According to the date marker on my saw the link belt was installed 20 February 2003.  This morning I fired it up and in the middle of cutting some 1/4 Luan I hear the belt come off.  Investigated and found a link had failed.  Okay, so I just removed that link and reinstalled belt.  A contractors saw allows for adjusting the belt as the weight of the motor is how it gets tension.  Turned the TS back on and now I have a vibration.  Hmmm, I look and see another link that looks shabby.  Replaced that with two new ones from a  belt kit I bought and had extra links.  Noticed that these links look beefier.  Ah let us see.  NOPE, worse now.  Alright maybe it is a alignment issue.  I look, nope.  But to be sure I removed the link belt from the other TS, same model same belt size.  No more vibration.  Looked the original belt over and found 3 or 4 more links that looked worn out.  So I am guessing they wear out like any other belt but last longer?  Either way my fix was to use links from the original kit, I had them behind the other kit.  Those are same size.  Reinstalled on other TS seems to work fine no more vibration.  The other TS link kit I got in September of 2018.

 

Did some research and found the link kits I got from HF have changed in last few years and are not to be crossed with older versions.  I only use them on my twin TS set up, anyone have a better link set they like?  No emergency, I have two belts that work and can always throw the original belt back on.  But prefer the links because I can adjust the belt length and keep the motor high enough to clear the dust collection drawer under it.

 

As much as we beat HF I am impressed that I got 17 years life out of the belt.  Considering how much I have used this saw in past 10 years that is some good mileage.  The other saw I use for dado work so it doesn't get near the use so I expect that one to last a long time.

 

This is set up

 

 

 

 

No input on the link belts, but i really like that TS setup!

Can't help you Gunny, I don't use link belts.

Most of my pullies are diecast, and link belts tend to wear through them.

2 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

No input on the link belts, but i really like that TS setup!

The bases I sent went to these two saws. I made a custom one for this set up.  Made in America. 

No matter which link belt you use replacing links on an old belt will cause vibration because of wear patterns being broken with the new links.

I think I was hooded in to thinking link belts were the answer way back on, Wood On Line, which was to remedy all know aliments and after I put one on something I was not impressed. More of speaking without knowledge known to happen on chat rooms.

20 minutes ago, HandyDan said:

No matter which link belt you use replacing links on an old belt will cause vibration because of wear patterns being broken with the new links.

So I have learned.  Pulleys I upgraded to prevent blow out like Larry mentioned. And really I can't complain. The belt lasted 17 years. . Think I am going to order 25 ft of some good grade and change both out as well as bandsaw.

6 minutes ago, Smallpatch said:

I think I was hooded in to thinking link belts were the answer way back on, Wood On Line, which was to remedy all know aliments and after I put one on something I was not impressed.

 

I've never used a link belt.  A good quality belt has always run fine for me.  I've seen verdicts both ways.

 

 

7 minutes ago, HandyDan said:

 

I've never used a link belt.  A good quality belt has always run fine for me.  I've seen verdicts both ways.

 

 

I like them for the TS.  They allow me to adjust belt so the motor hangs a little higher. That allows the drawer under it to come out easy. So unless you have my set up really no advantage I am guessing.  Most contractor saws just let the dust fly out the back.

Last summer I found a Jet contractor saw at a pawn shop and bought it for my son.  It is just like the one I have.  His had a link belt on it and I was very impressed at how much smoother his saw ran compared to mine.

The only link belt in my shop is on the DIY flat sander. The motor hangs to provide tension like some saws. Had a Gates belt on it and switched to the HF link. Made a world of difference in smoother running and, much quieter. 

I have to go to doctor today. Z HF is close by. Guess I will be making a trip.

I put a link belt on my Jet TS when I bought the saw, along with balanced pulleys. I've never looked back. The saw runs perfectly smooth with no vibration at all.

I don't like the plastic... This is the only good kind... Not cheap...

 

 

 

 

48 minutes ago, Kevin Beitz said:

I don't like the plastic... This is the only good kind... Not cheap...

 

 

 

 

I searched for this and found zip.  Any ideas where I can get some.  Need 8 feet maximum.  

E-bay....

8 minutes ago, Kevin Beitz said:

E-bay....

Thanks, for anyone looking this was only one I found.  Not to bad price per foot, BUT do I really need 90 feet of it??  

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gates-Supreme-V-Link-Belting-0-Section-90-feet-partial-roll-7760-8101/174191618642?hash=item288ea12a52:g:phMAAOSwl9xeRwdi

 

I purchased my link belt from Woodcraft when I put it on my saw several years ago.  I believe it is the same link power twist brand they sell today. I've never had any issues with it. Still runs great. Unless you plan for heavy industrial use, this should be all you need. Just my opinion.

Edited May 10, 20205 yr by Al B

There is an opportunity for you Gunny.  Woodcraft want $50 for a 4 foot piece.  You can get the whole 90' for $125 shipped.  I would buy a 4' piece for the $25 - you end up with 86' for the price of 8!

Does anyone know if that is the right size (width, depth, etc.) for general use. I couldn't get any info in a search.