Shopsmith Forums

JPG wrote:1/2 ". Realize they tend to increase wear on the sheaves.

Ideally a 9/16" belt is needed. A slight shift in speed range occurs with a belt narrower then 9/16". Ditto a length not = to 25.5".

Having spent some months getting(trying various lengths etc.) the correct belt for my Mark VII, I again recommend the mother ship(or a correct used one from e=bay).

Thats enough for me. Between the wear and the difference in speed and such doesn't seem worth it.

I found the powertwist link belts (orange) wear less than the HF link belts (green). Link belts should only be used with steel pulleys due to harder wear material in the links. I have been using the powertwist link belts for more than 30 years. You will get additional aluminum dust from the wear on the headstock sheaves. The link belt keeps the sheaves shiny and spreads the wear area on the sheaves. I used compressed air to blow out the aluminum dust from the headstock often when using the link belts. The link belts does make the Mark V headstock and Power Station quieter with less vibration and noise.

I found the auto type V belts do not have a long life when used in the headstock so quickly gave up on them. I only used the link belts when Shopsmith did not have their belt available for immediate delivery or for a period of time, they sold a very poor quality motor belt for several years.

I tried several different lengths of 1/2" Kelvar reinforced v-belts many years ago with very poor results. The belt overheated (bad smell too) at the SLOW or FAST positions and was a lot more nosier the a standard 1/2" V-belt. It did not like the vanes on the sheaves and the short turning circle at each end of the speed range.

Forgive me Bill,

But you first state that link belts should be used only with steel pullies yet we are talking about aluminum sheaves. Are you stating that even though they should be used on steel your doing it on the aluminum sheave and acknowledging that there is a slight bit more wear but not enough to warrant not doing it?

And second you state you only started using link belts because a suitable replacement was not available. Now that a suitable replacement is available (I am assuming this is the case from both shopsmith and the band saw guy on ebay) are you recommending switching back or is the quiet and smooth operation a good reason to continue using the link belts?

I just want to make the best choice since I need to replace mine.

I used the link belts on any Power Station I sold and on my present Mark V Power Station with reversible motor. I am still using a link belt on one of my Shopsmiths currently but recommend using the 9/16" V-belts. I use the 9/16" wide belts which I purchase from the Ebay seller on any rebuilt headstock. Yes, the wear of the sheaves on my Shopsmiths was within my limits but I did not use them that often. You will see increased wear on the sheaves if you use a link belt. I like the reduced vibration and less noise when using a link belt. It may take several tries to get the correct length on the link belt so you have the RPM desired at both the SLOW and FAST settings. I found no problems with the link belt when using reversible motors. You will need to oil the sheaves more frequently to clean out the aluminum dust if using a link belt. These are my personal opinions based on my experience playing with the Shopsmiths.

Thanks for the clarification Bill and while they are your opinion that's seems to carry a lot of weight here and since I have nothing to base my descion on other than the opinions of others I respect that others value yours.

[/quote]Ideally a 9/16" belt is needed. A slight shift in speed range occurs with a belt narrower then 9/16". Ditto a length not = to 25.5".

Having spent some months getting(trying various lengths etc.) the correct belt for my Mark VII, I again recommend the mother ship(or a correct used one from e=bay).[/quote]

As a prior vehicle mechanic I too spent many hours trying to find an automotive type belt and unfortunately came up empty. I figured all of those skills that I had from cross referencing belts across the globe would work but each manufacturer I checked does not make a 9/16" wide belt or one that it 25.5" long. I found 25.25" and 25.75" but not 25.5". Once again it appears that I have been bested by the mothership known as Shopsmith.

greasemonkey2275 wrote:

JPG wrote:Ideally a 9/16" belt is needed. A slight shift in speed range occurs with a belt narrower then 9/16". Ditto a length not = to 25.5".

Having spent some months getting(trying various lengths etc.) the correct belt for my Mark VII, I again recommend the mother ship(or a correct used one from e=bay).

As a prior vehicle mechanic I too spent many hours trying to find an automotive type belt and unfortunately came up empty. I figured all of those skills that I had from cross referencing belts across the globe would work but each manufacturer I checked does not make a 9/16" wide belt or one that it 25.5" long. I found 25.25" and 25.75" but not 25.5". Once again it appears that I have been bested by the mothership known as Shopsmith.

It would be 'nice' if the alleged 1/2" belts were actually 1/2", but alas tain't so.

Unfortunately the belts available back when the design was made are no longer 'typical'. Actually the EOM belt s/b 17/32" wide when new(AIUI).

JPG wrote:

hawaii five-0 wrote:I need to replace the lower belt on my shopsmith. Being a cheapskate and impatient, I figured I might be able to go to a local lawnmower shop and pick a belt up without waiting for shipping, or paying 19.95 plus shipping for it. I'm sure others have done/attempted this. Any advise against it? Anyone know the size? Thanks in advance.

9/16" WIDE, 25.5" LONG.

Doubt you will find one.

Get one from the mother ship.

Please tell me how you arrive at these dimensions. Are they simply empirical data or are they specified somewhere? I have a new drive belt (504193) that would be rejected using this data.

Is the length to be measured inside or outside?

dusty wrote:

JPG wrote:

hawaii five-0 wrote:I need to replace the lower belt on my shopsmith. Being a cheapskate and impatient, I figured I might be able to go to a local lawnmower shop and pick a belt up without waiting for shipping, or paying 19.95 plus shipping for it. I'm sure others have done/attempted this. Any advise against it? Anyone know the size? Thanks in advance.

9/16" WIDE, 25.5" LONG.

Doubt you will find one.

Get one from the mother ship.

Please tell me how you arrive at these dimensions. Are they simply empirical data or are they specified somewhere? I have a new drive belt (504193) that would be rejected using this data.

Is the length to be measured inside or outside?

The width is from a multitude of inputs. For sure it is not a 5/8" width. For sure 1/2" is too narrow. Part of the conclusion was gleaned from all that trying out various sizes on the Mark VII(the sheaves are identical to the Mark 5/V) and observing the resultant speed ranges and belt positioning on the pulleys at the extreme ends of the speed adjustment. Ideally the belt should be the same distance from the periphery of both pulleys at opposite ends of the speed range. A 1/2" belt rides too low in the open pulley when it rides close to the periphery of the closed pulley. Also physically measuring new or nearly new SS belts yields a width greater than 1/2" and very close to 9/16".

The length is not easily measured, since it is a 'nominal' effective running length when moving on the pulleys. Suffice to say an outside circumference would be slightly greater than a nominal 25.5". How much? Probably depends upon how much it has 'stretched'.

JPG wrote:1/2 ". Realize they tend to increase wear on the sheaves.

Ideally a 9/16" belt is needed. A slight shift in speed range occurs with a belt narrower then 9/16". Ditto a length not = to 25.5".

Having spent some months getting(trying various lengths etc.) the correct belt for my Mark VII, I again recommend the mother ship(or a correct used one from e=bay).

Problem is, most '1/2"' belts are 12mm(less than 1/2") even though belt manufacturers state they are 13mm or more. They lie!!!!!!!!!

I am sure SS has to get a 'special' order to get the correct size. They tried 'typical' belts a while back with disastrous results. A few forum members can attest to that!

I think the Bandsawtirewarehouse belt on e-bay is 'correct'. 'HE' also makes a good poly-v belt FWIW.

Have you measured one to verify that it meets the specifications that you have applied? Or is this a blind endorsement?