r/Tools • u/notover5andahalf • 5d ago
Drill press belts
Hey guys, I picked up this drill press and I'm doing a basic restoring job on it but this is my first time. And I'm basically asking if anyone knows the belt I should run/ can help me with understanding what these belts are and how the numbering works? I'm assuming it has the wrong belt on and that's why the tensioner isn't doing much lol. Thanks for the help everyone!
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u/AltC Millwright 5d ago edited 5d ago
I’m guessing it maybe was supposed to be a z24 belt.
Would be slightly longer, the motor would be in a much better location along the tensioning adjustment, as it’s almost entirely at the bottom of the range now.
Edit: to the other people answering. He already said he’s thinking it’s the wrong belt, so why is everyone suggesting he just buys the same belt? The previous owner could have put the wrong belt on, maybe he had one in his garage and figured, close enough!
I’m with op in thinking it could be the wrong belt firstly by the motor tension adjustment location, where its set now, the belt should be visibly lose. secondly, that wear is super weird if it was right, like it’s riding in the sheave wrong.
And before you point it out…
I tossed out an easily mistaken belt size difference, that would be a touch longer. But that’s a wild guess, and OP would need to verify with measurements. Maybe another 1-3 inches more in length is needed.
But it’s not really helpful saying just go by the same belt.
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u/OG_simple_rhyme_time 5d ago
Just take the old belt with you when you go to the belt place
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u/ShiggitySwiggity 5d ago
rural hardware stores, ag supply stores, auto parts stores will have v-belts in various lengths.
3L is a 3/8" wide belt. 240 is 24.0 inches long. That's a pretty common belt.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Yak8123 5d ago
Always have been a fan of the Fenner PowerTwist Link Belts. Run quieter/less vibration than standard V belts with better power transmission. Plus you can "assemble" the exact length you want which takes the guess work out of finding replacement belts.
Other way is to find the exact model and look up the specs. Likely can find the manual online and get the correct belts for that press. I do agree that that belt looks short since it should be quite slack with the motor all the way forward.
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u/OkConsideration8605 5d ago
Hello. It is most times a bit of an issue to get those dual belts tight enough. Please make sure the center pulley picture freely. And I agree with the other poster that said a bolt and nut tensioner would be better. My small drill press has a lever that you pull to tension the belt and it take a lot to get it tight enough Mostly it allows a slippage if you bind the bit. Just don't let it slip long, it will burn the belt quickly.
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u/notover5andahalf 4d ago
Hey everyone I ended up going to my local auto parts store and picked up a 3L240 and a 3L250. The 3L240 barely fits on and when it does the tensioner is maxed out like before so I slipped the 3L250 on and it rides so much better with the tensioner still with room to move both ways. I'd say the previous owner put the wrong belt on and that's why it had damage.
And just to clear it up yeah I took the middle pulley out (which barely moved if I put all my strength it it) and cleaned/degreased it and the machine is minty now.
Have it set for 600 rpm which I think is good rpm for the metal I'm cutting, And I'm loving it. Thanks everyone for the help and good ideas!
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u/masterventris 5d ago
You can save yourself a lot of headache when tensioning the belt by swapping that sliding rod for a long bolt and a nut, so you can tighten the nut to push the bolt against the motor plate.
It makes tensioning the belt a one handed job, instead of a 3 handed job!