considered "Powertwist?" It's spendier than standard "V" belt but it functions the same, comes in the standard two sizes and can be made to any size and...wait for it...because it's comprised of links, you can change a belt anywhere without having to remove spindles, wheels or what ever. What's more, I am of the opinion that it lasts longer than standard "V" belting. I have used Powertwist on a number of machines I use in my Trade (custom bootmaking) for years and years, and they run smooth, quiet and I've never had to replace one. If I did, it would probably amount to replacing several links and...back up and running.
I'd be interested in other peoples response...those that have tried it.
DWFII
Re: Jet mini belt
Mark Kauder
>The belt is fairly small on this one, and is not a v-belt, but a grooved belt.
Mark
Re: Jet mini belt *LINK*
Mark Kauder
>I bought the belt from Jet for about $15, but someone Fred L in NC bought belts from the source below.
The bearings are standard BB-6004VV and BB-6005VV, (1 each). If you get them from Jet or most bearing houses, they are about $15 each, but places like Bearingsdirect.com have them for half that. They are also standard bearings used in ATVs and I got mine from an ATV supply house, but have lost all information on where.
HOWEVER, It took 4 years of hard use before I had to replace mine, so if you don't have to, why spend the money.
I would order a new belt, and when the other breaks - replace it then.
Re: Jet mini belt
Danny Wells
>Barry,
Kaman Industrial Technology has a huge supply of industrial belts of various lenghts to choose from. They have offices all over the country. Gates makes what they call "Micro-V belts" which have the same ribs to match the grooves in the pulleys on the Jet Mini and Vicmarc mini lathes. Kaman has these belts. They are Product No. Series 9171, "J" Section of the Gates Catalog. The part number goes like this: 400J6 where
400 = 40.0 inches, effective length
J = Cross section
6 = Number of ribs
Get a J 6 belt of the appropriate length. Then cut the belt in half length ways yielding two 3-rib belts. Gates does not make a 3-rib belt in the "J" cross section series. You can buy these belts a lot cheaper from Kaman, and they usually have them in stock somewhere in their system.
Kaman has a web site that gives the location of their stores, but I don't remember the address.
Hope this helps,
Danny
Re: Jet mini belt *LINK*
FredL
>Lots cheaper than Jet!
J Belts for Mini
Corrected Link *LINK*
Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL
>
http://www.Aarubco.com
Re: Corrected Link
Daryl Biberdorf
>Do you have to call Aarubco to order? The online catalog says it has been offline for weeks now.