I have a Shop Fox W1741 jointer (very similar to the Grizzly G0490).
Very nice machine with the exception that the startup belt snap and
power down shudder are annoying. I tried a range of tensions with no
real effect. I know others have had a similar experience. The noise
apparently is not a problem operationally, but I feel that I should
not hear this in a machine that is otherwise a very nice design.
I have tried one of the Power Twist belts in this application.
Although it damps out the vibrations, I see that it does this because
it is quite flexible (it stretches quite a bit). This characteristic
causes problems in this jointer design, because the belt path is
narrow and the large amount of stretch allows the slack side to impact
the edge of the slot for the belt. In addition, the power twist belt
(a 1/2 inch belt) stands proud of the pully and tends to rub on nearby
structures. The old belt was 1/2 inch also (or rather about 0.48 inch
wide), but it did not stand out on the pully as much. I ground out
the belt slot in the cabinet and it has pretty well solved the
problem, but I would like to have seen more improvement (for the $30
the belt cost) with less rework on my part. I am fairly well
satisfied with the end result after my rework.
Here is what I would like to learn about belt designs from this
effort. I know that the newer tablesaws (SawStop, for example) have
the flat ribbed belts, but I also know that the components are quite
expensive. My questions are:
1. Are these flat ribbed belt designs better suited to an application
such as this (a pretty powerful 3 HP motor that obviously stretches
the belts on startup)?
2, Is there a newer belt technology that still fits the standard V-
belt pullies, but possibly addresses the stretch and control problems
in this design?
3. Has anyone used the 3/8 inch Power Twist design on this jointer?
I don't feel moved to make another $30 purchase to find out.
eganders wrote:
> I have a Shop Fox W1741 jointer (very similar to the Grizzly G0490).
> Very nice machine with the exception that the startup belt snap and
> power down shudder are annoying. I tried a range of tensions with
> no
> real effect. I know others have had a similar experience. The
> noise
> apparently is not a problem operationally, but I feel that I should
> not hear this in a machine that is otherwise a very nice design.
>
> I have tried one of the Power Twist belts in this application.
> Although it damps out the vibrations, I see that it does this
> because
> it is quite flexible (it stretches quite a bit). This
> characteristic
> causes problems in this jointer design, because the belt path is
> narrow and the large amount of stretch allows the slack side to
> impact
> the edge of the slot for the belt. In addition, the power twist
> belt
> (a 1/2 inch belt) stands proud of the pully and tends to rub on
> nearby
> structures. The old belt was 1/2 inch also (or rather about 0.48
> inch
> wide), but it did not stand out on the pully as much. I ground out
> the belt slot in the cabinet and it has pretty well solved the
> problem, but I would like to have seen more improvement (for the $30
> the belt cost) with less rework on my part. I am fairly well
> satisfied with the end result after my rework.
>
> Here is what I would like to learn about belt designs from this
> effort. I know that the newer tablesaws (SawStop, for example) have
> the flat ribbed belts, but I also know that the components are quite
> expensive. My questions are:
>
> 1. Are these flat ribbed belt designs better suited to an
> application
> such as this (a pretty powerful 3 HP motor that obviously stretches
> the belts on startup)?
Many Harley-Davidson motorcycles come with belt-drive standard.
That's over 50 horsepower (Harley doesn't give horsepower specs
anymore, just torque) and the belt is exposed to weather besides. No
problems.
> 2, Is there a newer belt technology that still fits the standard V-
> belt pullies, but possibly addresses the stretch and control
> problems
> in this design?
> 3. Has anyone used the 3/8 inch Power Twist design on this jointer?
> I don't feel moved to make another $30 purchase to find out.
Have you tried an aramid belt? Should address any stretch problem.
Gates "Predator" is one brand that should be fairly easy to find.
Grainger lists aramid belts in sizes from 30 inches on up.
--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
"eganders" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:1f3c43b8-53a6-4558-a22e-bc4bbcb9ae4e@e39g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
Snip
>
> 1. Are these flat ribbed belt designs better suited to an application
> such as this (a pretty powerful 3 HP motor that obviously stretches
> the belts on startup)?
Typically belts to not stretch because of the HP. They stretch from use
just as a chain would stretch. These ribbed/serpentine belts have been
used on automotive applications for 25+ years and do well on small high rpm
pullys.
> 2, Is there a newer belt technology that still fits the standard V-
> belt pullies, but possibly addresses the stretch and control problems
> in this design?
Perhaps new to wood working equipment but not new to todays standards.
There are industrial and automotive belts. Typically industrial are not as
well balanced or as strong as automotive belts. I would try an automotive
v-belt that is notched on the back. These notched belts are suited for
tight radius pullies much like those seen on wood working equipment. The
industrial belts do better at slower speeds and on larger pullies. Look for
Dayco, Gates, or Goodyear belts, in that order.