Does anyone know what the belt tension is in a belt grinder? I've seen the spring loaded ones from the belt sander sharpening vids, and they dont look like they have much, but the operators familiarity with their equipment could make watching them change belts deceiving. Has anyone built a sander and found out the tension was way to low or high?
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Belt Tension in Belt Grinders
- Thread starter me2
- Start date
It depends on the machine you have. I have an old Square Wheel Grinder which is the fore father of the Wilton machine. I run the belt tension fairly tight as it affects how the tracking of the belt performs. If it is too loose it will not adjust. If it is to tight the belt is apt to break if worked too hard, but have never experienced this. Just my $.02
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2000
- Messages
- 863
Personally, I like a lot of tension. It really helps improve belt stability...it especially reduces "loading shifts" in the belt. This is where the belt tracks in one place without a load...but as you start grinding, the belt wonders to a new position... Then , when the load is removed, the belt returns to it's original tracking spot. The harder you push...the more it moves.
(Not sure if I've described this very well...)
Anyway....belts are tough...and strong...and can take more tension than I ever imagined.
-Rob
(Not sure if I've described this very well...)
Anyway....belts are tough...and strong...and can take more tension than I ever imagined.
-Rob
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2006
- Messages
- 134
when I was buildin my grinder I decided to call 3m which panned out cuz I got hold of one of the belt engineers...I had sprung mine at about 32 lbs and low and behold he said between 30 and 40 lbs.!