Mini Mill: Installing the LittleMachineShop Belt Drive Conversion

[@jimpalmer1969]

I've had the Harbour Freight version of this mill for nearly 20 years. I had this kit on it for about the last 15 years. To mi\ake it as quiet as possible remove the gears from the head stock counter shaft. It still is a noisy beast.

[@pbc1951]

2 years later: at 15:17 I did not see you put the spring back in? Yes, I did get my HF Mill about 1.9 years ago, and the first day I used it, my mill head dropped a smidge and broke the gears, got the belt kit ordered and it has been fine ever since. I really like the mini mill for what I do.

[@Cabmaker]

I turned the locking bar on my lathe to fit through the pulley works great

[@GuyMarsdenMakesStuff]

Great job! I had installed this on my harbor freight mini mill years ago and I've been hearing this weird rattling sound. All that time it wasn't until I saw your video that I realized that I had left the high/low gear lever in the wrong place and I needed to move it to that mid position as you demonstrated. Now my machine is even quieter! Thanks for showing me that. also, I had no problem inserting the locking bar, but I don't remember whether I drilled out the aluminum mounting plate or not.

[@tonycstech]

I have a 3d printable design on my channel. No need to remove the spindle nut, pulley goes right over it. Thinking to make some changes now that I've seen the installation process. Thanks.

[@Mr19assassin74]

Then what holds the pulley down?

[@bloop6812]

Great video but the background music was overriding your explanation of what you were doing. Lose the music please! Other wise a good tutorial.

[@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391]

10:03 I wonder if a tiny alloy plug (in between the grub screw and thread) would protect the threads.

[@craig2963]

You can buy a set screw with a brass tip, or you can put a plastic ball in before the screw to save the threads. I have used both in the past with great success. If it almost never comes apart I would use the brass tipped set screw. If it needs to come apart more often, than the plastic ball is better.

[@KingZeusCLE]

Promise we've already solved this issue about 80 years back.. Grind/file a flat on the threads where the set screw contacts. Done.

[@Mosfet510]

That did make a noticeable difference.

[@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391]

At work we have a little drill press ( it's a wonder it's still going strong after 35 years considering the use it's had) that has a spring to put on belt tension, with a lock to keep it tensioned, however I always just use the spring (un-locked) as a bit of slip can be useful if a drill grabs.

[@jimminnick5989]

I Just Ordered One Of These Kits Today, Thanks For Sharing.

[@Mikesmeyer88]

I got a mini mill. I figure I'll be spending most of my time cleaning it and making sure everything is good to go. Because I suppose that's better than it having a bad bearing or something silly. I think that's where most people find issues with these, they just plug them in as soon as they get it. Hopefully the Eastwood is decent.

[@KingZeusCLE]

I believe the LittleMachineShop models were the only ones that got upgraded bearings & that's one thing keeping it clean isn't going to help with. Luckily, the tapered roller bearing set is only about $50 or if you run a higher max RPM you can find quality, sealed angular contact bearings for about $100. Either option makes a big difference over the stock skateboard style bearings in terms of rigidity. Watch as many tutorials as you can, but it's not hard & well worth the hour or so that you'll put in.

[@rickguyevans]

Great video: and timely too, as I would like to perform the same upgrade to my X2. I am going to order the metal gear set as well, being the mill is 4 years old. You did a great job at explaining things. I like the mill except for the noise...this will help things out quite a bit. Cheers and greetings from Canada

[@tomt9543]

I put those metal gears in my Grizzly G0765 mini lathe, and I regret it because it made the thing A LOT noisier! If I ever have the headstock off of it again, I’ll take the metal gears out and put the plastic back! I did some stupid heavy cuts with it when I first got it without breaking anything! Then I did an epic fail when learning how to part off, and killed the plastic gears! I have used the Grizzly for a year now and feel like I’ve learned what not to do, and think the plastic would be safe now! Just remember that these things aren’t Bridgeport’s or Monarchs! They’re mini machines!

[@DistantVision85]

Wouldn't the belt-drive make it pointless to even have gears??? I was going to gut them out of mine and just go with the belt-drive. You see in the movie that the mounting hardware interferes with the shift lever, so it is maintained in a neutral position. If I ever blow up my gears, then id just get a belt-drive.

[@donwoodward2615]

Belt drive is the way to go. I did my mini mill too

[@e.nichols5380]

cant you just use a crescent on top to hold it while you tighten with the spanner?

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

The top is the drawbar that you have to tighten/loosen. You have to be able to hold the spindle in place while you rotate the drawbar. For now I just use a 1/4" allen wrench as it fits into the slot of the new upper plate.

