FILENAMES: clutch1.JPG clutch2.JPG clutch3.JPG clutch4.JPG clutch5.JPG clutch6.JPG clutch7.JPG DESCRIPTION: These are pictures of a clutch retrofit on a Taiwan lathe. Posted by Graham Dowding . The following description was provided: ================================================================= Here are some pics of the clutch I fitted to my 12x36 Taiwan lathe. It is a simple mechanism to lift the motor and loosen the drive belt. The two sides of the belt must be held together when the motor is raised. This holds the end of the belt completely clear of the motor pulley. If this is not done the belt will not completely disengage. When engaged the motor is held in place by an over centre action on the lifting arm. These ideas are not mine. Clutches like this have been the subject of several articles in Australian Model Engineer over the years. (http://www.ameng.com.au/main.htm ) I can supply references if anyone is interested. (GD8013@hotmail.com ) Actually the primary purpose of this project was not the clutch, but the isolation of the motor from the lathe in order to solve a problem of poor surface finish. This problem is discussed here http://www.practicalmachinist.com/ubb/Forum8/HTML/000009.html I only built the clutch because it didn't add much to the main job and it wouldn't do any harm even if it did no good. However I can now report that having a clutch is great. I love it. The action is light and smooth. The take up is smooth and you can slip it a little to ease the load on the drive train if you are spinning up to a high speed . Also I no longer wonder about the capacity of the starter windings when doing those frequent stop / start jobs. I can also report that isolating the motor from the lathe bed solved the finish problem. Pic 1 is the clutch disengaged. Pic 2 is engaged Pic 3 is the operator's view Pic 4 is how the belt constraints are mounted Pic 5 is how I mounted the motor Pic 6 is the swarf corner of my shop Pic 7 is the gantry I built to move the lathe. It would have been quicker and no more costly to just go buy an engine crane.