Clarke CL500M – Belt Sizes?

[Paul Hammond 1Participant @paulhammond1]

Last night I brought a Clarke CL500M lathe & Mill but unfortunately it didnt come with any drive belts.

The manual states that there should be 4 belts.

Clarke service department said they are out of stock but could order them in at a cost of £62.70

Does anyone know the correct size of belts that I need?

[Paul Hammond 1Participant @paulhammond1]

[John RuddParticipant @johnrudd16576]

You could measure the belt length by wrapping some string round the pulleys, to give a close approximation.

Any good power transmission specialist in your area should be able to make up a set based on the measurements….

[MWParticipant @mw27036]

Hi Paul,

I can try and measure mine for you, i could either use a piece of string to measure the circumference or measure it straight length with tape and double up for the approximation. I'm not entirely sure what measurement is used for belts.

I also think it's 3 belts; 1 longer belt for the 3 higher speeds and 2 smaller ones for the lower speeds on the idler.

PS. (That is 3 for the lathe and 1 for the mill, i just realized sorry, mine is the cl430m, you will need to find someone else for you to get the cl500 mill measurement, unless it's the same as the other smaller ones)

I would be cautious using clarke service dept. I needed them before for 2 gears, to which they only sent me 1 and had to constantly call and check up on them for the next 6 months to get the remaining gear, they even denied that my order ever existed too, which i found a bit insulting. £62.70 is probably way over the odds for 3 rubberized mesh belts.

Since that occasion i've dropped the idea of using them like a hot stone. I'll do everything in my power to avoid relying on a third rate customer service dept.

Dont get me wrong, i really like clarke products but i can't say the same for the service dept, i think it's a case of giving the golden treatment to the big customers whose motors have broken down and giving the rough treatment to the guy who just wants a few bits and pieces. 

 

Michael W

 

Edited By Michael Walters on 22/09/2016 14:39:17

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Michael,

You forgot the mill/drill belt. That is the fourth.

 

 

They 'A' size cross section, I think. Centre to centre and pulley size should get close to belt size.

 

I use ABC for nearly all my bearing and belt needs.

Edited By not done it yet on 22/09/2016 14:38:40

[MWParticipant @mw27036]

Thanks N.D.I.Y, I've adjusted my comment to reflect that when it dawned upon me.

Michael W

[Paul Hammond 1Participant @paulhammond1]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the responses.

I have taken a punt on a ebay seller, I did some research online and compared it to the email I got from the Clarke service department. I think i have ordered the correct belts which should be with me on Saturday or Monday. If they are wrong then its only £15 down the drain, but at least i will have a better idea of what is right to order.

Ill keep you posted!

Cheers

Paul

[John RuddParticipant @johnrudd16576]

The prices from Clarke are a bit extortionate…..

Having said that, I've just repaired and sold a Clarke compressor…..needed 4 reed valves, conrod/gudgeon pin/piston/gasket set cost me around £100 all in, but their carriage costs are dear!

However the service was great….the guy certainly knew his onions…

[John RuddParticipant @johnrudd16576]

The prices from Clarke are a bit extortionate…..

Having said that, I've just repaired and sold a Clarke compressor…..needed 4 reed valves, conrod/gudgeon pin/piston/gasket set cost me around £100 all in, but their carriage costs are dear!

However the service was great….the guy certainly knew his onions…

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Paul

FWIW.. I had one of those about 5 years back, sold it to fund toward my Warco kit. Good hefty machine but watch it when you're milling, keep the head down to it's lowest otherwise it will vibrate, when you move the head to use the lathe set up swing the head round to line up axially & lock it in place otherwise, again , you will get imbalance & vibration effects.

Mine came supplied with all the belts, ready to run, as yours stands ( I assume you've bought it new from MM ) it can't run now so you can't use it, so to quote an old cliché… 'not fit for purpose' Clarkes should be providing belts FOC & not charging you 'Silly money'. My Warco 250V-F came with belt fitted, ready to run 'straight out of the box' so to speak.I know you've bought belts off e-bay but I would still question Clarkes/MM as to why there were no belts supplied… they shouldn't be 'optional extras' … the term 'profiteering' comes to mind

George.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

The price quoted for the belts seems to be high, (or maybe I'm out of touch).

The manual , on line for the CL500M only quotes part nos, not belt details.

I would suggest buying from a local bearing/seal/belt stockist. (around here it is Anglia Bearing Company)

Brammer have branches all over UK.

With local suppliers you can be more certain of the quality than a cheap overseas source.

Don't forget to measure with the pulleys set for MINIMUM distance, so that there is space to allow adjustment for when the belt stretch.

If you already have belts that suit, keep a note of the belt details, for future reference, so that you can obtain them locally if you need them.

Possibly teaching granny etc, do ensure that the pulleys are in line. My Warco Economy Mill/Drill shredded the primary belt within 6 months, cos' the motor was misaligned. With the motor aligned, the replacement belt is still going strong after more than a dozen years!

Howard

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by mechman48 on 22/09/2016 15:54:19:

Mine came supplied with all the belts, ready to run, as yours stands ( I assume you've bought it new from MM ) it can't run now so you can't use it, so to quote an old cliché… 'not fit for purpose' Clarkes should be providing belts FOC & not charging you 'Silly money'. My Warco 250V-F came with belt fitted, ready to run 'straight out of the box' so to speak.I know you've bought belts off e-bay but I would still question Clarkes/MM as to why there were no belts supplied… they shouldn't be 'optional extras' … the term 'profiteering' comes to mind

As he bought it 'last night' my guess is it isn't brand new – you shouldn't jump in accusing people of 'profiteering' or selling gear 'not fit for purpose' on a hunch!

