12-04-2014, 08:59 AM
Hi,
Thanks Gary and thanks for asking. The lump in the lathe base is in fact the lathe's counter-shaft which provides driving belts the speed changes. The motor is mounted to the rear of the lathe just under the drip tray; one 1" wide flat belt runs from the motor to the counter-shaft then a second 1" wide flat belt runs from the counter-shaft to the lathe mandrel. The motor is fitted with a double pulley of different diameters (stepped) as is it's matching pulley on the counter-shaft which also is stepped. The second belt also has the two stepped pulley's one on the counter-shaft the other on the mandrel; these two pulleys though have three steps as seen in the previous pictures; this belt also runs over an idler pulley buried out of sight in the bed end directly below the mandrel; each belt can be moved to give speed change.
It's not easy to explain in text alone Gary so I'll post pictures shortly because I'm now working on the lathe drive; once the motor is installed then I'll sort out both the belts and when I reach this point I can explain more fully and add pictures.
When I first bought the Lorch and ran it under power it was very noisy indeed but I think I've now traced the noise to both the original motor bearings and the counter-shaft bearings all four bearings being worn out and running dry; I changed the motor bearings but unfortunately although it did quieten down the motor a great deal the motor has a "rumble" which I've not been able to eliminate so rather than waste lots of time I bought a new more powerful replacement motor as seen in the pictures; this motor "drums" a bit under power whilst sitting on the bench but when I lift it clear of the bench it runs very sweetly indeed as in keeping with a lathe of this quality. The counter-shaft bearings are now also new and the counter-shaft pulleys revolve as they did when new so my fingers are crossed the lathe will run very quietly once the restoration is completed; I also serviced the idler pulley making a top class job of it.
Further in the hope of a quiet lathe I intend to do away with the original metal belt clips (fasteners); I'm fussy and I don't really want to listen as these clips keep passing over five pulleys clicking each time; I know this sound is quaint and nostalgic even reminding me of my pit days but I hope I can improve on this; I'll try my best and give a full report in due course. I'm after a lathe which is quite in operation allowing me to fully concentrate on the work I'm turning without constant distractions; I've already achieved this with my full restoration of the Graduate woodturning lathe which is a dream to own and use.
It looks like today will be occupied by sorting out my all in one printer; our paper shredder and the can opener plus other small jobs which are ganging up on me?
One job I'm looking forward to is trying to sort out how to join the counter-shaft to mandrel flat drive belt on this Lorch; this belt has to be joined on the lathe whereas the motor to counter-shaft belt could be installed ready joined; I'll do my best though to avoid using metal clips.
Kind regards, Col.
Thanks Gary and thanks for asking. The lump in the lathe base is in fact the lathe's counter-shaft which provides driving belts the speed changes. The motor is mounted to the rear of the lathe just under the drip tray; one 1" wide flat belt runs from the motor to the counter-shaft then a second 1" wide flat belt runs from the counter-shaft to the lathe mandrel. The motor is fitted with a double pulley of different diameters (stepped) as is it's matching pulley on the counter-shaft which also is stepped. The second belt also has the two stepped pulley's one on the counter-shaft the other on the mandrel; these two pulleys though have three steps as seen in the previous pictures; this belt also runs over an idler pulley buried out of sight in the bed end directly below the mandrel; each belt can be moved to give speed change.
It's not easy to explain in text alone Gary so I'll post pictures shortly because I'm now working on the lathe drive; once the motor is installed then I'll sort out both the belts and when I reach this point I can explain more fully and add pictures.
When I first bought the Lorch and ran it under power it was very noisy indeed but I think I've now traced the noise to both the original motor bearings and the counter-shaft bearings all four bearings being worn out and running dry; I changed the motor bearings but unfortunately although it did quieten down the motor a great deal the motor has a "rumble" which I've not been able to eliminate so rather than waste lots of time I bought a new more powerful replacement motor as seen in the pictures; this motor "drums" a bit under power whilst sitting on the bench but when I lift it clear of the bench it runs very sweetly indeed as in keeping with a lathe of this quality. The counter-shaft bearings are now also new and the counter-shaft pulleys revolve as they did when new so my fingers are crossed the lathe will run very quietly once the restoration is completed; I also serviced the idler pulley making a top class job of it.
Further in the hope of a quiet lathe I intend to do away with the original metal belt clips (fasteners); I'm fussy and I don't really want to listen as these clips keep passing over five pulleys clicking each time; I know this sound is quaint and nostalgic even reminding me of my pit days but I hope I can improve on this; I'll try my best and give a full report in due course. I'm after a lathe which is quite in operation allowing me to fully concentrate on the work I'm turning without constant distractions; I've already achieved this with my full restoration of the Graduate woodturning lathe which is a dream to own and use.
It looks like today will be occupied by sorting out my all in one printer; our paper shredder and the can opener plus other small jobs which are ganging up on me?
One job I'm looking forward to is trying to sort out how to join the counter-shaft to mandrel flat drive belt on this Lorch; this belt has to be joined on the lathe whereas the motor to counter-shaft belt could be installed ready joined; I'll do my best though to avoid using metal clips.
Kind regards, Col.
Happiness is a wreck of a cabinet to restore.
