power twist belts

macguy

macguy

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Anyone have any experience with these? I need to replace a belt and don't want to have to take a bunch of stuff apart. They are expensive or I would just give one a try and see how it is. I don't want to spend like $50.00 to experiment. I read a couple reviews about table saws and they said it made the saw run much better but I haven't seen anything regarding lathes.
Thanks
 
macguy said:
Anyone have any experience with these? I need to replace a belt and don't want to have to take a bunch of stuff apart. They are expensive or I would just give one a try and see how it is. I don't want to spend like $50.00 to experiment. I read a couple reviews about table saws and they said it made the saw run much better but I haven't seen anything regarding lathes.
Thanks
Click to expand...

They're the nuts! They run smoother, cooler and last longer than the old fashioned belts plus the added benefit that you don't have to tear your headstock apart to change them. They can be a little tricky getting together, but still much easier than the alternative. They're great for belt drive table saws and other equipment also because the link belt design actually does run smoother and grip the pulleys better, which reduces small vibrations. The vibrations can show up in your work in many ways. I highly recommend them!

just more hot air!

Sherm
 
Dave38 said:
I have it on my Atlas lathe, and boy what a difference. It isn't cheap, but it's worth not disassembling the headstock to change a belt. a cheap imatation Harbor freight:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43771
Or Ebay, this guy is good and fast shipping:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Fenner-Drives-P...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item53da5b831a

Dave
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Many places sell these belts but both of these sites are among the lowest price. If you can use those widths they would be the best place to get them. W.W. Grainger carries them but at a premium price. You do need to measure your present belts and pulleys to get the correct width as many larger machine tools (lathes and mills) use a 5/8 width belt. If the pulleys are designed for the 5/8 and the smaller belt is used, often it will ride on the bottom of the pulleys instead of the sides and cause slippage. I paid more for those belts 20 years ago than H/F is charging today. None of the belt is wasted either as the left over from one can be added together to make another. All of my machinery has them from the band saws to the mill. The way that a normal V belt is made causes a set. They are not round but oval so every time the belt revolves there are two bumps where the pulleys are trying to make the straight parts of the belt round causing a vibration.

I have bought a couple of these from H/F but don't remember what machines I have them on. Makes no difference really though as I've never had any problems out of any of them.

Dick
 
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Get one for sure.
I run them on my belt drive lathe, and my table saw machine. Much smoother.
 
I've never used one but will if my lathe drive belt ever goes, for the same reason as others, no dis-assembly required.

I trust Lee Valley in their comments, honesty is how they built up their stellar repution ... if they say it's a great thing I believe them :

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=30051&cat=1,240,41067

They will also provide you with another pricing point, and I've never seen them sell a sub-standard product.

Dave
 
I got one on my Delta Table Saw and it is definitely much smoother and runs with less vibration. I got mine at Woodcraft for about twenty something. The real trick is adjusting the links to just the right size.
 
Dave38 said:
I have it on my Atlas lathe, and boy what a difference. It isn't cheap, but it's worth not disassembling the headstock to change a belt. a cheap imatation Harbor freight:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43771
Or Ebay, this guy is good and fast shipping:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Fenner-Drives-P...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item53da5b831a

Dave
Click to expand...

Thanks for the links. I ordered from the ebay guy. His price was about the best and his shipping was very fair.
I was dreading all the disassembly I was going to have to do, now it will be easy. Just for future reference. I wanted the power twist brand but I live near a harbor freight store, how is the one they sell? It is not any cheaper but would be convenient because I can just go there and buy it when I want.
Thanks again
 
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macguy said:
Thanks for the links. I ordered from the ebay guy. His price was about the best and his shipping was very fair.
I was dreading all the disassembly I was going to have to do, now it will be easy. Just for future reference. I wanted the power twist brand but I live near a harbor freight store, how is the one they sell? It is not any cheaper but would be convenient because I can just go there and buy it when I want.
Thanks again
Click to expand...

Your welcome, anytime. He ships fast, so you should get it quikly. Let us know how it goes. The harbor freight one I haven't tried it. I saw it in the store right after I ordered one from the ebay source. When I saw it in the store, the link material looked a little thinner, and was a foot longer for a bit cheaper. I will buy it next time just to see and try it. I could use a new belt on my jointer.
Dave
 
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