Link belts

[Gord - Cambridge]

Hi

While up at the Durham wood show, I made a side trip to the Welbeck saw mill store... I bought 3 feet of 3/8" link belt for my Jointer.. WOW, did it ever make a difference, I couln't believe it, there is now not a single bit of vibration.

This 3/8" link belt runs down in the groove of the pully, Is this correct ?

I want to buy 100" more for my drum sander, but I'm not sure which to buy, the 1/2" or the 3/8".

Eventually, I'd like to put these belts on all my belted machines, but it will cost a fair bit.

Thanks..

[Bud Christiansen]

I'd replace with the same width belt that's currently on the sander....and since I'm no expert on power transmission stuff, I'd take one of the pulleys with me to a shop specializing in that field and say "Give me a link belt that matches this." They come in different width as well as flange angles. There should be half a dozen sources in Cambridge.

[Bob Crowder]

Hi Gord:
Generally speaking, any Vee belt should not ride in the bottom of the groove in the pulley. A Vee belt is supposed to wedge itself on the sides of the pulley, which will give it more driving force. If the link belt you bought rides in the bottom of the groove, it sounds like you should have bought the 1/2" one. If you can see a number on the original one, it should be an "A" or a "B".The letter denotes the width of the belt, and the number is the length of it. Of course, there are exceptions to most rules, since belts come from various sources. Have this info with you when you go to purchase the next one. Bob.

[Ron Evers, Beeton, ON]

on Bob's post; "A"(½") and "B"(5/8") belts are automotive grade (good quality). You can also have a "L" (fractional HP) grade belt which I personally would not use as they are of poorer quality. All my equipment is powered by automotive grade V belts and vibration is not a problem.

Best Regards, Ron.

[Steve in Kemptville, On.]

I'd second Ron's advice. Type 'L' or FHP belts are crap. I put one on my mower deck to replace the Bolens one and it was so weak it kept stretching, flipping backwards and getting shredded (went through 4 belts all replaced under warranty). Finally I bought the $90 Bolens belt and it's been on there trouble free for 5 years!

[Andy in Georgetown]

Back in the 70's when I sold fractional HP belts and automotive belts they were not interchangeable. They both had a different degree of angle and fit different pulleys. I think many people might believe the FHP is of lesser quality because only the top of the belt makes contact with an automotive type pulley. Therefore before long the outer layers of the belt delaminate and eventually the whole thing fails.
In my opinion we should all be using serpentine belts like the auto industry, it's probably the smartest thing HD did to their TS. Why are the two big names in TS's fighting progress and still trying to fit three matched belts, makes no sense.

My two cents..........Andy.

[Gord - Cambridge]

Hi All

A general reply here....

The belt I bought is not a V belt, it is a link belt & it works really well. It does not ride in the bottom of the pulley, but not all the way up to the top either.

Due to the design of the link belt, I can't see it riding on the top of the pulley, I'm sure it would come off. My 6" Jet jointer V belt was numbered A36 & when I took it to a Napa store to get a new one, he said the belt was in good shape & didn't need to be replaced. So I came home & put it back on. Still, lots of vibration. I finally decided to try these link belts & the difference is just amazing.

The jet pulleys are about the same width as the drum sander,(it has good quality auto belts on it). The link belt gave such amazing results on the jointer, I thought it would do wonders for the drum sander.

Many thanks to all who replied, I sure appreciate it.

[Woody]

Hi,

All this talk about link belts makes me wonder ... my car is 10 years old, and it vibrates a lot. Should I replace it's auto belts with link belts ? LOL.

Woody

[Andy in Georgetown]

It's Ok Woody your car is probably one of the big three, they are designed to vibrate from day one:)
Andy.

[susserj]

I had a little vibration so I decided to try a link belt. I called King and they told me to use a 3/8" belt. LV doesn't sell that size but BB does. I bought it and installed it. The thing kept on stretching. I Removed enough links I thought. Then I replaced the protective belt cover and about 1/2 hour later I hear some bad noises. The cover ended up rubbing against the belt and totally destroyed the belt. I think I've given up on link belts for a while. Maybe one of the belts with rubber teeth will be my next try.