Belt tension question

P

porterb123

Joined
Jun 8, 2009
Messages
97
I just put together a KMG clone purchased in the supplies section of the forum
"Grinder in a box". I have been using a delta grinder with an 8" multi tool for my grinding in the past.
Anyway, the springs used to apply tension to the belt are a variable I'm not sure of. My belts track perfectly but the belt will wander to one side if I grind heavy on it. This is minimized by extending the tooling arm adding more belt tension. Do I need a heavier spring and is there a way to eastablish the correct amount of tension on the belt?

There are pics of the grinder I put together on page three of that thread, if that helps.
Thank you
 
I'd say add another, or change to a bigger spring. I'm using two on mine (hopefully posting pics this weekend), but I like a tight belt. Be sure to take the belt off after use if you go for a very high tension, as belts can stretch over time.

--nathan
 
Thank you Nathan. I'll pick up a stronger spring and check tension and then if needed, add one of the ones I'm using now.
 
It can also mean you require some crowning on your idler wheel. This is easily done with plain ordinary masking tape. Frank
 
Frank Niro said:
It can also mean you require some crowning on your idler wheel. This is easily done with plain ordinary masking tape. Frank
Click to expand...

Would you care to elaborate a little? The drive wheel and the idle wheel are Beaumont parts and have what appears to be a good crown. Adding the tape to make the crown more pronounced at the center? Both the drive and idle wheel or just the idle?
Thanks
 
Yeah, the wheels from Beaumont should work fine. They work fine on my KMG :D. Of course, something to consider is that the KMG has pretty high spring tension...more so than many of the grinders on the market. So that's another vote to increase tension. If you do try the tape, do so at the very center of the tracking wheel. Use elctrical tape and make a double thick layer or so. I don't really think you'll need it, though after you increase spring tension.

--nathan
 
Thank you. As this is my first grinder of this type, I have no frame of reference as to spring and belt tension. Good to know re the KMG.
 
The tighter the better for grinding on a platen or wheel.You can adjust tension for slack belt grinding.If you can push on the belt and get more than a 1/4"-3/8" give,you need more tension.
Stan
 
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