Brad,
First, be certain of your dimensions, please reference the machinery
handbook. In that you will find that the "V" angles are slightly different
for each belt size. They may look the same, but they are not. Second, yes,
you can plunge cut the groove in a single operation, but the blank must be
really securely chucked and supported with the tailstock, the machine should
be at least 8 tons in mass and have a 10-15 hp motor. You need a seriously
stout machine to cut an "A" size pulley. Without that the chatter will make
the task impossible. I have a 18 x 54 Lodge & Shipley in pristine condition.
It weighs 6 tons, has a 15 hp motor and I don't do it. When making one off
pulleys, I use a parting tool and blow the center out to depth, then I use a
specially ground tool to shape the sides, but I only do that on the L & S.
On smaller machines, the first step is the same then I turn the compound to
the correct angle and machine each side seperately.
Steve

"Brad Smallridge" wrote in message
...
A Few Questions:

I recently made a V-belt pulley but
with some difficulty because I had
trouble setting up a 20 degree angle
on the inside surface closest the
lathe head. I suppose I could turn
the pulley around but then it might
not run true.

Anyway, seems like I should be able
buy an off-the-shelf tool bit with
a snubbed 40 degree included angle.
Just plunge a certain depth and I'm
done. Is there such an animal?

Second, I could go for a smaller
belt but can't seem to find anything
smaller than 2L. Where should I look?
And if I can't go smaller, how come?

Brad Smallridge
AiVision