J&S grinder – belt which way ?

[gerry maddenParticipant @gerrymadden53711]

I’ve virtually completed my J&S 540 rebuild. I tested the electrics / motors today and rather surprisingly it all worked. Just titivating now, which includes fitting and tensioning the drive belt.

The yellow belt that came with the machine looks fine and I will reuse it. But inspecting it today, the inside/outside have distinctly different textures. When I removed the belt several years ago, the ‘fabric’ looking side was against the pulleys. The other side though is smother, more rubbery and stickier. I’m wondering if it’s this side that should really be against the pulleys?

Anyone know? I can’t see any marking on the belt itself so perhaps it doesn’t matter. If that’s the case I will go for the smooth side.

 

 

[renardiere7Participant @renardiere7]

Sorry can’t help with the belt, although I tend to agree with your thoughts on the matter. What a lovely job you’ve done on that machine. First class!

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

Nice job indeed and the smooth side to the pullys is correct. I wish I had that in my Garage.

David

[gerry maddenParticipant @gerrymadden53711]

Thanks chaps for confirmation for your kind remarks. I was expecting a complaint about the state of the wheel. Even my wife complained about that, and she only visits the workshop once every 20 years! I do have another, but decided to use the old one to clean up the bed and then the chuck. This will be messy so I’ll do this outside while the thing is still on skates then return indoors and drop it onto its allocated spot.

[Chris GunnParticipant @chrisgunn36534]

That is a blast from the past, in about 1960 or 61, I operated a nearly new one at Timsons in Kettering, what a great machine it was, and still is by the look of your rebuild. I was impressed at the time I could put a tenth of a thou cut on, and it would take such a fine cut. It is a bit scary that this was 64 years ago!!

Chris Gunn

[Chris CrewParticipant @chriscrew66644]

I replaced the belt on my 540 several years ago because the original one had degraded badly. As far as I can recall the new belt’s texture was uniform on both inside and out so maybe the inside has worn smooth? BTW, spare belts are still available from Jubilee Machine Tools in Derby at £36.95 + VAT + p&p, or so it indicates on their website.

[gerry maddenParticipant @gerrymadden53711]

Chris you may be right about the wear on one side. I did wonder about that but it seems to be perhaps too even for running on cambered pulleys. Not sure I will need one, but it’s good to know that at least one new part for a J&S540 is available at a reasonably sensible price for a change!

Gerry

 

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

You want the smooth side against the pulleys. Even the slightest ‘bump’ can be carried through to the wheel and hence the job when operating at the finest levels. This is why it is sad to see ‘conversions’ using V belts on T&C or surface grinders. The proper belts are expensive if they are proper quality.

[Bazyle]

On Bazyle Said:

You want the smooth side against the pulleys. Even the slightest ‘bump’ can be carried through to the wheel and hence the job when operating at the finest levels. This is why it is sad to see ‘conversions’ using V belts on T&C or surface grinders. The proper belts are expensive if they are proper quality.

The Eagle surface grinders were only ever driven by a single V belt.  Certainly not a top of the range machine but does a good enough job for me.  Can’t even balance the wheel off the machine and mine has roller bearings – so a truly budget machine!

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