Drive Belt on Rikon 10-325 Keeps Slipping Off
leeohmart
| Posted in General Discussion on
I have a Rikon 10-325 bandsaw on which the drive belt has begun slipping off the tensioning wheel. The original belt was replaced some time ago with an HASMX 4-rib drive belt. Has anyone else experienced this and what was the solution?
Replies
The part number you gave does not appear to be a Rikon part. If it's a third party belt it's always possible the belt is just a tiny bit out of spec. If it's a Rikon belt, it might just have worn more quickly, especially if you use it a lot. I'd replace it with a Rikon belt. I've had success with Rikon support, but it is inconsistent these days, but it's worth a try.
Thanks. I'll give them a jingle on Monday.
It seems the belt is unusually sensitive and prone to coming loose regardless of how loose or tight to which it was adjusted, although I can occasionally adjust the tension so it will only run for a couple of minutes before failure. I did wonder if the belt needed to be replaced again. The belt that came with the unit ran until it shredded. The grooves in the HASMX 4-rib belt I have on it now measure the same depth as a spare, so it seems unlikely that a new belt with solve the problem. So, I watched what videos there were on replacing the belt and noticed they all did something I had not done, that being removal of the lower wheel. After removal I ran an awl through all the grooves (there was little or nothing to remove) and then touched it up for good measure with a wire brush with the motor going. I then reassembled everything and turned it on. Lo and behold that did the trick. What I actually did I'll never know. Maybe it was the shop gremlins playing tricks on me.
Sounds like your plan came together perfectly. Who doesn't love a happy ending?
I know. I just wish I knew why.
What did it is probably taking it apart and putting it back in the right alignment, there is no reason that a well tensioned belt on a bandsaw would wear away unless it’s the original one that is often a very low quality belt.
Similar things have happened with other tools and my motorcycles. Weird. The aftermarket belt on the machine has hardly any wear at all and it's one of the ones in the shop that get regular use.