I need Help....Replacing Variable Speed Belt (Clausing 5911)

SK Custom Cues

SK Custom Cues

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Any of you out there know how to properly install the variable speed belt on a Clausing 12x36 Lathe? It is a model 5911 and it is not as easy as one might think. There is some partial disassembly of the motor, hydraulics, and pulley system. This is the one thing I was afraid of before I got this lathe, but the problem now presents itself, and I am not about to let this stop me from proceeding. Please help.

Thanks as always.....

Sung
 
I would contact Clausing's support number. From what I've heard, they are very good customer support.
Dave
 
I would use the segmented belts available at most any of the industrial supply places.

You can put it in place and then put it together so you don't have to disassemble anything.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#v-belts/=6ew2h1

They run smoother and quieter. I have them on just about all place where I have a belt.
 
I'm not sure that a segmented belt would work in this variable speed application. The width of the belt needs to be rigid enough to hold the spring-loaded sheaves apart, thus maintaining correct speed.

I'm not knowledgeable of this particular machine's method of attaining and holding a given speed but the concept is pretty universal.

Replacing a 1pc belt(s) on an engine lathe is not an easy task.
You need to disassemble the head-stock and the corresponding drive down below in the motor area to replace the belt. A service manual can be quite handy.
Fortunately, once done correctly you may not have to touch it again for another 10 yrs.
 
RBC said:
I would use the segmented belts available at most any of the industrial supply places.

You can put it in place and then put it together so you don't have to disassemble anything.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#v-belts/=6ew2h1

They run smoother and quieter. I have them on just about all place where I have a belt.
Click to expand...

+1 on this...........they should be plenty strong if not as strong or stronger as any standard belt. Will be much easier to change one also.
 
i have no idea what you should do!

I am a little pissed that the last two posts by RBC "who probably has twice the experience" are immediately followed by the same guy who disagrees with him. Just my opinion, but he probably knows what hes talking about and wouldnt risk his name by throwing out garbage info for the heck of it. just my 2 cents.
 
LGSM3 said:
i have no idea what you should do!

I am a little pissed that the last two posts by RBC "who probably has twice the experience" are immediately followed by the same guy who disagrees with him. Just my opinion, but he probably knows what hes talking about and wouldnt risk his name by throwing out garbage info for the heck of it. just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

I'm just curious but how does an adult conversation cause you to be pissed?
I find nothing disagreeable in my post other than offering a different point of view. I've worked in mechanics all my life, been a machinist since before I got out of high school (some 40 yrs ago) and studied Mechanical Engineering in college. I think I'm qualified to offer an opinion.

The offering of different opinions is what opens the door to debate. When I'm seeking information, I welcome as many different views as I can get. That makes me better informed to make a decision or in this case different views of the same problem.

This particular issue with the belt is not my problem but if I can offer some insight or an opinion that the OP may find helpful, I'm only happy to do so.
Sorry it wasn't your cup of tea.
 
SK Custom Cues said:
Any of you out there know how to properly install the variable speed belt on a Clausing 12x36 Lathe? It is a model 5911 and it is not as easy as one might think. There is some partial disassembly of the motor, hydraulics, and pulley system. This is the one thing I was afraid of before I got this lathe, but the problem now presents itself, and I am not about to let this stop me from proceeding. Please help.

Thanks as always.....

Sung
Click to expand...

Is it something like this
http://www.lathes.co.uk/bantam/page3.html
You would be surprised what you may be able to do yourself. Just make sure you study it well before you begin. I also think if it is like this one you can't use a segmented belt.
 
macguy said:
Is it something like this
http://www.lathes.co.uk/bantam/page3.html
You would be surprised what you may be able to do yourself. Just make sure you study it well before you begin. I also think if it is like this one you can't use a segmented belt.
Click to expand...

I agree. Truthfully, it looks like a specialty belt. If that is the design it looks like a fairly simple job changing also. Looks like two cir-clips and pins or a locknut and remove the adjusting shaft. Also looks like KJ was correct.

Dick
 
rhncue said:
I agree. Truthfully, it looks like a specialty belt. If that is the design it looks like a fairly simple job changing also. Looks like two cir-clips and pins or a locknut and remove the adjusting shaft. Also looks like KJ was correct.

Dick
Click to expand...

I read over on Practical Machinist that this guy was having the same problem, and some other guys were recommending the same thing as Royce. I don't know if it will work either, (I have one on my Delta Table Saw) and I think the width of the belt has some kind of action with the upper spring loaded pulley, and the lower hydraulic pulley. So all in all, what KJ said had a great deal of validity. Thank you KJ... BTW, that belt looks exactly like the one pictured......

I had to take the motor off, as well as the upper pulley and had to manually pull the spring compressed plate to squeeze the belt in between the pulley plates. I got the belt installed, but I don't know if I did it correctly, as the variable speed works, but there doesn't seem to be enough hydraulic pressure for the lower speed. I think I need to bleed the lines or something to that effect.

