Craftsman Lathe

[Striker]

The drive belt on my Craftsman lathe ate itself last night. Sears wants 38.00 to ship me a new one.( of course it isn't covered under warranty). Does anmyone here use a craftsman lathe and has had this problem. I am trying to find the belt cheaper. the belt is a Gates 207-3M-20. Gates doesn't list it on their website.

Jeff

[Radar67]

Go down to the local NAPA or auto parts dealer and see if they can cross reference it.

Stew

[Furby]

Is it a standard 1/2" V belt?
Try the local farm center, TSC and the like.
I just cut the belt, measure it and get the next smallest size down, never bought one for a lathe though.

[Striker]

The belt is called a synchronous belt. The belt is also called a timing belt.  It has teeth and runs on sprockets. Think of a supercharger belt in minature. 3mm pitch, 20 mm wide, 207mm long.

Jeff

[Furby]

Ah, ok.

[beenthere]

Striker
Am wonderin why the lathe would have a synchronous belt. ??? Is the drive motor a stepping motor, or something similar? Sounds like there isn't supposed to be any slip, like the timing belt you mentioned. Can you enlighten us --er at least me  ;D

[Striker]

Not sure what a stepping motor is.
This belt is driven by the motor. It drives  a variable speed sheave.
I read a product review of the lathe on Sear's website over the weekend. Seems that the drive belt is a weak point in an otherwise good tool.

Jeff

[jbeat]

Striker, WW Grainger sells that type of belt. I bet you'll find that Sears price isn't all that bad.

[BBTom]

Mark, did you check with BDI in Mansfield.  I get most of my bearings and belts there.  I think they are on Oxford, close to 4th and Trimble.

[Striker]

I got the lathe up and running again. The belt is a proprietary belt from Sears. I called Motion Industries, the local Gates distributer, and spoke to someone there that actually knows what they are doing!  I got two belts that are 9mm wide to replace one 20mm belt for $13.65. Time will tell if it is a  better deal.

Jeff