Hello:
I just got a General 50-185 contractor's saw. I have been having a heck
of a time putting it together. I had a lot of vibration, so I called up
my local Woodcraft to see if they carried a link belt. They said they
did. I told the guy that the pulley was 3/8" not 1/2". He said that the
belt would work just fine. He even asked what kind of saw I had, "Yup,
this is the belt for that saw."
I drove over got the belt, put it on and began revolving the assembly
by hand slowly. When I did, the belt popped off and the motor dropped-
SLAM! hard into the saw. I did not think to hold the motor up. The most
stupid part is that I tried it again and the same exact thing happened-
SLAM! All the weight of the motor. This was NOT the belt for my saw.
My question is- could I have damaged my new saw by dropping the motor?
If it is possible what would be damaged and how could I test it to find
out? This is my first saw, so I am not all that educated.
Thanks!
Bob
Actually, I don't think my insanity came into play here- just my
stupidity. There is a fine line though and sometimes its hard for me to
tell which is at play.
What I am concerned with being damaged is the two long bars that
connect to the trunnion- the motor is connected to those via a hinge
like thingy. What would be symptoms that they were dammaged?
> Bob,
> I think link belts are way overrated in here. (Spare me the flames)
> The belt vibration is a result of the belt not being used. In, addition,
> OEM belts are generally stiff anyway. If you use the saw with any
> regularity it will smooth out and last a long time. However, long periods
> of in-activity will bring on the vibration again until use/heat smoothes it
> out again.
I have to agree here. I had the same belt on my cheap import
for about 15+ years. No problems.
Now I have this 3 belt, 3 HP cabinet saw.
Hope the belts are as good. It sure runs smooth!
Griz 1023SL.
Lou
>Bod said,
> I just got a General 50-185 contractor's saw. I have been having a heck
> of a time putting it together. I had a lot of vibration, so I called up
> my local Woodcraft to see if they carried a link belt.
snip
> I drove over got the belt, put it on and began revolving the assembly
> by hand slowly. When I did, the belt popped off and the motor dropped-
> SLAM! hard into the saw.
snip
> My question is- could I have damaged my new saw by dropping the motor?
snip
> This is my first saw, so I am not all that educated.
Bob,
I think link belts are way overrated in here. (Spare me the flames)
The belt vibration is a result of the belt not being used. In, addition,
OEM belts are generally stiff anyway. If you use the saw with any
regularity it will smooth out and last a long time. However, long periods
of in-activity will bring on the vibration again until use/heat smoothes it
out again.
I doubt you have done any damage to your saw. As its a new saw, you will
have to go through the tune-up process anyway. Any problems will arise when
you attempt to correct the factory settings.
Dave
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Owen Lawrence wrote:
>
...
> My saw DOES experience long periods of inactivity. Do you suppose a link
> belt might be a good alternative in my case?
>
First, do you have any indication that the existing belt is a problem?
If a belt isn't brand new, it only takes a few minutes or so at most for
it to warm up and flex again...I'm w/ those who think link belts are,
for the most part, a gimmick. If the equipment, motor and pulleys are
balanced and in line, it's unlikely the belt is an issue unless it's a
really cheap pos or worn out (which takes a <long> time w/ a quality
belt in a home shop if properly tensioned--the belts on my PM 66 are
still the originals and it's about 20 years old now--gets a fair amount
of usage but certainly not all day, every day...
[email protected] wrote:
> Actually, I don't think my insanity came into play here- just my
> stupidity. There is a fine line though and sometimes its hard for me to
> tell which is at play.
>
> What I am concerned with being damaged is the two long bars that
> connect to the trunnion- the motor is connected to those via a hinge
> like thingy. What would be symptoms that they were dammaged?
>
The symptom would be "bent." If "the hinge
thingy" swings up and down freely, it is likely
ok. All the two bars do is move in and out of the
trunnion to adjust the belt tension. If they
aren't bent and can be moved, they are ok. If the
pulley continues to be aligned ok, then there is
no problem.
<[email protected]> wrote in message
>
>
> My question is- could I have damaged my new saw by dropping the motor?
> If it is possible what would be damaged and how could I test it to find
> out? This is my first saw, so I am not all that educated.
>
Spin the shaft by hand. Spin easily? If so, plug it in and power it up.
If not, you could have done some damage.
[email protected] wrote:
> My question is- could I have damaged my new saw by dropping the motor?
Yes, definitely. Dropping the motor changed the specific gravity of the
consituant elements, and the entire saw is now, most likely, radioactive.
It's a ticking time bomb that could blow at any second. I suggest you
deliver the saw to my doorstep so I can take care of this problem for you.
I will dispose of the saw in a safe manner.
--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
http://rosegarden.sourceforge.net/tutorial/
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Which shaft to spin?
>
The one on the motor. The one on the saw won't be affected at all. Most
likely you are OK as motors are pretty tough.
On 24 Mar 2005 14:42:32 -0800, [email protected] wrote:
>Which shaft to spin?
Push the boat out - try spinning both of them. I guess you're
planning on using both ?
The Rockwell 14" BS I inherited from a neighbor shuddered as it was
winding down after switching to OFF. Link belt corrected the
"problem".
On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 08:56:31 -0600, Duane Bozarth
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Owen Lawrence wrote:
>>
>...
>> My saw DOES experience long periods of inactivity. Do you suppose a link
>> belt might be a good alternative in my case?
>>
>
>First, do you have any indication that the existing belt is a problem?
>If a belt isn't brand new, it only takes a few minutes or so at most for
>it to warm up and flex again...I'm w/ those who think link belts are,
>for the most part, a gimmick. If the equipment, motor and pulleys are
>balanced and in line, it's unlikely the belt is an issue unless it's a
>really cheap pos or worn out (which takes a <long> time w/ a quality
>belt in a home shop if properly tensioned--the belts on my PM 66 are
>still the originals and it's about 20 years old now--gets a fair amount
>of usage but certainly not all day, every day...
> I think link belts are way overrated in here. (Spare me the flames)
> The belt vibration is a result of the belt not being used. In, addition,
> OEM belts are generally stiff anyway. If you use the saw with any
> regularity it will smooth out and last a long time. However, long periods
> of in-activity will bring on the vibration again until use/heat smoothes
it
> out again.
My saw DOES experience long periods of inactivity. Do you suppose a link
belt might be a good alternative in my case?
- Owen -
Your message reminded of the definition of insanity which goes something
like "Repeating an identical action with the expectation of attaining
different results". I'm often reminded of that definition as I'm guilty of
doing it myself (often).
If the motor shaft spins freely with no "bad" sounds, and there is no
visible damage, it is more than likely unharmed. Those motor housings are
pretty tough and a short fall like that isn't likely to do any damage.
Bejay
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello:
>
> I just got a General 50-185 contractor's saw. I have been having a heck
> of a time putting it together. I had a lot of vibration, so I called up
> my local Woodcraft to see if they carried a link belt. They said they
> did. I told the guy that the pulley was 3/8" not 1/2". He said that the
> belt would work just fine. He even asked what kind of saw I had, "Yup,
> this is the belt for that saw."
>
> I drove over got the belt, put it on and began revolving the assembly
> by hand slowly. When I did, the belt popped off and the motor dropped-
> SLAM! hard into the saw. I did not think to hold the motor up. The most
> stupid part is that I tried it again and the same exact thing happened-
> SLAM! All the weight of the motor. This was NOT the belt for my saw.
>
> My question is- could I have damaged my new saw by dropping the motor?
> If it is possible what would be damaged and how could I test it to find
> out? This is my first saw, so I am not all that educated.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Bob
>