2 x 72 Belt movement

colu41

colu41

Joined
Dec 24, 2014
Messages
1,598
I built my 2 x 72 and I can say that it was one of my best knifemaking investments ever. But I was wondering about a little problem I've had since using. When trying to blend guards/bolsters with handles, with a flexible belt, I cant push too hard in the "slacked" area of the belt otherwise it wants to slide off the wheels. I can push one way and it just runs into the tension arm, but if I try pushing on it the other way the belt will slide right off. Is there a trick for preventing this? I would love to get into more hidden tang knives with guards but, usually stay away from them because of this problem. Any help would be great.
 
You need to make a removable platen. Mine did the same thing when I used the slack belt between the tensioner wheel and the platen. I made my platen removable and do my slack belt work there. Mine has a manual tensioner and if I get it really tight it helps.
 
Thanks. I'll have to try that out.

I'm hoping to get a wheel attachment soon, finally. I was watching a video of a Burr King grinder with wheel attachment. Were shaping handles then using the slack to blend the guard, and absolutely no belt movement whatsoever. I suppose thats why they are $3200 machines.
 
Sounds like you might need more tension on your belt as well.
Also a crowned tracking wheel helps, if you don't already have one.
 
My tension wheel I crowned slightly already with electrical,tape. But maybe I'll try more.
I'll see if I can post a quick video
 
Here is a quick video after I tightened the belt a bit And also crowned the tension wheel more. I'm pushing pretty hard here and it didn't fly off!! Thinking to myself why I haven't thought of this before.
[video]https://youtu.be/2GCgbLWoZjk[/video]
 
Seems lots it needs a lot more tension. My belt moves only about half that much when I do the same thing. How big is the tracking arm spring that you are using?
 
Hm. Ok guys. You think I just need a taller, heavier tension spring? Because when I try to move the tool arm out to give it more tension the spring compresses a bit.

My spring specs:

3.5" length, 1" OD, 1/8" Wire diameter, 1.6" Compressed, 56 lbs Max load, 68 lbs p/inch.

Any tips on what I would need to get? Longer length? Higher load?
 
Last edited:
Need a way to compress the spring while you pull the tool arm out, tighten it in place, and THEN release the spring. Maintains good, solid tension on the belt.
 
Matthew Gregory said:
Need a way to compress the spring while you pull the tool arm out, tighten it in place, and THEN release the spring. Maintains good, solid tension on the belt.
Click to expand...

Makes sense. I might need to buy a slightly stronger spring. I'm just not sure how much higher I should go over the 56 lbs max spring I have now.
 
How compressed is the spring you're using now? If it's just being pushed down a little, it might just not be compressed enough, which was why I suggested leverage. 56lbs sounds like more than enough...
 
thats plenty of spring weight, especially since its directly under the tracking wheel. you just need to make sure your spring is compressed fully and your tool arm is pulled out till the belt is tight before locking the set bolt down and releasing the spring tension.
 
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