Supergrit felt belt has gap on Delta 1 x 30

[cautioning]

Hello, I got an order of belts from supergrit recently and just tried out the felt belt on my Delta 1 x 30. I noticed it was not feeling smooth though when I tried stropping with it so I turned it off. I looked at where the belt was taped and the felt was like a v there looking from the side with the taped side butted together but the working side had a gap of about 1/8". I was still able to get a shaving sharp edge ridiculously quick on my leatherman wave but it was really annoying trying to hold it steady with the "duh duh duh" feeling of hitting the gap. Is this normal for these types of belts? Is there anything I can do about it?

Thanks

 

[ernestrome]

Hello, I got an order of belts from supergrit recently and just tried out the felt belt on my Delta 1 x 30. I noticed it was not feeling smooth though when I tried stropping with it so I turned it off. I looked at where the belt was taped and the felt was like a v there looking from the side with the taped side butted together but the working side had a gap of about 1/8". I was still able to get a shaving sharp edge ridiculously quick on my leatherman wave but it was really annoying trying to hold it steady with the "duh duh duh" feeling of hitting the gap. Is this normal for these types of belts? Is there anything I can do about it?

Thanks

It happened on mine. I think it is inevitable given the felt is soft and the outside circumference of the belt is slightly longer than the inside. One belt stretched a lot at the tape and they replaced it for me.

If you have the ability to ease the belt tension a little i would try that.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Additionally, felt belts are meant to run slow 100-300 FPM is fine. Most small grinders don't have VS and run at least 10 times too fast. As said, make the belt tension as little as needed.

 

[cautioning]

Thanks for the responses guys. Yeah my sander runs faster... I wish I would have found this out before purchasing. Should I have gone with leather or cork? So my tensioner is the spring type that has a knob on the back for tracking. Is there much danger of it throwing a belt easily if I try to mod it? I would put a crap belt on and stand to the side for safety.

 

[ernestrome]

Thanks for the responses guys. Yeah my sander runs faster... I wish I would have found this out before purchasing. Should I have gone with leather or cork? So my tensioner is the spring type that has a knob on the back for tracking. Is there much danger of it throwing a belt easily if I try to mod it? I would put a crap belt on and stand to the side for safety.

I like the cork pellet belts.