Replies

1. 
   EdHarrow | Apr 30, 2006 04:45am | #1

   McMaster Carr  http://www.mcmaster.com

1. 
   boise | Apr 30, 2006 06:26am | #3

   Thanks, Ed. I checked McMaster and they're at about $5.25 per foot. I had another tip, for Harbor Freight, at $4/foot (item 43771-OVGA, 5' for $19.99). I'll check that out at a nearby HF store. May not be the same quality as McMaster.

   I appreciate your help!!

   Regards,

   Brian

    

    

2. 
   Tezza | Apr 30, 2006 04:59am | #2

   Try Harbor Freight Tools http://www.harborfreight.com then search on their site for Link Belts, $19.95 for 5 feet, they did have a special on them $13.95 for 5 feet but don't know if this is still going.

1. 
   boise | Apr 30, 2006 06:28am | #4

   I appreciate the tip, Tezza. I check the Harbor Freight website and you're right: Item 43771-OVGA at $19.99 for 5 feet. We have a store here in Boise, so I'll check it out.

   Regards,

   Brian

    

1. 
   Tezza | Apr 30, 2006 07:54am | #5

   Hi BrianHere is a website you might like to look at http://www.paragoncode.com/shop/link_belts/
   it compares the 2 most common link belts, the ones I got from Harbor Freight are the Accu-Link ones and they seem just as good as the Power Twist ones.
   RegardsTerry
   Australia

1. 
   boise | Apr 30, 2006 06:41pm | #6

   Terry,

   That was great info about the two types of belts! Thanks for pointing me to that website, which I've bookmarked.

   I see that you're in Australia. Another good example of the power of the Internet, where in this case, we can exchange information, quickly and globally.

   Regards,

   Brian, in Idaho

    

1. 
   ohcomeon | Apr 30, 2006 08:29pm | #7

   Call before you go.  I wasted time going to the local HF for the link belts and they don't carry them (didn't even have a clue what they were).  More likely you'll have to order them.

   Jake

2. 
   boise | Apr 30, 2006 10:30pm | #8

   Thanks, Jake. Good idea...

3. 
   HowardAcheson | Apr 30, 2006 10:52pm | #9

   If your current belts are old, just changing them for new standard v-belts will reduce almost all the vibration.  Most of the vibration in v-belts occurs when they get old and develop a set to them.  In addition, the longer the belt, the more likely it will cause vibration.  Short belts on drill presses and many bandsaws, are rarely a problem.

   Howie.........
1. 
   boise | Apr 30, 2006 11:54pm | #10

   Thanks, Howie.  That's good info, and in the case of my second-hand Delta drill press, I'll be you're right. Replacing with new V belts may resolve the vibration/noise issue. I've been living with it for a few years, and then remembered how the link belts made a big difference in my contractor tablesaw, so thought I'd get link belts for the drill press. I appreciate your note and advice.

   Regards,

   Brian

4. 
   JohnWW | May 01, 2006 06:28pm | #11

   The nice thing about link belts on a drill press is that you can move the belt from step to step on the pulleys in a few seconds without having to loosen and retighten the motor mounts.

   John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine 

1. 
   [email protected] | Jun 11, 2006 04:25pm | #12

   I just put a link belt on my Delta 14" drill press (1954). My question concerns tension. Is there a rule of thumb so to speak regarding proper tension. I've read where folks suggest making it a bit shorter than the old belt, but isn't that belt stretched out a bit.
   Thanks

1. 
   John_D | Jun 12, 2006 05:27am | #13

   Yeah, I've never really understood that either.  The instructions for one of my machines say to tighten the belt so it "will deflect" about 1/4".  Well heck, how much it deflects depends on how much force I use.  Yet another thing that would be trivial to learn as an apprentice, much harder as a solo woodworker getting help only from books, magazines and the net. :)My goal is for my work to outlast me.  Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.

2. 
   JohnWW | Jun 12, 2006 10:36pm | #14

   Usually with link belts on the drill press you'll find that there is only one correct number of links.  If you add one link more the belt will be quite loose and removing one more link will make it extremely tight, the middle between these two will be right.

   A little more detail on how to set up the belt:  Because the belt can be stretched over the pulleys you don't have to deal with moving the motor to get the correct tension, so just loosen the motor mount bolts and slide the motor towards the other pulley until the motor is against the back of the machine and then tighten the bolts, you'll never have to move it again.  Now just adjust the length of the belt so that you can roll the belt onto the pulleys while you turn them by hand.  If in doubt, go with the looser belt length, you are better off being a bit loose than too tight. 

   You may find that after the belt has been run in for a while you can remove an additional link to tighten it up a bit.

   Hope this helps, John White