Fenner Drives Link Belts

[Mirage_Man]

I thought I'd start a new thread for the those of us that are using the Fenner Drives or other branded link type belts on our machines. I just ordered some for myself and a couple other forum members using belt driven milling machines.

Based on what I could gather the 5/8" wide belting was what was the replacement for the RF31 style machine we're using. So that's what I ordered. The box arrived today.

I am however having an issue. The belt rides higher in the grooves of the pulley than the standard belt. Because of that as the machine runs the belt slaps the column. I know Mac said his did that when he installed his link belts but for some reason, and I can't remember why it doesn't now.

If anyone has any tips it would be appreciated.

Edit: It was a matter of shortening the spindle belt one link which brought the center pulley out enough to clear the column.

 

[gadget_lover]

If anyone has any tips it would be appreciated.

Is it possible that the belt is a little longer or shorter than the original? I can envision a situation where a different length belt will have your motor pivoted out (or in) so that the idler pulley changes location.

Luckily, you can add or remove a link easily AND put it back.


I used "Powertwist" link belts bought at "Woodworks" for my mill, and used the leftover (with the purchase of a 1 foot add-on) for my band-saw. They both run much smoother.


Daniel

 

[StrikerDown]

Brian,

I noticed that the front belt on my mill is closer to the column than the rear. I wonder if you can shorten the front belt and lengthen the rear. I am thinking that it might move the center pulley to the front and allow more clearance.

Ray

 

[darkzero]

Ive also read that the Fenner Drive belts ride high on the pulley but for me it doesn't really sit that much higher than my original belt. Then again, I'm pretty much using the smallest size they have.

Have you measured the actual width of you original belt? The belt on mine was metric (0-710) & I couldn't find any conversions. I read that metric belts have a bit different profile & there really isn't an actual conversion to US. I asked Will if he remembered the belt size he used since he had it on his. He thought he remembered it was 4L/A but wasn't for sure since he no longer had the HF 8x14. I didn't want to risk it so I measured the width across the top & ordered the size using this page for reference: http://www.gizmology.net/pulleysbelts.htm

This is the only pic I have right now but if you look closely I don't think it rides that much more higher than my original belt. I know your belt is a couple of sizes up but I suppose it might be some bit of reference?

I love the belt, I find that it's noisy if not tensioned enough, & louder when spinning in reverse. Then again it's not recommended to be driven in reverse.

EDIT: Oops, nevermind, didn't see "mill".

 

[StrikerDown]

Brian,

I noticed that the front belt on my mill is closer to the column than the rear. I wonder if you can shorten the front belt and lengthen the rear. I am thinking that it might move the center pulley to the front and allow more clearance.

Ray

Brian,

I just checked my mill and that should work, If you loosen the center (Idler) pulley and pull the front belt shorter it moves the center pulley towards the front and centers it better on the column leaving plenty of clearance both front and rear. 1 or 2 less links on the front and the same added to the rear should do it.

PS: How many feet of belt do we need?

 

[Tekno_Cowboy]

How do you keep your gears clean? Mine keep getting covered in black grease/oil.

 

[DonShock]

......I asked Will if he remembered the belt size he used since he had it on his. He thought he remembered it was 4L/A but wasn't for sure since he no longer had the HF 8x14.........

I bought Will's HF 8x14. I'll try to remember to take a look at the belt size when I get home in the morning and post it here.

 

[Mirage_Man]

Brian,

I just checked my mill and that should work, If you loosen the center (Idler) pulley and pull the front belt shorter it moves the center pulley towards the front and centers it better on the column leaving plenty of clearance both front and rear. 1 or 2 less links on the front and the same added to the rear should do it.

PS: How many feet of belt do we need?

I figured out that I needed to remove a link on the belt that drives the spindle and that did the trick. I've spent the last hour or so playing with the infinitely quieter, smother running mill. :thumbsup: There's definitely a noticeable difference. There's just one caveat. When there's a belt in the top position of the center pulley you can't close the lid. Because the belt rides higher in the pulleys it rubs on the inside of it. So you will have to either run the mill with the lid open when in that position or cut a small portion of the inside of the lid out to close it. I'll just run it with the lid open when I need to.

I'll take some pictures tomorrow when I have some more energy. I need to get to bed.

As to the length? I'm not certain but there's definitely enough for 3 machines. I will take the belts off tomorrow if I get a chance and count the links (and measure).

 

[StrikerDown]

Check if adjusting the belt length might move the idler pulley to where it won't rub. Possibly if you get it centered in the peak of the angle of the cover on the right side.

