Toolheads..

[{OF}BadDaWg]

[{OF}G_Man]

Originally Posted by xprime

Anyone use one of these: http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/product...ctgroup_id=555

Haven't seen one of those types of belts since ancient times. I used to use those types of linked belts on very old type of equipment (Like early 1900's vintage equipment) that was usually low rpm. This belt is using some higher tech materials, but looks like the same style linked belt. I don't know if it would be actually quieter or not.

I have had the same experience as you with my 10" Table saw with the same type of motor weight belt tensioning system. Where my belts would get screwed up is when I was hogging material through the saw blade, and it stalled the blade, but the motor kept running and burned mini notches in the belt, so the belt would get rough and cause vibration. This is a particular problem because the pulley sizes on the motor is a small diameter, and doesn't help the belt gripping power much. I bought a high quality relpacment notched belt. I bought this at a local industrial supplier of sheaves and belts, couplings, etc. This belt resists the routing out of the belt that occurs when the blade stalls and the motor pulley continues turning, and the notched (looks like gears) belt is required because of the small diameter of the pulley so that it can bend around the small diameter and still grip. On other equipment where I have had room I have increased the pulley sizes on both the drive and driven ends, being careful to maintain the same size difference ratio so my rpm is correct. This allows for better belt grip, and smoother performance. I didn't have room to do this on my table saw, so I did belt replacement. I also remove the belt when I'm done using the saw and it's going to set for a while. Old belts also get hard, and aren't as supple to bend around the small pulley diameters. They tend to get that memory you are talking about, and also cause added vibration.

My 2 cents worth.