Link Belt vs V belt for shop tools

[@jeromejt62]

It looks like it was installed opposite of motor rotation. I could be wrong tho. I believe the trailing edges of the belt angles should follow the direction of rotation. It appears as though your belt was turned around backwards.

[@jarmstrong2843]

You installed the belt backwards. It does have a specific rotation direction that may instruction don’t tell the user about. Flip ends of the belt on the pulleys and see if that solves the problem.

[@SilverBack.]

I am sure you check this but is it the right width belt ? as you said that it looked like it was riding up and looked to be twisted

[@NV..V]

Great video Steve - thanks

[@Arykperry]

I hate in when people post problems with no solution !!! We’ve all got problems !!

[@steveswoodworking2504]

You are right! I wish I had a solution, I liked the idea of the link belt. My new V belt is still working great though. No more vibrations. A couple people said I put it on backwards. I should research that and check it out. I didn't think I'd done anything dumb, but anything is possible.

[@leighjones7575]

Maybe the link belt Is the wrong width, but Just fitting new belts every few years will remove any vibration problems , so unless the v belt will last 10 years it won't be cheaper plus the link belts make more noise

[@steveswoodworking2504]

I measured the pulley very carefully, I'm fairly positive it was the right width. I've been wondering more if I made it too tight. It seemed very tight, and I think I followed the directions exactly, but maybe I messed up somewhere? Who knows, but the vibration sure was gone while the V belt was on there. The vibration is still fairly low now, if it gets bad again, I'll just replace with a regular belt.

[@DennyMK007]

@@steveswoodworking2504 you probably have to check the ball bearings and their housing. Shouldn’t have that much of vibration to begin with, but as you said, you might have been over tightening the belt. That will wear the ball bearings faster because of the tension and friction which creates more heat.

[@rickroyal8552]

If you are using cast pulleys try replacing with machined pullys

[@steveswoodworking2504]

I had heard this. If I decide to try a link belt again, I might try upgrading that pulley, which is the original cast version. The only other thing I can think of is maybe it was too tight. I followed the directions, but maybe I misunderstood something - as it seemed very tight. Or maybe I had it just right - I don't know.