On a lathe, given all else is equal, which is better and why, a gear head lathe or one that is belt driven?
Gear head or belt drive
- Thread starter socalplayer
- Start date
Belt driven lathes are more quiet and have less vibration.
Gear driven ones have more torque.
It's easier to change speeds on gear driven lathes compared to triple-pulley belt lathes.
Gear driven ones have more torque.
It's easier to change speeds on gear driven lathes compared to triple-pulley belt lathes.
I can't say which is better, I have not used a gear head. I bought a belt drive. Belt drive is usually a little cheaper also.
The range of speeds on a gear head might be a little larger. Changing speeds for me is sometimes a pain as I end up laying stuff on top of the hood. You get your hands dirty a little changing speeds on a belt drive.
Buy both and report back your preference.
Kelly
The range of speeds on a gear head might be a little larger. Changing speeds for me is sometimes a pain as I end up laying stuff on top of the hood. You get your hands dirty a little changing speeds on a belt drive.
Buy both and report back your preference.
Kelly
I have both
Yeah the belt drive is quieter, and a pain to engage the back gear to slow things down. I use the belt driven for rough wood cutting like rounds and such but for all around versatile use the gear drive is my choice. Way more torque with a gear drive. And so convenient. Yeah I like to use the top of my headstock box for handy shelf storage too and when you need to change speed with the belt drive it is a pain to move things. BUT they both do a good job, they are not the limiting factors in the quality of work produced, the operator is.
Yeah the belt drive is quieter, and a pain to engage the back gear to slow things down. I use the belt driven for rough wood cutting like rounds and such but for all around versatile use the gear drive is my choice. Way more torque with a gear drive. And so convenient. Yeah I like to use the top of my headstock box for handy shelf storage too and when you need to change speed with the belt drive it is a pain to move things. BUT they both do a good job, they are not the limiting factors in the quality of work produced, the operator is.
Question on Torque
If my choice is a 14"X40" lathe with a 3 Hp rating and considering the relatively light weight material being turned would torque be a higher consideration than vibration?
It sounds like a belt drive is capable of a better cut even with the speed change problems. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
If my choice is a 14"X40" lathe with a 3 Hp rating and considering the relatively light weight material being turned would torque be a higher consideration than vibration?
It sounds like a belt drive is capable of a better cut even with the speed change problems. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
There are two types of gear drive lathes. Those that are in the head stock and run dry and those that run in a gear case in a oil bath. The latter is a much quieter and a smoother running lathe but they are also much more expensive. I don't often change speeds through changing belt ratios as I have VFDs on my larger lathes but before this I made changing belt ratios very easy by constructing a wood box the approximate size of the top of my head stock resting on the top cover. I then put one bolt through one corner of the box and through the cover of the rear gear train. This now permits me to pivot the box out of the way so as to open the lid for belt ratio changes. Only takes like maybe 10 seconds or so to complete speed changes.
I just went and snagged a couple of pictures. Although the lathe is a mess you can still see what I'm talking about.
Dick
I just went and snagged a couple of pictures. Although the lathe is a mess you can still see what I'm talking about.
Dick
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Ya, I've always been impressed the creations that Dick has shared with us :thumbup2:
What I want to know is who first thought to add an automotive manual transmission to an ancient lathe for easy speed changes ... I've seen many over the years searching for cheap machinery.
Don't gear driven lathes sometimes leave patterns in your turnings ?
Dave <-- has only belt driven lathes and is not a cuemaker or a cuebuilder
Anybody know of a good DC motor ( 3/4 HP ) so I can maybe convert to variable speed dc motor?
Can't help you there but I can't praise the VFDs enough. You can get them on e-bay very economically and although they need a 3-phase motor those can be picked up for a song, especially used ones as commercial places don't want to buy any used electrical equipment. Single ph 220 is all that is needed and about everyone should have easy access to that.
Dick