RF30 Mill/drill replacement belts

[Ex contributorParticipant @mgnbuk]

Don’t trust the belt markings !

[Ex contributorParticipant @mgnbuk]

I have had a Taiwanese built “Tru-Tool” RF30 mill/drill (appears to be the same as the Warco Major) awaiting commissioning for a number of years – the main hold-up being it had a 3 phase motor and the intended fitment of an inverter was constantly slipping down the list of priorities.

 

But a Machine Mart Vat-free coupon was recently utilised to obtain a Clarke phase converter , which got the machine running – though rather lumpily. The poor running was traced to the original Vee belts having taken a set & the wrapping was coming away in places. As the original markings were quite clear (“GeminiRope” B42 and B34) I got replacements from my local bearing supplier.

 

They didn’t fit – both being far too long to allow tensioning once fitted. When the original belts were measured, they turned out to be B40 and B32 respectively.

 

Whether the originals had been mis-labled, or the Taiwanese use different belt length standards to everybody else, I don’t know. But I do vaugely recall having similar problems with a Sealy 12 speed pillar drill where I used to work some years ago.

 

I chose to fit more modern raw edge, moulded cog belts (BX40 & BX32), which fit well. I have yet to connect it up & see if the running has improved, but the drive arrangement does turn more smoothly by hand than before.

 

So if your imported machine requires replacement belts, it may be best to ignore any markings & have the originals measured to get the correct size.

 

Nigel B.

[Author]

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