Fact or Fiction Lathe 101

[Hopefuldave]

(10-15-2016, 02:08 PM)TomG Wrote: Fiction, fiction, as covered above, fact.

Belt drive lathes do produce a better surface finish because a belt dampens the inherent noise that gears produce. It comes at a price though, belt drive lathes can't generate the torque that a geared head lathe can.

Tom

Although, some run multiple belts (mine runs 5...) and even those run on a pulley separate from the spindle, on its own bearings... Add an 8:1 backgear (helical, to reduce noise, vibration and "gear marks") and it has all the torque I'll ever need :)

The step from single-phase to 3-phase motors makes a big difference in surface finish too, a bit like the smoothness of a 6-cylinder Vs. a Hardly-Rideable V-twin!

Dave H. (the other one)