DPittman
Ultra Member
Oh yes, I I'd say most asian made lathes under 12" swing are belt driven. Precision Matthew's even have a 12" belt driven vfd lathe (that I'd love to have).
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Belt drive vs gear drive
- Thread starter DPittman
- Start date
If you are cutting threads with such a huge depth of cut that your belt slips you have other problems. Loading on the system for threading is actually very small.
Perhaps large diameter ACME threads but then usually not only does the spindle slip on the belts but the tool digs in and mucks up the thread which is why the spindle slipped in the first place.
Perhaps large diameter ACME threads but then usually not only does the spindle slip on the belts but the tool digs in and mucks up the thread which is why the spindle slipped in the first place.
The French Cazeneuve HB series (500, 575, & 725) of lathes have their spindles driven by 8 V-belts. The mechanical gearbox is in the base and a two speed motor/brake is driving them. They are considered one of the best tool room lathes out there. Large mechanical dials allow 10ths precision. The lathe is well capable to hold those types of tolerances. These lathes are super expensive.
Most top of the line toolrooms lathes are unfortunately yesterday's news. There are non-screw cutting lathes like Levin, Schaublin, Derbyshire etc but thats kind of a different kettle of fish. In the age of cnc, who's paying $125,000 US for manual lathe? (irrc what I heard the last new 10ee sold for) Apparently Monarch will still make you one, but I bet its a thin order book.
There are also 10ee and HLV clones being made which I gather are pretty decent.
I'd bet there others, European and Japanese say but I don't claim to know that market....and I'm not exactly in any market at those prices
; My exposure is almost entirely in what see in the local market so I'm not the best one give a good view of machines across the globe.
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Yup, this isn't about the lead screw. Just the spindle drive.
DPittman
Ultra Member
Ya but I don't see the difference between a belt from the motor to a gear vs a belt from the motor directly to the spindle? A belt can slip in either case...no?
Rauce
Ultra Member
You forgot the Hendey T&G! Haha
It’s belt driven unless it’s in back gear (<500rpm in original drive configuration). The gearbox for feeds can also be isolated from the spindle via belt drive to completely isolate the spindle from gear vibration.
Wow. What a gorgeous machine!
Just so I understand, this baby has a motor that drives a gear box that drive 8 belts that drive the spindle? Wow.
Yes, you got it.
Yes indeed, a lathe worhty of being on that list
Here's how its done on 10ee for example, which is a belt driven spindle. Power feeds and the leadscrew use the same quick change gearbox, but when feeding, that gearbox is driven from a belt from the spindle. When threading, i.e. power is directed to the leadscrew output, the gear box is geared to spindle.
Originally I would have said that a motor that slips at the input isn't a really big deal other than wear and heat. But with the beauty that @RobinHood posted, I gotta admit my whole outlook is changing. I'm learning and loving it! Too bad I can't afford to evaluate any of that. Think they would send me one to test?
Do you think they would like to sell it at hobby prices...... LOL!
Rauce
Ultra Member
Maybe? Depends on qualifies as hobby prices. It’s a place where I used to work.
The owner went through a phase of buying lots of machines and tooling at auction when he was starting out. Some stuff never even got plugged in and just takes up space in the shop.
The production manager that now handles day to day ops would like to see such things gone.
From my memory it looked in good shape. I think maybe it needed troubleshooting/repair with the drive system.
It would be something easily worth the work.
Dabbler
ersatz engineer
they look like very nice lathes!
TorontoBuilder
Ultra Member
I'm of the whatever type lathe you can get your hands on camp myself... I lack much sympathy for those who have to wrestle with such a choice... lolI may have known the full answer at one time but it is now escaping my little pea brain and therfore I must ask...
From what I understand and remember, the pros of a gearhead lathe over a belt driven one has been chalked up as:
No pulley changes as the gearbox usually deals with all speed changes
More positive drive (no belt to slip or break or wear out)
The pros to a belt driven lathe as I understand and remember are:
Belt drive lathes are cheaper to manufacture.
Belt drive can provide a nicer finish as there are not the vibrations/harmonics that can occur with a gearhead lathe.
The downside of a belt driven lathe as I see are the belt changes to get the speed and feed changes.
However doesn't a variable speed motor (DC or AC VFD) on a belt drive pretty much elimate %90 of belt changes while providing an on the go range of speeds in any combination?
But even with a gearhead lathe isn't the geardrive always driven by a belt from the motor anyhow? And if so, why would that offer any advantage?
I know I'm missing something otherwise I'd see not only small lathes being predominantly belt driven.
You missed one belt drive benefit.... they're usually slightly lighter for a given size so a little easier to move perhaps?
DPittman
Ultra Member
There you go....go get it and share the learning with us all
Former Member
Guest
Come on here, we are comparing old school belt drives and gear drives to modern gear drives with modern cuts and timing.
Old school unless done by skilled craftsmen on a perfect day, belt trumps gears, now a days most gears are cut on CNC for production and on bad day match those of craftsmen. Belt drive well haven't changed.
My first lathe was belt, good cut not noisy. My current lathe gear drive, not noisy, better cut.
Why, the gears for the feed are better......wait did I say gears in both yes.......
The important thing is gears don't slip, yes they can import vibration, but this can be addressed, they are all lathes that have power feed, like it or not.
Bash gears and you are bashing yourself in this arguement.
Old school unless done by skilled craftsmen on a perfect day, belt trumps gears, now a days most gears are cut on CNC for production and on bad day match those of craftsmen. Belt drive well haven't changed.
My first lathe was belt, good cut not noisy. My current lathe gear drive, not noisy, better cut.
Why, the gears for the feed are better......wait did I say gears in both yes.......
The important thing is gears don't slip, yes they can import vibration, but this can be addressed, they are all lathes that have power feed, like it or not.
Bash gears and you are bashing yourself in this arguement.