Saving space by raising drive assembly?

SteveM · May 19, 2015

Panabax's thread got me to thinking.

Is it possible to reduce the front-to-rear installation dimension on a 9" SB benchtop lathe by raising up the entire motor / countershaft assembly?

Not trying to run the belt up and down, but I figure that if I raise it, it will swing on an arc that will move it in somewhat.

Is it also possible to shorten the belt?

In either case, it seems that the belt contact arc will be the same.

Steve

maynah · May 19, 2015

Sounds like a silent chain drive.

Dobermann · May 20, 2015

No reason that couldn't work IF you can provide the same rigidity as the more traditional bench mourning. Belt tension of the flat drive belt is pretty high so you must provide structure to react those forces. A side issue is that you'd be raising the center of gravity to some extent making it easier to tip over the lathe if it's not fastened down.

SteveM · May 20, 2015

The lathe and drive will be mounted to a bench with metal legs and a thick maple top. Not worried about it tipping, but, yes, I will have to make the riser blocks strong enough to resist the whole motor assembly bending forward.

Steve

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