Reeve's drive question

MHO - take this opportunity to put on a 3-phase + VFD or DC variable speed motor, and forget the Reeves drive. YHO may vary, obviously.

I just sold my 46-700 after years of good service. The advice to get a variable speed setup for the lathe is good advice, but if you go wilth the Reeve's drive, it will work well also. Reeve's drive makes a little noise that I can do without, but works well otherwise. I also turned handles for the tool rest and tailstock that made an old guy's hands work a little better. I built a stand for my Delta and added as much weight as necessary for a stable platform. Enjoy! GCS

I used to maintain 2 of those Delta drives, but that was decades ago. There should be a key in that key slot, I think. That way, both halves of the pulley transmit torque from the motor shaft to the belt. It also helps to reduce belt wear. Grease the bronze bushing before assembly so the outer half can slide freely on the motor shaft. Dan

Mark,

It's been a while since I sold my 46-700, but if I remember correctly there is a key on the motor shaft. In fact the fixed half of the drive pulley goes on first and the set screw tightens on the key. I had to use some locktite on the setscrew, or it would loosen, and wreck havoc on the the part that moved the sliding half of the drive pulley. I used the non permanent locktite, so that I could loosen the setscrew if I needed to.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

From what I've been reading on the net I guess there have been some issues regarding the variable speed system on this Delta lathe (belt wear, slippage, noise, etc.) But I also see that most of the probs can be dealt with or simply put up with. Since this is going to be my starter lathe I'll just deal with it for now. I'm guessing that a new motor conversion would cost some. (Any site suggestions for doing such a conversion btw?)

As far as the drive goes, it looks like the fixed half is keyed with the set screw bearing down on it. Like what's been said so far, I think the moveable half is keyed too because there is a slot in the bronze bush. If it was meant to free-wheel I would think they would put a solid bushing in there. I'm just confused because it doesn't show a key on the Delta schematics.

Oh yeah, Merry Christmas to everone too. :)

Mark

I don't quite understand some of the replies. I just sold my 46-701 and it had to have a key on the motor shaft.The inboard half is fixed on the shaft with a set screw that actually sets against the key. The outboard pulley slides on the key-that's what keeps it from spinning free, with the thrust bearing pushing against the outboard pulley to control the movement in and out of the outboard pulley.

The Reeves drive worked but mine required constant maintanance and did produce some vibration and noise. But it served me well for a couple years.

Earl

I was curious about your comment that the key did not show on the schematic. Just went to the Delta site, and you are right...no key. BUT...I then looked at schematic for the 46-746, which is a later version and it clearly shows the key. I know my 46-701 had a key because the set screw worked loosed once and the key vibrated to the right and started rubbing against the reeves controller and made a horrendous noise.

Earl

Like many things, it can cost much, or nothing. Adequately powered (not stunningly, but adequately) VS DC setups can be had for free, or nearly free, if you find where electric treadmills go in your town when people stop using them; ie, the recyling center or equivalent. Cost a few bucks if you have to get them at yard sales, or buy the parts from a surplus place that has already extracted them from the treadmill.

Brand new setups (DC or AC) cost more, though some sources for 3-phase VFDs at quite reasonable prices ($100-150 for 1-2 hp VFD) can be found, and 3 phase motors are fairly cheap, and can often be free if you ask around (people who buy 3-phase equipment but have no 3 phase power and decide to remotor, rather put on a VFD, often have a few sitting around).

I own one Reeves drive (in a Shopsmith Mark V). I have repaired it (once). If it needs repair again, it's getting replaced with a variable speed motor - they are needlessly maintenance-intensive and noisy, and the low speed is quite high as compared to every VS motor I've ever used.

I'd say its a safe bet that most people started on a Delta lathe considering how many there are and how popular Delta/Rockwell equipment was with schools. Frankly, I wouldn't bother with repowering the lathe. Just keep using it until you outgrow it and then upgrade to something better for the turning you get involved with. Dan

"Earl" wrote: (clip) The outboard pulley slides on the key-that's what keeps it from spinning free, with the thrust bearing pushing against the outboard pulley to control the movement in and out of the outboard pulley. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I'm sure you mean "outboard pulley FLANGE." And you are correct. In my experience, an important limiting factor of a Reeves drive is belt slippage at high torque. If you leave out that key the torque capacity of the drive will be cut in half--who needs that?

The key was probably omitted in error from the parts diagram.