I just picked up 2 #59 hand screw machines. Before I start taking the first one apart is there an easy way to change the 2 spindle drive belts? It currrently has the rivotted belts and there is no more adjustment left to take up the slack. Massive slipping going on right now. I wanted to replace them with standard V- belts if possible.

Second question, anybody had trouble getting their collet closer to stay closed when spindle is running?

If the current belts are still serviceable is there a way you could add a idler pulley to take up the slack, perhaps even temporary until your V-Belt solution gets finalized.

Ken