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Let’s say I had a “friend” who ended up with a stewmac buffing system along with the plywood base that is predrilled.

How would one go about setting the right belt tension? The drilled holes to mount the motor are slotted. So, do you just push back on the mount until the desired tension is achieved and then lock it down ? Or, is there a more accurate way to do this?
Thanks
B


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Usually holes are slotted to allow for some stretching of the belt and minor differences in belt length. I usually just tension the belt by hand then lock it down.
I think the "desired tension" for a buffer varies somewhat with the individual. Some like the belt to "slip" if too much pressure is put against the buffer. What is considered "too much pressure" is what varies with the individual.

We replace most belts in the shop with link belts, to include the buffers. This lets us bolt the motor in place with proper alignment, and make tension adjustments by adding or subtracting a link - usually subtracting a link after the first few years of operation as what little stretch works out of the belt. We like Fenner PowerTwist link belts - they last a long, long time and a relatively quiet in use.

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I hang my motor underneath on a pivot - weight of the small motor provides tension. Since it's on its own rollaway stand, smaller footprint and lower COG.

I use a lnk belt as well. At operating temp the belt should have about 1/2"-3/4" deflection.

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Brian

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