Belt tension?

U

unky_gumbi

Joined
Aug 28, 2009
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So my grinder is very near completion, wheels are lined up, tracking works, glass platen is attached, wiring is done for the drier outlet. Only things left is to make a tool rest and get my VFD here and wired in. I have asked many questions about belt selection, so I think I know where to start there, but just how tensioned should the belt be? My tension spring is on a length of chain so I can set it any where from drum ringing tight to what I hope is just tight enough to keep it from slipping on the drive wheel.

One other thing the belts that I bought to get everything lined up and do some practicing with, just bought some zirc belts for that, have an angular splice, what way should the splice be orientated? with the angle like this "/" or like this "\". The belts for my little 30X1 have directional arrows and they line up like the latter. Or does it really matter?:confused:
 
I like to vary the tension according to what I am doing, but in general you don't want more than necessary (seems like more tension wears things out faster)

If belt manufacturers don't specify direction I run them both directions.

If you find a way to make the angle reverse on the belt splice let us know:)
 
I run my belts a tight as possible.

I've found that if I run J-Weight belts any looser you will have problems getting a flat grind.

what happens is as you press the blade against the platen the belt can "bunch up" at the contact point creating a ripple so to speak.
 
If you find a way to make the angle reverse on the belt splice let us know
Click to expand...

Its easy to reverse the joint angle just turn the belt around so what was the right side is now the left side.
 
unky_gumbi said:
Its easy to reverse the joint angle just turn the belt around so what was the right side is now the left side.
Click to expand...

No, I think William is right.
-made me think about though..

You have to keep the abrasive on the outside

If the splice goes from ie top left to bottom right, \

Turn the belt upside down, it is still top left to bottom right. \

give yourself the thumbs up
draw a slash on your thumb
give yourself the thumbs down
the slash is still in the same orientation


Some of my belts have a directional arrow on the back, some don't
I follow it if it does.


If the belt moves or bunches up when you grind, try more tension.
I use much more tension now than when I first started, took some time to get used to.

Less if you want to slack belt it.

I remove the belt & tension completely when it's unused.
(some claim flatspots on the contact wheel if you don't)
 
sure you can reverse the splice angle. Just hold a belt out in front of you, looking at the splice. Now flip it clockwise/counterclockwise, voila, reversed the direction.
 
12345678910 said:
I remove the belt & tension completely when it's unused.
(some claim flatspots on the contact wheel if you don't)
Click to expand...

I do the same,

never had a problem with flatspots on the contact wheel but I've had brand new belts that ran beautifully the night before wobble like a drunken sailor the next day because I left them on the grinder under tension.
 
I run belts pretty tight too, unless slack belting. If your tracking wanders, your tension may be too loose. I tighten my J-flex belts up to clean flat grinds so they don't wander. Like Stephan says, don't leave them under tension. Every time I realize I've done this, I kick myself because I know that belt is no longer going to track right.

You'll notice if the drive wheel starts slipping due to lack of belt tension.
 
12345678910 said:
If the splice goes from ie top left to bottom right, \

Turn the belt upside down, it is still top left to bottom right. \
Click to expand...

:o Yup the two of you are right, don't know why I was thinking it flip flopped, must have been the early morn only 1 coffee thing, that or I was just brain dead:o

Only the 30X1 belts I have, have the directional arrows so I guess it doesn't matter what way the 2X72s I have go on. And I have intentions of taking the belts off the grinder when not in use
 
Maybe I'm missing something but I haven't had a drink yet today... the arrow on the belt represents the splice... flip the belt and you'd never know, because it's the same orientation except for the arrowhead... SAME THING!!! So if you can make that splice look different by doing anything to your grinding belts I'd really like to see it... wouldn't have brought this up because it doesn't really matter but I had to think about it myself! ;)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAnPfYBCpOU
 
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