Re: Yates American J170?

[Paragon cabinet]

> dmreasons wrote:
>
> The Yates American J170, in even fair condition, is worth $ 250.00.The
> base supporting the head and tailstock can easily be detached, leaving
> just three pieces to deal with. The banjo,toolrest and tailstock
> support are not heavy. In removing the bed at the headstock you will
> discover two locating pins that enable a perfect re-alignment of the
> bed assembly and centerline adjustment. The quill in the tailstock
> works in reverse of most lathes. Unless absolutley necessary, do not
> remove the motor or variable sheave mechanism. The motors that
> accompanied the J 170 were typically 1/2 HP three phase. One downside
> is the spindle is 1 1/8" x 8 TPI, which is not real popular.
>
> I have had, and modified three of these to date. If interested just
> email me and I'll send some pics that show riser blocks and motor
> repositioning.
>
Do you happen to know the size and type of drive belts to use on the j170? The
manual says 21/32x30 but I'm confused if this means 21/32wide or tall. What's
on mine now looks like a timing belt 1" wide 3/8 tall

--

[ItsJoanNotJoann]

Not sure why Paragon is asking about a wood lathe on a sewing group. Anybody got a spare one in their sewing room so we can help the confused Paragon?

[benz...@gmail.com]

Before modifying a Classic Lathe like the J170 you can first take the lathe apart and clean it. Grease all the parts that need grease and then put it all back together. Some of the parts require oil and not grease. If you squirt grease in those oil zerks you will cause problems. It is easy to buy a rotery phase converter to power your lathe off Ebay. You provide 220V single phase and it feeds the 3 phase to your lathe. If you call https://www.motionindustries.com/productCatalogSearch.jsp
which is Motion Industries in Rockford IL and give them the numbers that are printed on your original belts they can find your belt. I believe that belt converts to a Gates Rubber number. I completely restored my J-170 and I would not change the design in any way. There are plenty of companies that sell chuck that will fit your lathe. I can not think of anything else you would screw onto the headstock. Everything is #2 Taper on the lathe and that is the best. This is the best lathe you will ever have. Renew it, keep it, and love it. Other guys will buy Jet crap and brag like it is the best thing ever and theirs will wear out and they cry in about 2 years. Your lathe will only get better. It will not jitter you have the best lathe ever made. Yates American is still in Business here in Beloit Wisconsin. They will not help you with your equipment because of liability. People got hurt using their machines and they stopped making Home Consumer woodworking equipment. You know how that works we can sue a U.S. company and ruin them but we cant sue anyone if we get hurt on cheap Chinese crap. Yates now only makes industrial equipment for producing wood flooring.

[BEI Design]

I do believe the wood lathe newsgoup is down the hall, three doors
on your left...

;-D

[jspute...@gmail.com]

I have a J-170 which is a bit out of alignment. Is there a way to adjust the headstock? thanks.