Link Belts - Worth it?

[69_knives]

I'm checking some prices on link belts and for 5' retail price is more than half what I paid for a new 2HP motor, so I wanted some opinions from those who use them.

The reason I'm looking into it is because I use the weight of the motor for tension at the moment and the motor has a slight bounce and maybe isn't so good for the bearings; from the videos I've seen, the link belts seem to resolve any bounce quite well.

Should I go for the belt or just fasten the slack with a bungee cord?

Thanks.

Steve

 

[Mark Redmon]

Are you asking about these?

http://www.usaknifemaker.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=59&products_id=689

I bought mine from Tracey when I set up my Coote, and have no regrets. The flexibility of setup and overall strength of these belts are well worth the extra cost IMO. I had an issue where I was getting a little squeel after I started my grinder (slipping)... removed a link, and problem solved!

 

[WadeH]

Tracey sells it for just over 7 bucks a foot, so for 5 foot of it will be between 35-40 dollars. If that is over half of what your motor costs then where did you get if from? Most likely you will not need over 3 feet of it, unles you have a very different set up from most people.

 

[JTknives]

Are you asking about these?

http://www.usaknifemaker.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=59&products_id=689

I bought mine from Tracey when I set up my Coote, and have no regrets. The flexibility of setup and overall strength of these belts are well worth the extra cost IMO. I had an issue where I was getting a little squeel after I started my grinder (slipping)... removed a link, and problem solved!

I got my link belt from him and love it. i would not use a regular belt now after using the link.

 

[balibalistic]

Sweet!! i'm going to order some for my mill and grinder tracy's got all the goods these days!!

 

[jrhart50]

I love mine and they seem to last well

 

[69_knives]

Cool; I've made an order. Thanks for the responses.

 

[Justin.Mercier]

Personally i dont like link belts, i tension my belts with springs under the motor =)

 

[tmickley]

link belts work IMHO..I thought they were hooey until I tried one and then I got myself set up as a dealer for them. when you install them, make them snug and after running them a bit see if you can take one link out as they will stretch just slightly. Also, and this is a big one, the link knobs/bumps go into the pulley groove not up! (easy mistake to make)

 

[JTknives]

link belts work IMHO..I thought they were hooey until I tried one and then I got myself set up as a dealer for them. when you install them, make them snug and after running them a bit see if you can take one link out as they will stretch just slightly. Also, and this is a big one, the link knobs/bumps go into the pulley groove not up! (easy mistake to make)

and don't let them bumps fool you thy run very smooth.

 

[Will Leavitt]

When I used to cut model airplane kits we converted over to link belts.... yowza probably the cheapest and easiest improvement you can make to a tuned machine.