Lapidaryforum.net
Gadgets, Gizmos, and Dohickeys => Fixing, Modifying and Refurbishing your Lapidary Equipment => Topic started by: RoadCut on January 29, 2023, 05:43:58 PM
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I referbished an old Graves Caberet cabbing machine(#9898) that was given to my Gem and Mineral club. Before I take it apart can anyone tell me what size drive belt the machine uses? The manual was not included when the machine was donated and I cannot find one on the internet. We have been using the machine but the belt is making noises and we would like change the belt before the machine is rendered useless and we have to play a guessing game to find a replacement drive belt. Also if someone has a manual for this machine I would love to get a copy. Thank you for any help you can give us.
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Pictures would help. There could be many reasons behind a noisy belt - the belt itself, but also worn or misaligned sheaves.
I highly recommend link belts over traditional v-belts - less vibration, adjustment of the length, and easier replacement without having to take everything apart.
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Thank you for the information on the link belts.
I do not have any photos but you could see the fraying on the black belt. I will be in the workshop hopefully on Saturday. The belt is only abut 1/4 inch wide. Vacuum cleaner or sewing machine belt width.The 1/2 in width of the link belts that I have seen are way to wide.
Bill
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I would also check the pulleys to see if they are secured on their shaft. I've seen pulleys attached with only a set screw and no keyway and they loosen over time. Could be a subtle movement enough to cause noise.
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Hey, can't give you your answers, but I do have a copy of the manual. I'm a novice and just got this machine, luckily it had the manual! However, sadly it does not look like it has the details on the belt that you were looking for. Please excuse the dots on the first page. There was a phone number already written on it and wanted to remove PII.
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Take the belt off of the machine and go to an autoparts store for a proper replacement. I agree that noises don't usually come from frayed belts. I suspect a loose pulley.
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I am using a round O Ring belt meant for a large water filter. It is a bit smaller than the Draves Ring but works fine. I did stretch it by hand to get a little extra length, they are very flexible. You can buy the o-rings at Lowe's and a bunch of other places that sell water filters for home systems.
Pentek, Pentair 151122 www.captainoring.com 215-839-6565 I imagine there are more sizes available, but I had several used o-rings and used one of those.
PS: I will be posting my Graves Spool polisher for sale soon. Need to take pictures, it is like new and works fine.