Arundel J4 drive belt change issues

valius · 2025-01-21T21:06:25+0000

So i got my Arundel J4 junior and loving it. But the drive belt is really old tatty and lost quite few inner strings and needs changing.

To take the belt off, the spindle in the headstock needs to come out but i can't seem to remove it. There is a grub screw on it wich came out but the bit it was holding is just spinning around without moving sideways (i thought it might be on a thread of sorts)

Anyways did anyone managed to change the drive belt on one of the J4 series Arundel? Or maybe anyone has a manual for it lying around? Or any ideas.

John Brown · 2025-01-21T21:15:58+0000

I seem to remember that there's a grub screw in the pulley block that has to come out. I can't remember what else, even though it was only about a year ago that I replaced the belt on my J4.

valius · 2025-01-21T23:36:11+0000

John Brown said:
I seem to remember that there's a grub screw in the pulley block that has to come out. I can't remember what else, even though it was only about a year ago that I replaced the belt on my J4.

Hi John, yeah i did undo those grubs and pulley block is spinning around freely inside headstock.
As i understand that part in picture on the outboard spindle, just after thread, has to come off so i could pull the whole shaft out of Headstock, but its not moving side to side, only spins in one place.
Stuck, because don't want to damage anything

John Brown · 2025-01-22T07:47:56+0000

Sorry, I really don't remember...
Mine has plain bearings, and I think I just gently knocked out the spindle. I believe some have "proper" bearings.
Jacob might know, he's owned a couple of Arundels. Start a thread on political sharpening...

If you do get it out, I found a lawnmower belt on eBay or maybe Amazon for a few quid. RS components also have them, but postage and packing triple the price.

Tris · 2025-01-22T08:10:52+0000

I was going to suggest @Jacob

Do you have a bearing puller you could try?
If not have a look here for a 'get you out of a hole' version
Thread 'Poolewood 28 - 40 new bearings' https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/threads/poolewood-28-40-new-bearings.115823/

Jacob · 2025-01-22T08:57:56+0000

I changed bearings on my J4 Junior but they were plain bronze. But I imagine the sealed bearings fit in much the same way i.e. you remove the spindle by taking off the collar from the out board end, loosening the grub screws on the pulley, tap out the spindle whilst protecting the thread. Then the bearings themselves can be tapped out of the housings.
One little trick I've found elsewhere, which can be confusing, is that there may be two grub screws down the holes. You take one out without realising and wonder why the thing hasn't come loose. There may be two holes and 4 grub screws!
The belt on my J4 Senior needs replacing so I'd also like to know if there is a systematic approach to taking the spindle out, or should I just chance it and tap away?