When Do You Change the Belt Pulley on a Wood Lathe?

When Do You Change The Belt Pulley On A Wood Lathe can be confusing to novice turners. I provide some insight into when you should change the pulley speeds on a wood lathe. Large variable speed lathes typically have two pulleys while most variable speed Midi lathes have three pulleys. Some lathes change all speeds by moving the belt to a different set of pulleys from a choice of 5 or 6.
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[@carolriley8472]

Great information about changing the belt position.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Glad it was helpful, Carol! Thanks for your continured support.

[@diydarkmatter]

mike i wrote a big comment and thought dang i got off track lol . i use the harbor freight benchtop lathe and your right i dont change the pulleys that much only for roughing out a bowl blank once in a while . and thats only if its really out of balance . thanks for all your tips even if i dont use them i always enjoy hearing about them or seeing you show what and why . your a good teacher and all the new wood turners here on youtube are lucky to have you showing them the things you have learned . your a good friend to the wood turning community .

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks for your support of me and our community.

[@jackthompson8019]

I bought my Delta 1236 lathe new 45 years ago and it did not come with a manual or a motor. I built a stand for it and mounted a motor below it. My lowest speed was about 500 rpm which I found too fast for anything larger than about 6 inches in diameter. I have since upgraded it to run of a 2 HP treadmill motor with a jack shaft. I can get to run from about 50 to about 2000 RPM on the lowest speed pulley. If I want to run faster I have to move the belt up to the next pulley set which I very seldom do. Keep up the good information videos.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks for sharing.

[@allenspain]

Great information! Thanks Mike

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

You bet!

[@bostonhandymaninc.4690]

Hi Mike great video, you’ve been doing this a very long time and I was wondering if you would take the next step and show a video on bearing replacement for your Powermatic 3520 B. I haven’t found one on KZbin so you’d have you would be the first to put one out there for a public. Thanks

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Great suggestion! My lathe is almost 14 years old with a lot of use and no bearing issues. Here is a video I watched a while back that I would recommend. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXfYcp-IitSIbLs

[@LarryDMitchell]

Good info. I've been turning for about a year with my Rikon 70-220VSR (bought as barely used) and have really enjoyed it. I'm going to download your charts because I know they will help me. Thx.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Glad to help!

[@glencrandall7051]

Thanks for the information. Have a great 2021 and stay healthy.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks, glen. Still trying to get a Covid vacinne appointment.

[@cobberpete1]

VERY Important Information. Your right, my instructions ( yes I read), do not mention much about turning speed

[@davidmorgan7522]

Great info Mike! Real men don't read instructions ........... 'til it's too late! Take care, Dave

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

👊✌😂🙏

[@peacefulpandascreations8785]

Very interesting information. I personally just bought the larger harbor freight lathe (it's what I could afford) and so far I like it.

[@rfischer8140]

I also have the larger Harbor Freight lathe. I've had it for several years and have had no problems with the Reeves drive. Yes, I wish it could go to lower speeds than it does; but it's the lathe I could afford (it was *very* affordable at the time with a 25% off coupon). Someday I hope to purchase a better lathe but the HF is doing the job for me now, and I don't have to change pulleys to change the speed.

[@perfectpitchtodd]

I would love to read the manual for my lathe but its a custom lathe made by John Nichols for a guy named Richard Black. No manual came with it and I haven't been able to find one.

[@claypigeon001]

Great tips there Mike 👍 one of the first purchases I made when I picked up my lathe was for a spare belt. It's always better to have one and not need it! Than to need one and not have it( and wait days/weeks for a new one) keep the tips coming 👍👍

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I am on my origianl PM belt 13 years old. My problem would be forgetting I had a spare or finding it as it may be years before I need it! We do keep a spare at my club for our 8 mini lathes.

[@treyjimmy3589]

i dont mean to be so off topic but does anybody know of a method to get back into an Instagram account? I was stupid forgot the account password. I would love any tricks you can give me!

[@larryelisha8170]

@Trey Jimmy instablaster :)

[@treyjimmy3589]

@Larry Elisha I really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and im trying it out atm. I see it takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.

[@treyjimmy3589]

@Larry Elisha It worked and I finally got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D Thanks so much you saved my account :D

[@edmorse3529]

Awesome video!!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@philjacobus5715]

Glad to see your Powermatic is the same as mine. Same size and same ugly finish from a well used lathe!😂 Great video.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

The really ugly ones are where the turner uses spray finish on the lathe!

[@philjacobus5715]

And you should see my chucks! Take care my friend and be safe.

[@jimrobb6325]

Who was that young man at the beginning of the video :-). Trust that all is well with you and yours in these troubled times. We are all well here in Scotland. Keeping safe and keeping busy in our workshops. Best Regards

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Still waiting to get our vacines but believe it will happen in the next couple of weeks. I will feel safer then and look forward to regular woodturning club meetings in person eventually. The news that shows up makes it seem dire in England but we never see anything about Scotland. Stay safe, Jim.

[@gerardwebster1251]

Great video! Very informative! One question however. Are those Oofos clogs you’re wearing on your feet! If so, how do you like them? Ive been wearing those for about 4 years and absolutely love them. Best things I’ve had on my feet! Not too long ago they started making men’s shoes. I just bought a pair and they’re great!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Yes they are! They were a gift and I can only wear without socks because they are a bit small. Ugg.

[@DKWalser]

"When all else fails, read the instructions!" That's what my Dad taught me!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

And who ever listened to their Dad? 😂😉😂

[@georged1209]

Suggestion for your Powermatic; put masking tape over the spindle indexing holes in the headstock to keep trash out.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

God idea! Thanks for sharing.

[@reaton1972]

What speed you you recommend using for sanding?

[@kensherwin4544]

I think it depends on the wood, the paper grit, and the sanding pad. Since this is too complicated for my simple mind, my rule of thumb is to try sanding by holding some new paper of the right grit against the work. If it gets hot, it's going too fast. That's a one-variable rule I can unnderstand. I also toss the paper when it stops making dust. In the immortal words of Lyle Jamieson, "Dull 150 grit paper is NOT the same as 180 grit paper! Get rid of dull sandpaper."

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

No more than 1/3 of what you finished turning at. The key is a lot slower than you might think.

[@eriklarsen6131]

I have never changed the belt, but my lathe is only 30 years old.

[@exotictones1054]

They come with a book?most men read the book only when something doesn't work.

[@richdbolduc]

Or you can get a Nova DVR lathe that doesn't use belts :D