[@e.nichols5380]

@@YoshimoshiGarage Ahh I see, thanks for the reply. Great videos!

[@thecolliman7674]

The hex at the top is for putting a socket or wrench while tightening the locking ring

[@gvet47]

That is the draw bar so you might get it too tight, use the locking pin as it is designed to hold the spindle.

[@MrSteppingstone888]

You did a awesome job on the video & the work you had to deal with. I have a grizzly on the way it took several weeks watching & comparing price and power for my best decision on which to buy ! LMS just wanted to much for shipping so I went with grizzly with a 3/4HP motor I felt it was best deal for the money as well as available parts/ thanks again for that video

[@damnimcooltom1]

I'm glad to see a "don't overtighten" warning in this one.

[@bloop6812]

A thread file would have taken care of threads being rough cut. Being tool steel just a little work goes a long ways

[@ChristopherJones16]

I watched another video of a guy installing this and he read the instructions in the video.. you were supposed to remove both keys. Did you not get instructions with your kit?

[@pbc1951]

do you lose the 2 speed when putting in this belt drive? and or what RPM do you end up with? Great video... thinking about getting my first mill for some small projects coming up soon.

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

It no longer has the low/high in the gear box, bit the pillows are 2-groove so you still have a high and low

[@KingZeusCLE]

Using drive belt. 0-1700rpm low 0-4300rpm high

[@johnpiettro4644]

Hello - why are there 2 grooves on the spindle pulley? Can you install that larger pulley upside down for a different RPM range? I understand it's not supposed to be constantly switched up side down so how do you chose the preferred way to install the spindle pulley?

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

You can move the belt up and down for higher or lower speed range

[@colinrose7948]

The metal grub screw that locks the nut to the mill spindle would be better made of brass or nylon, so it doesn't damage the mill spindle thread.

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

It definitely would, but I guess that fraction of a penny that would have cost to do it right was too much. :(

[@KingZeusCLE]

Promise we've already solved this issue about 80 years back.. Grind/file a flat on the threads where the set screw contacts. Done.

[@Pushyhog]

mine is still weak, dont know l think it needs teeth pulleys and teeth belt.

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

Is it slipping? Mine is still weak, but the belt doesn't slip so teeth would make no difference

[@phillipsvanderwesthuizen800]

You left the key in the shaft of the gear you removed, it probably would be ok but it might come adrift and snag something.

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

Good catch! Now I need to take it back apart and remove it before it flies out of there.

[@flabiturbo1]

Hi! How are you? can you tell me the radius of the pulleys? both the big one and the small one too.

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

It's a bit difficult to measure while assembled, but the pullies on the motor are roughly 2-inch and 1-inch diameter. The corresponding pullies on the quill are roughly 2.5-inch and 3.25-inch diameter

[@flabiturbo1]

@@YoshimoshiGarage Thanks friend for your help. I'm going to try to make them in 3d and then make them in aluminum on my lathe. last consultation. Can you tell me the thickness of the belt so I can get an idea of ​​the thickness of the pulleys. Thanks a lot! for your help

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

@@flabiturbo1 The belt part number is 2L130. It's 1/4" wide and 13" overall length.

[@keith7001]

What is the purpose of the black round knob on front of the aluminum base plate apx 90 degrees from where you insert the rod to lock the shaft from spinning

[@JamesS.254]

It appears to just be a knob for holding onto the cover plate.

[@stargatefred]

Does this fit the G 0704 mill

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

Probably not. The G0704 is a lot bigger than an X2. Here's the compatibility list. littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=2560&category=2122081963

[@kamukami7418]

I have one model osaki mmd250.. Is that ? same spec if i use seig belt kit on my osaki mmd250 mini mill.....and where tu buy that belting kit?? I from malaysia

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

Yes, it is the same (X2) mill. Not sure if LittleMachineShop ships international.

[@kennykash6089]

At 4 minutes, he did no justice to how hard that gear is to pry off the motor shaft.

[@swflscratcher5893]

Great video… just a suggestion, next time maybe put what you’re showing us in the camera frame

[@alansmith5255]

Great video. Do you have a link for the belt drive conversion kit?

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

I added it to the description

[@alansmith5255]

@@YoshimoshiGarage Thank you

[@mpix00]

I have the upgraded belt drive. I have noticed starting yesterday that my spindle is making a high pitch sound . It goes on and off at times. Is that due to the bearings needing changed or do they just need some bearing grease rubbed into the bearings?

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

Definitely sounds like bearings.

