Here's everything you ever want to know about timing belts, and
tons more trivia, besides:
Basically, if the belt is centered on the pulleys, everything is
fine. If the belt "walks" from one side to the other when you change
from forward to reverse, the alignment is probably OK, but the
twists/tensions of the reinforcing cords in the belt are not properly
balanced. Of course, the vendor that claims that sells "premium"
belts. Beware of idlers - if they ride on the outside of the belt,
they shorten its life.
Roy
(Retired Navy engineering type trying to keep the words short enough
for fresh air types.)
--- In 7x12minilathe@..., "Capt Ken Appleby
<captkenn@m...>" <captkenn@m...> wrote:
Hi Jerry,
Thanks for your response. I haven't had much dealings with belt
drives, now I have two, lathe and band saw, so I am being ultra
cautious I suppose. There is no noise and the belt has run quite
heavily, pretty well every day for the last six months. It shows no
wear on the 'teeth' of the belt, although I noticed this evening
what 'could be' a little separation of the surface on the back of
it.
I have ordered some new ones but won't get them until the New Year,
so I will try elsewhere, and change it anyway. I will take your
advice and check everything else too.
Regards
Ken
--- In 7x12minilathe@..., Jerry Smith <jfsmith@a...>
wrote:
Capt Ken,
As to your question one, I would with a lot of belt
driven
things
in my shop and lateral moves, pitch, etc, etc can cause a belt to
run in an
awkward way. You may have something not centered, or bent or a
rough spot
or even out of round. There are so many minor things that can
cause
the
problem.
You may want to inspect everything on this beast, to
make
sure
it's properly working. The normal case is something is just
noisy,
in the
extreme case, the belt wears un evenly and it breaks.
Jerry
Q1.
I have just refitted the power belt as I knew it was running off
centre - out and away from the lathe. I used Frank Hoose Jr's
advice
on setting the motor, but no matter what adjustments I make it
stll
wants to run right next to the edge. I notice he says this
adjustment 'should' cure the problem. Do I detect a little idea
that
it could be something else? Something bent?
There is what looks to me like a slight 'flap' in the straight
part
between the upper and lower gears, but maybe I am looking for it?
It's not hitting anything - I would just like to see it running
dead
centre.
