To "dress" your belt.....or not

[JPG]

I think the no dressing advice is for the V not the polly V belt. The V belt has to slip on the sheaves as you adjust speed. Dressing helps belts to not slip so you would not want dressing on the V Belt.

I do not think the dressing would interfere with the sheaves. The belt movement is caused by tension changes in the belt when the control sheave is moved. Once a setting has been 'responded' to, the dressing would help prevent load slipping.

[billmayo]

I do not think the dressing would interfere with the sheaves. The belt movement is caused by tension changes in the belt when the control sheave is moved. Once a setting has been 'responded' to, the dressing would help prevent load slipping.

I use a spray can belt conditioner (auto stores), not a dressing stick on all the Shopsmith belts in my shop. I find it keeps the belts flexible and from drying out and cracking. I spray all new belts before storing them inside out for this reason. Also prevents slipping when belt tension is too loose.

I find many belts will squeak and make other strange noises when dry. The belt conditioner help prevents the different and strange noises from the belts. I have not had any belt sticking to the sheaves or pulleys when using the belt conditioner or seen any problem relating to the belt conditioner use.

This is from one of the belt conditioner Product Description I use:
For automotive, hardware and industrial use. Stops belt slippage, increases belt power to up to 50%. Prolongs belt life by preventing dry rot and air rot. Performs well under wet conditions. Will not collect dirt or dust; will not glaze. Use on canvas, fabric, leather, rubber, auto fan belts, "v" belts and industrial belt drives.

[allsas]

Belt Dressing will be applied to Poly V.

The belt dressing quieted the belt but it is starting to make noise again. I have to do the cleaning and maintenace on the headstock and will apply belt dressing to both the poly V and V belt.

The belts are older and have had a fair amount of use.

[tomsalwasser]

I use a spray can belt conditioner (auto stores), not a dressing stick on all the Shopsmith belts in my shop.

Bill and group, can you share the name on the can of the product you use?

Noticed an odd noise coming from my headstock yesterday which I traced to the drive belt. Just to be sure I lubricated the sheaves, which were overdue. I'd like to put a little dressing on that belt and want to use a good product. Thanks for your thoughts.

Best,
Tom

[dusty]

Did anyone hear from Shopsmith as to why Shopsmith feels belt dressing should not be used?

I have read through all of the appropriate documentation that I have and I find no reference to belt dressing (either pro or con). This is an old thread so maybe it is impossible to determine but it would be good to know who at Shopsmith conveyed that recommendation.

[robinson46176]

I find many belts will squeak and make other strange noises when dry. The belt conditioner help prevents the different and strange noises from the belts.

Hi Bill:
I find as I get older that I personally produce a lot of strange noises these days... I have been unable to find any spray can products that quiet me down.

I suppose much of the reluctance to recommend belt dressing by Shopsmith may come from years of them getting headstocks in the old factory shop with enough "stuff" built up all inside of the headstock to dress the fan belt on the QE-2. Some folks suffer from the Tim Taylor complex and think that if a little does good, more is better...
These are the same guys (its usually guys ) that run their car with the oil a quart above the full mark, We once had a family friend like that. His wife's biggest fear was of ever getting ill enough that he would be controlling her medication and that he would seriously over-dose her perhaps fatally...
He "over-did" about everything, sometimes to frightening extremes.


.

[tomsalwasser]

I just now tried a little sandpaper to "dress" the belt and inner sheaves. It quieted things down quite a bit. Not sure if that will work for your situation Francis

[charlese]

Did anyone hear from Shopsmith as to why Shopsmith feels belt dressing should not be used?

I have read through all of the appropriate documentation that I have and I find no reference to belt dressing (either pro or con). This is an old thread so maybe it is impossible to determine but it would be good to know who at Shopsmith conveyed that recommendation.

See POST #8 above!!!!