Denford Starmill - how to remove spindle drive belt?

[Fgc]

I have not taken to replacing the old spindle motor belt as yet. Instead I have fitted a new servo motor in place of the old motor because the old driver board died and also i want to get more power. I made a simple adapter plate to hold a Nema34 1kw servo motor in place. There is enough space to put in a 1.5kw motor if you are so inclined. The 1kw motor is shorter than the original Baldor motor so I actually gain some Z travel (the 1.5kw motor is about the same length as the original Baldor motor, so this swap will not reduce Z travel).

[m_c]

Since you've fitted a servo, it may be worth considering the bit extra effort and fitting a toothed belt, as that opens up the possibility of rigid tapping.

I wouldn't worry too much about reducing Z travel by fitting a longer motor, as the bigger problem is usually lack of Z height. My old Novamill, the Coventry EasyChange holder would just about hit the table before it ran out of travel. Certainly with a tool holder in, it would hit the table. If had kept it, I would of fitted a column raising block.