Also, I do believe the pulleys need to be lined up perfectly, or close to perfect in order to minimize wear on the belt. If anyone has any comments on this it would be welcome.

My buddy came over today and helped me figure all this out and we got it on, and it runs way smoother than it did before, but the reassembly is questionable, and also I am not getting the full range of speed I had before.

A point in the right direction would help me feel more comfortable about running the lathe.

It's always somethin'! isn't it?? Thank you to everyone for the helpful comments..... I feel so indebted to the ATCM section....
 
No offense LG but I guess you haven't been hanging around long enuff to know that KJ is about the last person that would jump into a thread and disagree with someone for the sake of being a devils advocate.
You'll find that when KJ and Dick answer a question, that its always sound advice, tried and true from years of experience.
I wouldn't have said anything except I didn't feel KJ should have to feel the need to defend himself with his credentials to anyone thats just been a member for a few months.
 
SK Custom Cues said:
I read over on Practical Machinist that this guy was having the same problem, and some other guys were recommending the same thing as Royce. I don't know if it will work either, (I have one on my Delta Table Saw) and I think the width of the belt has some kind of action with the upper spring loaded pulley, and the lower hydraulic pulley. So all in all, what KJ said had a great deal of validity. Thank you KJ... BTW, that belt looks exactly like the one pictured......

I had to take the motor off, as well as the upper pulley and had to manually pull the spring compressed plate to squeeze the belt in between the pulley plates. I got the belt installed, but I don't know if I did it correctly, as the variable speed works, but there doesn't seem to be enough hydraulic pressure for the lower speed. I think I need to bleed the lines or something to that effect.

Also, I do believe the pulleys need to be lined up perfectly, or close to perfect in order to minimize wear on the belt. If anyone has any comments on this it would be welcome.

My buddy came over today and helped me figure all this out and we got it on, and it runs way smoother than it did before, but the reassembly is questionable, and also I am not getting the full range of speed I had before.

A point in the right direction would help me feel more comfortable about running the lathe.

It's always somethin'! isn't it?? Thank you to everyone for the helpful comments..... I feel so indebted to the ATCM section....
Click to expand...

Hi SK. It wasn't clear from your post if you ended up using a replacement belt of the same design as the original or a link belt.
 
iusedtoberich said:
Hi SK. It wasn't clear from your post if you ended up using a replacement belt of the same design as the original or a link belt.
Click to expand...

Original...... 1930V400

The width of the belt is necessary to fit into the upper, spring loaded pulley. Also, the bottom pulley is hydraulic and the outer plate releases and compresses.

Now that I think of it, when the belt broke, the bottom pulley snapped closed and the hydraulics quit working. If there was a link belt that same width, I don't think I would use it still, because of a gut feeling in how the whole thing works altogether. I had a car repairman look at it yesterday, and he said he thinks the machine was made in '45. Being how it is over 50 years old, it still purrs nicely..... at first, I was a bit frustrated, but during the reassembly, I noticed how everything was constructed with a great deal of simplicity and anyone with common sense would be able to look, study, and figure out how to make it work.

I love this good ol' made-in-the-USA machine... and the more problems run into, the more I love it....... ironic, I know, but I suppose u guys know what I mean.....
 
LGSM3 said:
i have no idea what you should do!

I am a little pissed that the last two posts by RBC "who probably has twice the experience" are immediately followed by the same guy who disagrees with him. Just my opinion, but he probably knows what hes talking about and wouldnt risk his name by throwing out garbage info for the heck of it. just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

Lets look at this, shall we...."the last two posts by RBC "who probably has twice the experience" are immediately followed by the same guy who disagrees with him."
RBC only posted once, and so did KJ, so your incorrect there right off the bat. Also, lack of punctuation takes a few more points off:D
Both have valid opinions to offer, both have a lot of experience, and both gave their opinion, in the spirit of trying to help. I believe Royce's would work, if the width was the same., I don't know if it was. KJ brought up a valid concern. Both have been here for a long while and have proved themselves over and over. You on the other hand have not, and come out with the post you did, and as I pointed out already, cannot even get the facts straight from a 5 post thread......Some advice my grandfather used to say often, Sometimes it's better to look like an a#$ then to open one's mouth and prove it. My words may seem harsh, but so were yours.
Just my .2 cents,
Dave
 
SK Custom Cues said:
I love this good ol' made-in-the-USA machine... and the more problems run into, the more I love it....... ironic, I know, but I suppose u guys know what I mean.....
Click to expand...

I love good old fashioned, honest, US engineering.
The more I study things like old US military hardware and good old American iron machinery makes you appreciate the thought and science behind it's fabrication...as a natural born engineer it kinda' brings a tear to your eye when something is as simple, or at least well planned out, as it should be. Miss that sometimes....


Glad to hear your fix was straight forward and un-eventfull.

Regards,
Frank
 
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