Missing Belt Tensioner Knob, SB Heavy 10, Repair?

Item C above on my Lathe is missing. (Note:Photo is upside down, don’t know why, it was upright from the source)



Then again, maybe it should look more like this (nuts instead of a Knob)?

The Flat Belt Tensioner Screw Knob? was broken off/missing from my South Bend 10L Lathe when I bought it 5 or so years ago.

As a field repair, someone cut a slot on the bottom of the threaded adjuster screw. This allows adjustment using a large screw driver, but is awkward/screwdriver slips off.

Adjustment is rarely needed, but I would still like to fix it, short of spending a lot on buying a replacement adjuster screw and Knob.

That said, any suggestions on a better fix?

Thought about making a replacement Knob and welding in an Acme thread nut (in ************************) and use a second Acme nut as a jamb-nut.

Another thought was to drill the end of the threaded adjuster screw, make a replacement Knob and secure it with a through-pin.

Quick/dirty:

Put two nuts on the bottom of the screw, locked to each other.
Use a socket on a ratchet to do the adjustment.

Thanks Jim. Yes, that was one of the options I have been considering.

DC