Back to the smoother mill... Did you notice if the quality of the cut is improved?


Getting anxious... let me know how much and where to send it!

 

[Mirage_Man]

Check if adjusting the belt length might move the idler pulley to where it won't rub. Possibly if you get it centered in the peak of the angle of the cover on the right side.

I suppose I could mess with it some more but I just don't have the energy right now. Even if it can't be accomplished I really don't think it's a big deal.

Back to the smoother mill... Did you notice if the quality of the cut is improved?

Short answer... Yes .

Getting anxious... let me know how much and where to send it!

Send me your zip code and when I figure out how much the shipping is I'll let you know.

 

[precisionworks]

cut a small portion of the inside of the lid out to close it.

That's exactly what I did to mine, although the front latch is the only one I normally snap shut.

infinitely quieter, smother running mill.

I knew you'd like them. My first Power Twist belts were purchased before Al Gore invented the internet, and went on the Delta 12" disc / 6" belt sander. That machine vibrated like a washing machine on high spin, but those belts cut the vibration in half or more. They were next installed on the table saw & band saw, with the same effect.

New belts are really stiff, and will break in over time (just like a conventional V belt). You'll want to recheck belt tension after running for the first hour or so, and keep an eye on it for a few weeks. Since the mill belt gets moved frequently, you'll notice when it gets "too easy" to move.

If you do need to add or remove a link, a pair of long nose pliers makes it easy to do.

 

[DonShock]

DarkZero: The belt that Will had installed on the HF I bought from him is marked as follows:

6007 Fenner Drives Powerwist Plus A

 

[wquiles]

Glad to see others are also using these GREAT belts - I use them in my old 8x, my current HF metal bandsaw, and in my PM12x36 lathe (uses two belts in parallel). I will be getting one for my knee mill shortly as well, specially now that I finally got the gibs adjusted properly

Will

 

[StrikerDown]

Short answer... Yes .

Excellent! That is what I'm hoping for.



Send me your zip code and when I figure out how much the shipping is I'll let you know.

PM sent.

Edit:

Brian,

If you want I can send you a UPS return shipping label with the check that way you can just give the package to the nearest UPS store or truck driver already pre paid. I just need to know the shipping weight.

 

[darkzero]

DarkZero: The belt that Will had installed on the HF I bought from him is marked as follows:

6007 Fenner Drives Powerwist Plus A

Thanks for sharing that info Don. I'm using a different one.

 

[StrikerDown]

Brian,


Thanks again!

 

[wquiles]

Brian,

Today, I just make some chips for the first time in my knee mill - the machine cuts great!. I checked the belts, and they are the B size, and the front and back ones measure 5/8" in width, so I guess the belts that you got would work in my knee mill as well.

What was the size you got again?

Will

 

[darkzero]

Brian,

Today, I just make some chips for the first time in my knee mill - the machine cuts great!. I checked the belts, and they are the B size, and the front and back ones measure 5/8" in width, so I guess the belts that you got would work in my knee mill as well.


Will

B/5L-Section PowerTwist Plus V-Belt 6' - Part Number: 0418050SL $57.09

B/5L-Section PowerTwist Plus V-Belt 25' - Part Number: 0405050 $215.75

At http://www.fennerdrives.com/shop/

I got mine from Sulphur Grove Tool on ebay. They have the 5/8" in [URL="http://cgi.ebay.com/Fenner-Drives-Power-Twist-Plus-B-5-8-4-section_W0QQitemZ280301722132QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item280301722132&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116"]4' for $35 shipped[/url]

:wave:

 

[wquiles]

B/5L-Section PowerTwist Plus V-Belt 6' - Part Number: 0418050SL $57.09

B/5L-Section PowerTwist Plus V-Belt 25' - Part Number: 0405050 $215.75

At http://www.fennerdrives.com/shop/

I got mine from Sulphur Grove Tool on ebay. They have the 5/8" in [URL="http://cgi.ebay.com/Fenner-Drives-Power-Twist-Plus-B-5-8-4-section_W0QQitemZ280301722132QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item280301722132&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116"]4' for $35 shipped[/url]

:wave:

Thank you - I went ahead and ordered from them

Will

 

[Drywolf]

This place has it reasonably priced.
Frank

Powertwist

Products
------------------------------------------------------
1 x 0405010-5, 3L, 150-600, 3/8 in, 5 ft. PowerTwist Plus (0405010-5) = $24.62
------------------------------------------------------
Sub-Total: $24.62
United States Postal Service (1 x 1lb ) (Priority Mail: Estimated 1 - 3 Days): $7.95
Total: $32.57