Zyto lathe help please

[boxcar]

hi does anyone have any information on xyto lathes please?
i have just aquired one and need to know how to remove the main shaft to fit a new belt. there is a gear fitted to the left end of the main shaft.this has a grubscrew tapped into its side half thru the gear and half thru the end of the shaft. i can remove this but the gear is still solid on the shaft. i cant tell if this is a force fit or threaded onto the shaft and if so in which direction. teeth on gear seem too brittle to try the lump hammer approach
any help would be much appreciated
roger

[Roger Mason]

Hi Roger,

I am not sure that I can be of much use with your Zyto question. Many years ago I used to own a Zyto. I seem to remember that I did remove the main spindle on at least one occasion - so it cannot be too difficult.

I think that the gear that you mention is screwed onto the spindle, but after all this time I cannot be certain.

If you are wishing to renew the belt - why not use a belt with a fastener in it. If it is a flat belt, as the original lathe was equipped, then most come with a metal fastener. If it is a vee-belt, what about using the Brammer type belting. It can be adjusted to give the right length, and of course can be threaded around the pulley without removing it.

I wish you the best with your endeavours.

Cheers,

Roger Mason, in St. Agnes.