Improved performance over standard V belts?

I have read on more than one occasion that the type of drive belt shown above can reduce transmitted vibration and offer improved performance.

Could this be true?

I have to replace two 1300mm belts and was considering trying to source some.

I've heard this too, but my personal preference is to avoid them unless absolutely necessary e.g. on an underdrive Boxford, as they seem noisier than the traditional type.

Rob

Edit - and they are considerably more expensive than the ordinary ones.

Edited By Grindstone Cowboy on 31/12/2020 16:58:55

I think the only real advantage is, you don't have to take the lathe apart to replace them.

There is little to recomend link belt other than it can be easy to fit ! They tend to strech more than a normal V belt are noisy and can introduce vibration. Noel.

Probably less vibration than a rivited type but not as little as a solid Vee belt

The manufacturers claim the opposite. Stretches 0.5 to 1% and reduces vibration.

Maybe that is the only way they can sell a product that maybe has a "temp. fix" feeling about it.

Edited By pgrbff on 31/12/2020 17:25:17

As someone who has actually used one I found on my Myford S7 that the vibration on the original belt from motor to countershaft made it almost unusable in high speed but replacing the belt with a Powertwist belt reduced the vibration considerably.

Thats the end of that argument then!

Tony

I think the variable results/claim/opinions probably come from the fact that some standard vee belts harden with age, and take a ‘set’ when they are left for a while, in tension.

A dramatic improvement can then be seen by changing to any decent belt.

MichaelG.

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P.S. __ Here is Fenner’s claim: 

https://www.fennerdrives.com/product-lines/hpc-v-belts/

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 31/12/2020 17:58:24

Only time that I have used one was a "plastic" like that shown, to replace a Vee belt about to fail on a ML4.

No noise or vibration as far as I could detect, and far better than the old one on its death bed.

The motor was a 3,000 rpm one, too!

Howard.

Edited By Howard Lewis on 31/12/2020 17:54:42

Probably less vibration than a rivited type but not as little as a solid Vee belt.

Agree with first point, but if this is a twin belt installation (as opposed to single belts) I would possibly expect less vibration, so likely a good choice in those circumstances.

Compare here

Standard V-belt

Powertwist

Edited By Niels Abildgaard on 31/12/2020 19:03:57

They are popular with Myford users and anyone who doesn't want to remove the spindle from a belt drive lathe. The Smart & Brown model A with a 1 1/2hp motor has a 1/2", 13mm wide linked belt from the motor to the gearbox as standard. I fitted a rivetted belt of 10mm width to the Tom Senior light vertical with the R8 spindle and 1hp motor. Unfortunately, the washers on the rivets started to come in contact with the narrow part of the pulley vees, and not only caused noise but also localised wear. I had to get a conventional vee belt.

I replaced the original belt on my Boxford AUD with a Fenner Nu T Link V belt two weeks ago and yes it has stretched slightly but this is easily sorted by taking out one link, a ten minute job.

It was expensive at just under £60 for two metres but on the plus side was a doddle to fit and the machine now runs far more smoothly with less noise and the vibration has also reduced so all in all I am happy with my purchase.

Will it last as long as the original, only time will tell.

Joe

I wish I had fitted one to my Hercus when a new belt was needed. It would have saved two weeks of difficult, aggravating, stressful work, and a new pair of tapered roller bearings as I damaged the originals because of my inexperience.

I fitted one to my denford lathe for the same reason it has been mentioned it is easier to fit to a boxford. It is easy to fit.

It has worked fine. Not stretched. About average noise.

Due to price I would not fit one unless I had to. Vee belts work just fine for me.

Agreed found the same with my S7

H

I use one on the modified drive for my VMB where I've eliminated the central pulley and fitted a VFD. Also replaced the drive belt to the spindle on my S7. I think they are very good. I'd like to do something to improve the motor/countershaft drive on the 7 too but that uses poly vee on the big bore version.

I have had a nut t link belt on my S7 for nearly 20 years with no trouble or vibration which is more than can be said for a std v belt which if left for a short time gets a set in it which gives you the vibrations.

.

I can’t really think of any alternative that would be an improvement on a suitably proportioned poly vee

... it’s the optimum design for a drive belt, in my opinion.

MichaelG.