February 11, 201214 yr comment_34129 Well here I am under the pressure of finishing on time tonight. I had five cutting board that I needed to run through the table saw to square up the edges tonight. I already called the customer today and told them it would be ready tomorrow. So I cut down one side, across one end and I am ready to square up the other side. Put the board on my sled and start through the table saw. I hear a load pop, the motor is still running and the saw blade is not turning. I need to run about 8 inches of this board so I can finish tonight. I took out my blade insert and look down inside the cabinet and there are two belts, both broken into. So I start thinking of where I can get this cut. I called a couple of friends and no one home or either they weren't answering the phone. LOL So I remembered a seeing a powermatic saw in a neighbors garage when I drive by their house and the door is up. He came to the door and helped me out. Got the board ready now so all is good on that. Now I got the belts out of the saw and I have got to get two new belts and get my table saw back up and running. Anyone have any advice on the best way to change these out? This is a Delta Unisaw 1987 model. Anyone know if you can purchase the link belts anywhere beside Woodcraft. I don't have time to drive 109 miles to the closest one. John Moody John Moody Woodworkshttp://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com Report
February 11, 201214 yr comment_34138 Thank goodness for helpful neighbors. Maybe a farm supply type store or a Napa parts store. Greghttp://www.thesawdustfactory.net/ Report
February 11, 201214 yr comment_34137 An Auto Parts store should have something that will work. Before I went to the link belts on my Jet Contractor, I ran automotive belts. But a single belt contractor saw may be a bit different than a dual belt cabinet saw.Allen WorshamCorona, CAallenworsham@earthlink.nethttp://www.awcreationsandwoodcrafts.com'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk' J. Vernon McGee Report
February 11, 201214 yr comment_34136 Any auto parts store should be able to match these up for you John. If not an exact match, they should get you close enough to work. Something to think about. Do you have any other machines that may need their belts checked?Wayne MahlerGod bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free. Report
February 11, 201214 yr comment_34135 Got a Harbor freight close? They have the best prices on link belts. None of the auto supply stores near me carry them.However, if you want to go back with the normal belts, Ace in my area carries a more complete selection than any of the auto supply stores. Then you can search online for the best buy in link belts. Harbor freight will still be the best, I'll wager.Gene'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton Report
February 11, 201214 yr Author comment_34134 I picked up three belts at the local auto parts store today, but I also called Harbor Freight in Huntsville. It is about 60 miles away, but it is fairly close to my son-n-law so he ran over and picked them up for me. I will be at their house tomorrow afternoon for my grandson's 2nd birthday so I will have them then. So I guess I will put the link belts on the saw. I got it apart today and ready to put them on when I get home Sunday night. It appear the lower pulley had slipped on the shaft. So I loosened the set screws and moved it back in line with the upper pulley. So while I had it all open, I cleaned everything on the inside, put some graphite on. Link belts will on tomorrow night and I will be back in operation. I guess I just needed a day off. John MoodyJohn Moody Woodworkshttp://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com Report
February 12, 201214 yr comment_34133 JohnGlad it worked out for you. Life is not good when a machine is done and there are deadlines to meet. Thank goodness for good old American Ingenuity ( luck ) lol.Wayne MahlerGod bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free. Report
February 14, 201214 yr Author comment_34132 Well I got it all back together last night and should be ready to run. I picked up the link belts at Harbor Freight. As I understand there are at least two brands on the market. PowerTwist and Accu-Link. Accu-link is the ones carried by Harbor Freight. As I looked up information on them, it appears by the site I was looking at that the 1/2" Accu-Link is a little wider than the 1/2" PowerTwist. I got them together and managed to get all three belts on the saw and tensioned. I ran the saw without the blade for several minutes and then checked everything. I had one link that came loose so I had to take them all off and fix the link, then replace them. Ran the saw again with no problems It does seem to be quieter, but then I have enough noise with the DC that it is hard to tell it if is that much quieter. Just glad to have the saw back up and running and hopefully it will stay this way for a good long while. John MoodyJohn Moody Woodworkshttp://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com Report
February 14, 201214 yr comment_34131 Glad that you are back up and running again. I hope you like the link belts. THey made a difference on my contractor saw. Allen WorshamCorona, CAallenworsham@earthlink.nethttp://www.awcreationsandwoodcrafts.com'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk' J. Vernon McGee Report
February 14, 201214 yr Author comment_34130 I think I will be happy with them. I'll try to give them a good test this week and weekend.John MoodyJohn Moody Woodworkshttp://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com Report
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