I own one of the early Carbatec Mini Lathes, the one with the gap bed. The later ones don't have the gap bed. I don't know which one you have.
1/ The early gap bed one had the motor mounted in a self made box/lathe stand beneath the lathe. Therefore you either constructed the box to fit your existing belt length, or bought a belt to fit. Easier to buy the belt first IME.
2/ The later model to date does not have the gap bed which gives it more space below, so copying other mini lathes they have mounted the motor tight beneath the bed. The proverbial chip trap and you have to be careful not to get a build up of heat in the motor, so you must keep clearing the motor housing.
Both lathes came with a variable speed unit, the gap bed just at the end of its life. IMO if you have one of these chuck it away, drop the speed down to anything from the top 5% and you stall the motor.
The best model IMO is the earlier gap bed model, because as the motor is mounted away from the lathe you are able to fit any sized motor you wish. (Within reason :wink: )
I have an early gap bed and am still using the original motor, (not a priority but I will get a bigger motor at some point) the belts on the early ones where what looked like a toothed belt, of 'V' configuration, the width of the broad part of the 'V' being 5mm.
I haven't been able to source the original belts made by Gates, but have found what I think is the modern Gates equivalent here called
'PolyFlex Belt' at Beeline engineering. As to different sized tool rests, I just make my own. Or find a friendly local welder and buy him a dram.