My mini-lathe from Machine Mart many years ago was a 'return' and it had a few bits missing from the box. Despite it being 'sold as seen' they sent me all the missing bits free of charge and very quickly.

Neil

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 22/09/2016 17:27:07

[Paul Hammond 1Participant @paulhammond1]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 22/09/2016 17:25:43:

Posted by mechman48 on 22/09/2016 15:54:19:

Mine came supplied with all the belts, ready to run, as yours stands ( I assume you've bought it new from MM ) it can't run now so you can't use it, so to quote an old cliché… 'not fit for purpose' Clarkes should be providing belts FOC & not charging you 'Silly money'. My Warco 250V-F came with belt fitted, ready to run 'straight out of the box' so to speak.I know you've bought belts off e-bay but I would still question Clarkes/MM as to why there were no belts supplied… they shouldn't be 'optional extras' … the term 'profiteering' comes to mind

As he bought it 'last night' my guess is it isn't brand new – you shouldn't jump in accusing people of 'profiteering' or selling gear 'not fit for purpose' on a hunch!

My mini-lathe from Machine Mart many years ago was a 'return' and it had a few bits missing from the box. Despite it being 'sold as seen' they sent me all the missing bits free of charge and very quickly.

Neil

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 22/09/2016 17:27:07

Yes you are right, this is a 2nd hand lathe, not direct from machine mart.

The missing belts were probably somewhere in the workshop, but it was dark in there and the owner has recently passed so i am told.

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Peccatum meum, assumptions, assumptions duly admonished,

G.

[Paul Hammond 1Participant @paulhammond1]

Can anyone tell me what the 2 black round knobs are below the horizontal lead screw? They can be seen in the photo on this page https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cl500m-metal-lathemill-drill/ They pull out but i dont know what they are for.

[MWParticipant @mw27036]

Paul,

They are knurled black plastic caps for metal tubes that rest inside the body of the casting that you can pull out, there are another 2 on the opposite side as well to carry straps if you're going to use for a hoist to move the 160kg cumbersome machine around.

Michael W

Edited By Michael Walters on 22/09/2016 23:12:25

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

+1 Michael W for lifting straps/sling.

If you don't have a hoist you can remove the mill head by undoing the four SHCS & lift the head off to make it lighter, the mill is driven by the pair of bevel gears that are visible.

George.

[Paul Hammond 1Participant @paulhammond1]

Can anyone tell me if the pulleys are arranged correctly. It doesnt seem to match up to what is shown on the clarke manual.

http://imgur.com/tAriX5t

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

Without looking at mine tomorrow the middle one looks the wrong way round. As also stated the black knobs are for lifting.

I would look at the cable that goes into the gland, its very close to the spindle pulley.

Martin P

Edited By martin perman on 23/09/2016 21:54:09

[Paul Hammond 1Participant @paulhammond1]

Posted by martin perman on 23/09/2016 21:51:57:

Without looking at mine tomorrow the middle one looks the wrong way round. As also stated the black knobs are for lifting.

I would look at the cable that goes into the gland, its very close to the spindle pulley.

Martin P

Edited By martin perman on 23/09/2016 21:54:09

yes I thought the middle was the wrong way around. I would appreciate if you can confirm tomorrow.

The cable is close, but there is still enough room to get a belt in and out.

Many thanks

[RobboParticipant @robbo]

Paul

That cable gland appears to be the wrong way round in the hole. The screw on cap where the cable enters should be on the outside.

And yes, the middle pulley looks the wrong way round. I don't have a Clarke, but the present way "is not logical Captain".

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

IIRC the middle pulley is the wrong way round; conversely you could say the motor pulley is the wrong way round , … 6 & 2×3's

George.

[Cedric NormanParticipant @cedricnorman47847]

I bought my CL500M off ebay some 15 to 20 years ago and it came with only one belt. I remedied this by buying a 10 x 914 for the motor to the spindle and two belts, 10 x 584 belt from the motor to the idler / 10 x 560 belt from the idler to the spindle.

The pulleys look correct on your machine. There should be a small pulley on the back of the motor set, which is connected to the large rear idler pulley when in use. This allows you to get 3 x low speeds by moving the idler to top belt on the front three grooves. The high speeds are gained by taking the drive directly from the motor pulley to the spindle pulley, and once again this gives you 3 speeds using the same 3 grooves.

This is illustrated on page 17 of the manual, which can be downloaded from https://www.clarkeservice.co.uk/manuals2/cl430M.pdf

I bought my belts off ebay as they were cheaper, but did get a couple of replacement gears from Clarkes, who gave a good service.

I made a couple of C-washer/spacers to fit onto the belt tension bolt at the back of the lathe; this made changing belts a lot easier. It saves screwing the nut up and down the thread.

Fitting a 1HP variable speed motor has enhanced the flexibility of the lathe and means I seldom have to do belt changes any more.

[MWParticipant @mw27036]

Robbo,

I can confirm it is the correct way around, It is a speed reducing idler. I don't think i've seen the inside of my clarke that clean since i bought it; looks more like it spent a week down a coal mine! Must really do something about that.

Michael W

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Shortly, am likely to helping a friend sort out problems on his second hand CL500M, so all this is of interest.

With regard to comments re too high a Spindle speed for screwcutting, I would have expected the Idler to be mounted the other way round, so that the belts run: Motor small/Idler large and Idler small/Spindle large.

Is there a reason why the idler cannot be fitted the other way round?

The tumbler reverse adaptation sounds interesting. Has anyone any details, please?

Howard

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