I need to replace the headstock bearings on this lathe but i am unable to remove the belt pulley. Does anyone know which direction the thread runs on this pulley? Perhaps I am trying to undo it in the wrong direction! help please!
elu db180 lathe
- Thread starter bobpowell
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Trevanion
Greatest Of All Time
Are you 100% certain it's threaded? I don't think I've ever encountered one that's threaded, they've always been held on with a grub screw hidden in the v-grooves and a key.
If it is threaded it's most likely left-hand thread and you would need to loosen it the opposite way you would normally.
If it is threaded it's most likely left-hand thread and you would need to loosen it the opposite way you would normally.
Paul Hannaby
Established Member
Trevanion":qu5a8s9c said:
As Trevanion said - unlikely to be threaded but if it is, it would be a right hand thread if screwed on from the rear end of the spindle and a left hand thread if screwed on from the front end.
woodturnerglynn
New member
Probably way too late in answering this, but in case anyone else is interested, the pulley IS threaded and it is a right hand thread. There are no grub screws. I really struggled to remove it at first but then found that with the spindle locked in position (i.e. with a metal rod inserted in the hole in the top of the headstock) you could use a pipe wrench on the centre of the pulley to get good purchase and to turn it. It actually came off with relative ease using this method and I was kicking myself for not having thought of this earlier. Once removed however, don’t assume that the bearing replacement is easy!! You can knock the spindle and bearings out with relative ease (tap firmly with a hammer and a block of wood from the pulley side of the assembly) but getting the bearings off the spindle is difficult - even with the correct tools.
Bodger_bill
New member
My post is also probably way too late.
I'm about to change the headstock bearings on my DB180. I've had it since new and I think the grease in the bearings has dried out as they become noisy as they get hot. New bearings are still available.
My tip is for removing the pulley on the headstock. I struggled with this and then had the idea to purchase a couple of M18 coarse thread nuts. I split one in half with a Dremel (you could use a hacksaw) to make two thinner locknuts. I was then able to use a spanner to lock against the rails on the lathe. I then used an old V belt that I put over the pulley and twisted it around a steel bar so that it was locked on to the pulley. I was amazed how tightly it grabbed the pulley and was then able to lift it up and unlock the thread on the pulley relatively easily.
As woodturnerglynn said, getting the bearings off the shaft is difficult although a three-jaw puller does the job with a bit of effort... holding the shaft in a vice (with soft jaws), tightening up the puller and then knocking the end of the puller with a hammer.
My second tip was that the tailstock bearing had also dried out. I fixed this using a rubber glove stretched over the bearing with some grease in it. I then used compressed air to force the grease into the bearing. It has transformed it.
I'm about to change the headstock bearings on my DB180. I've had it since new and I think the grease in the bearings has dried out as they become noisy as they get hot. New bearings are still available.
My tip is for removing the pulley on the headstock. I struggled with this and then had the idea to purchase a couple of M18 coarse thread nuts. I split one in half with a Dremel (you could use a hacksaw) to make two thinner locknuts. I was then able to use a spanner to lock against the rails on the lathe. I then used an old V belt that I put over the pulley and twisted it around a steel bar so that it was locked on to the pulley. I was amazed how tightly it grabbed the pulley and was then able to lift it up and unlock the thread on the pulley relatively easily.
As woodturnerglynn said, getting the bearings off the shaft is difficult although a three-jaw puller does the job with a bit of effort... holding the shaft in a vice (with soft jaws), tightening up the puller and then knocking the end of the puller with a hammer.
My second tip was that the tailstock bearing had also dried out. I fixed this using a rubber glove stretched over the bearing with some grease in it. I then used compressed air to force the grease into the bearing. It has transformed it.
Last edited:
Bodger_bill
New member
A further update to my previous post. I've now successfully changed the headstock bearings on my ELU DB180 lathe.
To fit them, I first put the shaft in the freezer and then fitted the large bearing using a vice and approriately sized deep socket pressing on the inner ring. I had to give the socket a bit of a hammer as well with the other end of the shaft support on a bit of hardwood.
I then put the bearing/shaft assembly back in the freezer. Meanwhile I made up two blocks of double thickness mdf 100x100mm (about 38mm after gluing them together). In one of the blocks I drilled a 15mm hole and the other a 20mm hole. I then assembled the shaft into the casting, pushing it in using a large woodworking vice pressing against the mdf blocks at either end with the alloy casting in the middle. The large bearing and shaft went in easily. I then slipped the smaller bearing on to the other end with the shaft still cold and again squeezed the block with the shaft pushed into the holes in each of the blocks. This also went into the other end of the casting easily.
Job done. Now to re-assemble the headstock to the lathe and test.
To fit them, I first put the shaft in the freezer and then fitted the large bearing using a vice and approriately sized deep socket pressing on the inner ring. I had to give the socket a bit of a hammer as well with the other end of the shaft support on a bit of hardwood.
I then put the bearing/shaft assembly back in the freezer. Meanwhile I made up two blocks of double thickness mdf 100x100mm (about 38mm after gluing them together). In one of the blocks I drilled a 15mm hole and the other a 20mm hole. I then assembled the shaft into the casting, pushing it in using a large woodworking vice pressing against the mdf blocks at either end with the alloy casting in the middle. The large bearing and shaft went in easily. I then slipped the smaller bearing on to the other end with the shaft still cold and again squeezed the block with the shaft pushed into the holes in each of the blocks. This also went into the other end of the casting easily.
Job done. Now to re-assemble the headstock to the lathe and test.
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