wilton belt alignment??

[Jim Beam]

Ok so i moved the wheels back on my platen attachment so that i could get to the true flat and when i did that i had to move the whole attachment arm forward to get more belt tension (because moving the wheels back created slack and i was already at the top of the tension adjuster) when i went to set the whole thing back up the way i had it originally, i could not get the belt to track steadily, it would move around even with the tension back to the closest setting... so my question is: what is throwing off my belt alignment? is it the wheels of the platen not being the same distance in front of the platen, is it the arm being in the wrong place, does the tension wheel have to be high in its arch to get the belt to track right or is it just a question of tension???
Also, i was wondering if there is any way to keep the belt from running from right to left as i start it up, with a 36 grit belt, it is eating a huge groove in my side door at the bottom. Thanks
j

 

[P.J.]

JB
Sounds like a tension problem, does it run off track when you put pressure on it (grinding)?

------------------
P.J.
P.J. Turner Knife Mfg, Inc.
Uluchet, What's an Uluchet? Find out at...
www.silverstar.com/turnermfg

 

[tom mayo]

big part of the problem is the way you are grinding doesnt lend itself to a great track. try building up the middle of your tracking wheel about 1/4" plus with electricians tape...make sure you have it going the right way...!!!!! i would take off the side cover...it was the first thing i did with mine...and the top cover too...if your platen doesnt go out to where you can get it to be totally tight on the belt with the tracking wheel in the lowest position you need to drill and tap some more holes farther up so you can do just that....i also milled out the web between the slots in all my attachements......good luck...if you need any advice let me know ive had one for almost 18 years....have every attachment known to man for it. first thing (well one of the first as i have already said that) was get a nice thick piece of aluminum 3/8") and made a slack belt arrangement that is far superior to the back side of the platen.. shaped the aluminum like a boomarang, put a two inch wheel on top and bottom....and a proper sized bolt in the middle to go in the slot to hold it on... have much more space to work around the handle of the knife that way....

------------------
http://www.mayoknives.com

 

[tom mayo]

post script...you need to put something on the metal platen.....some micarta or canvas backed graphite (thats what i use but it aint really all that great, wears a groove in it way too fast)...i would opt for micarta, cheap and easy to get....make it a tad wider than the platen and round the sides evenly....put some stove bolt types screws that are countersunk below the surface of the micarta along the centerline and youre good to go....