Plenty of guides like this one **LINK** on the net.

I would recommend a link belt, the proper red fibre ones which are available from RS (though cheaper suppliers may exist!). You only need to know the approximate length as you can adjust the belt and they give smoother drive, and on machines like the Myford you can avoid major dismantling to fit.

BTW older Myford use A section belt and if you buy link belting for the Myford often this gets supplied, but the new big bore lathes use Z section I believe and A section is too big as you mention. Also the plastic link belt is too stretchy.

Hi all, working out the correct belt size is a forgotten Black art……..nothing worked for me properly…….

Found it easier in the old days to take the machines and yes 3 ton Tractors as well to the parts place to get the correct belt….

Now the nice people let me take a dozen belts and take back the 1's that don't fit……..I'm doing this about twice a month……….my parts place is 15 miles away……..it's less stressful this way, well for me……..

not the answer u want but hey, ho………clogs

Most of the online belt calculators are set up to work from the outside diameters of the pulleys.

Or you can wrap a flexible tape measure or dress maker's cloth tape measure around the outsides of the two pulleys following the path of the outside of teh belt. Then deduct about an inch from the measurement, because belts are actually sized by the 'cord" measurement (aka pitch measurement, aka datum diameter), which lies a bit below the outer surface of the belt. How much below depends on the size and profile of the belt. That's the way it's done around here anyway. It works for me.

Easiest way is to take the old belt to the belt shop and ask for one the same size as this.

Edited By Hopper on 30/01/2017 11:48:53

Most manufcaturers seem to specify the Inside (nominal) length.

I have just bought a Dore Westbury Mk11.

It came with all the plans and books and I have just looked it up. The book says it is a M 46 V belt,

Googling that produces 10 x 6 x 46" Z or 1168mm. They seem quite cheap on eBay so I will get on and order one and report back as mine looks and sounds knackered. I don't have a belt supplier that I know of to go to 'borrow' any from.

Edited to add £2.35 inc p&p  we will see what turns up!

Edited By Phil JOHNS on 30/01/2017 16:04:32

Hi, the may help.

Regards Nick.

I didn't want to go though the trouble of measuring pulleys and center distance and then doing the calculations so I fitted a link type belt to my bandsaw. The belt whipped so violently and vibrated enough I thought the saw would destroy itself. Don't repeat my mistake.