Replacing Drive Belt / Bearings Axminster AT406WL / AT1628VS - Episode 256

The lathe has developed a knocking sound and after some investigation and speaking the to excellent Axminster Service team we put it down to a worn bearing.
This video covers on how to replace all three bearings on the spindle but also shows what is needed in order to replace the drive belt.
My lathe is the Axminster AT406WL, which Axminster renamed a few months ago which used to be called the AT1628VS.
This video may also help with the other Axminster trade lathes and possibly other manufacturers that have a similar build to their lathe as most lathes are built very similar to each other.
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[@LeonaFayWoodturning]

Needed this today, thanks for sharing. 👍

[@PaulLockwood]

You’re welcome. Pleased to share as its videos like this we all need at some point.

[@dengudomlige8644]

Another great video, the AT 406 has been climbing slowly but steadily towards the top of my shopping list and this didn´t change a thing. It seems to be well made and easy to work on, if needed, I also get the feeling that you are quite happy with it. Thanks for posting.

[@PaulLockwood]

Thank you Den. Yes compared to my old lathe it's a massive difference. Any lathe can have something like bearings go. A cheap lathe could last forever, it's sometimes just a bit of good or bad luck.

[@Bramsshed1913]

Although I don't have this model it was good to see how you tackled the job. Cheers, Bram

[@PaulLockwood]

Thank you Bram. It can be useful for others too, as it often gives an insight of the things you need to watch for. Also how easy or hard a job may well be.

[@ront7207]

Thank you for that. The 406 is at the top of my list for an upgrade, but unfortunately out of stock just now. I'm using a 20+ year old Woodfast Cobra, which always has been a noisy lathe with vibration from new, plus it will be very useful having variable speed on the 406 instead of having to stop and swop the belt position on the pulleys. Whilst waiting for the 406 at least I can gather all the maintainence info for when it becomes available again. Cheers.

[@PaulLockwood]

These are so quiet and the variable speed is excellent. Have a minor fault on mine at the moment for when you start it up, sometimes it takes a few seconds so waiting on Axminster to collect as it’s either the switch or a component in the inverter.

[@barrycook4690]

We'll all I can say your unlucky Paul had my trade Axminster lathe 4 years , only had to replace the cam lock bolt , as I turn 14" bowls But still working fine,but glad to see you got it done with no problems 😉👍👍

[@PaulLockwood]

Thank you Barry. Just one of those things. This could happen to the cheapest or most expensive lathe out there.

[@MoleValleyMaker]

It was interesting to compare this to my Record Power CL3 (M33 version). It's very similar, 2 bearings at the business end, one at the back. Your pulley is held by a key and 4 screws, the CL3 a flat on the shaft and two grub screws. The bearings on the business end aren't covered by ring used for spindle lock though so there is more access to get the bearings off. Overall though a very similar process but I can see why your lathe is so much more! Thanks for sharing.

[@PaulLockwood]

Thank you. I think they all have a similar design based on what drive system is used, not really a lot you can change for an efficient system. I'm hoping that this video will at least show people how to do these sort of things, even if there are differences. It's a bit like making, you also need to be a bit of a problem solver as you don't know what you will find as you dig under the surface.

[@jimgardner5410]

I have had that same lathe since January. I noticed when you turned the lathe on after reassembly, there was a clicking noise. I can hear the same on mine but put it down to some sort of mechanical rev counter. Would you agree or do you think it is something else?

[@stevenjobbins2600]

Great Vid Paul and perfect timing for me.I have a CL4 the old green type with the bearing you have to oil before use.The motor shaft snapped out of the blue yesterday and i'm having to buy a whole new motor and figured I might as well put new bearing in it whilst its all in pieces.

[@PaulLockwood]

Thank you Steven. Not a quick job but things that can save us a lot of time and / or money.

[@motleydogwoodturning715]

Excellent video Paul. Very clear and useful - particularly as I have the 1628VS (4 years old) with increasingly noisy bearings! Just out of interest (and to save me some time) was there a part number for the refurb kit please? (Bearings and belt I guess). Thanks for posting.

[@PaulLockwood]

Thank you. If you still have the schematics (if not you should be able to download them) they list all the part numbers on there. Axminster just sent me the three bearings to replace.

[@owdjockey4459]

Hi Paul, I must confess I have not, at this stage, watched the full video which I will do later. But given the size of the bearings and I surmise you hav'nt been doing any very large 'off-the bed' turning these bearings should last for many years. I'm also assuming that the three replacement bearings Axminster sent you were FOC? And covered under the statutory 12 month guarantee? I think you must have snook this lathe in under the covers as I cannot remember seeing a review by yourself or have noticed it in previous videos. I quite like the look of this lathe, particularly the electronic variable speed control. I may have a closer look at this lathe myself after reading the reviews, as a replacement for my Hobby Series. Thanks for sharing the video. Cheers Alan

[@PaulLockwood]

Thank you Alan. Yes all was FOC, Axminster service is and has always been excellent for me. I've had the lathe since June, never done a review as so many people have them. The next video shows what I think of the indexing system. Compared to my hobby lathe, this is a massive upgrade.