[@mpix00]

@@YoshimoshiGarage OK I'm going to try and pack some grease in them and see if that solves the problem, as I just went back and turned on my machine with no load and they are running quiet again. I machine very soft, chalk like materials.

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

It reminds me that I have a set of new bearings that I really should put in and make a video for.

[@mpix00]

@@YoshimoshiGarage I actually also have a new set of bearings, so def make that video lol, then I will know how to. I'm hoping the new grease I rub in works. We shall see

[@mpix00]

@@YoshimoshiGarage I took it apart and cleaned it out and found some of my chalk like material inside the spindle making that high pitch sound. Though I still feel the bearings will need to be replaced soonish;)

[@6Sally5]

Good video. You basically exemplified nearly every experience I have when substituting any after market item on any piece of equipment! BTW…the background music is loud, irritating and unnecessary.

[@keith7001]

Ah!! forget it. I see what it does. It locks the protective cover down. Next Question, now that you have been using it for awhile what is your impression of it ?

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

Like all tools, you wish you had just a little more. Primarily I'd like a little more power in the motor, and I regularly seem to hit the travel limits, but for the price and the space I have I'm happy with it. I'll be adding DROs and an X axis feed in the near future.

[@china_airguns]

@@YoshimoshiGarage You can buy a motor for the SIG with more power even a brushless one and it is not expensive + the machine becomes more silent.

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

@@china_airguns Good call! It's definitely on my list to do, though I'll probably fab a power feed from a wiper motor I have and install a DRO first.

[@anthonymarino4260]

great review. thanks

[@bloop6812]

My best friend gifted me his mini mill which he had already done the belt conversion. Then he passed away last year before he could teach me the ins and outs of using a mini mill. Can anyone refer me to a Manual or videos that shows a new by how to get this up and running. I'd really like to do this in his Honor. Also does anyone make a cover for the mini mills. I purchased a cover for my mini lath from little machine shop it's mafe out of a heavy jean like material works great. Thanks to anyone that can help me with a tutorial or manual, book what ever would really appreciate it and do would my Best Friend. I know he wouldn't want it to just sit there and not be used Thanks

[@TheUnofficialMaker]

so how do you like the mill after using awhile? thinking of getting one.Nice job on the upgrade.Nice music too.

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

Overall I like it. I think, as with any machine tool, I wish it was a bit larger. I'm always coming up with things that don't quite fit on the table, but I really don't have space for a larger machine. The one thing that I'd get if I were to do it again is the high-torque motor. The one that's on this, even with the upgraded controller, just doesn't have much power.

[@KingZeusCLE]

The Seig 2.7 / Grizzly G0704 is what I wish I had went with over my LMS 3990 (X2D) but I think that's always going to be a problem; You always need a bigger one!

[@Mikesmeyer88]

Lms isn't the company we thought they were either, there just another chinese company that made everything seem better. It's all the same they just used better language when advertising. You will have to clean your machine and parts before you even plug it in. Be sure to clean bearings, make sure your motor works before it runs the spindle. With these belt conversions I would treat the parts as if I made them and follow the same finishing processes.

[@DistantVision85]

10dB reduction doesnt see worth it.. Maybe if the gears blow up, then get that kit?

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

It's definitely a noticeable 10dB. I think the bigger change is frequency, the gears are a much higher, more grating-on-the-ears frequency for me, and the belt is lower and far less annoying.

[@zardiw]

You could hav set it on that toolbox ........Z

[@sinadaneshkhah8537]

Is biutifull Upgrade but it will be not stronger than gearbox. Iwill never do this on my mill never 👎 Thanks for sharing video with us

[@williamsullivan9401]

Please don't play music while you are talking. It makes it very hard for those of us with damaged hearing.

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

I agree and apologize. I've pulled it almost 100% from any new content I create, but KZbin doesn't allow me to edit what's already up.

[@cleankeys4962]

Interesting but I'll keep looking for instructional video WITHOUT the back ground noise. Can't hang in.

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

Fair enough. Thanks for the feedback.

[@davidjohnson1883]

PLEASE! Lose the music. Way too Loud!

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

Yeah, I've since eliminated music from pretty much all the videos. Unfortunately KZbin won't let me edit without deleting and re-uploading a whole new video.

[@65cj55]

You sure do complain a lot.

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

Only when I'm awake!

[@digitalgoonie]

Nah, he was just calling out what he is seeing!

[@65cj55]

@@digitalgoonie By complaining.

[@digitalgoonie]

@@65cj55 haha! Touché 🤣

[@bobgaines8964]

@@digitalgoonie db is log rythmic, Remember a 3 db reduction is Half of the total. 10 DB is huge.