Traction belts

[ChrisAlb]

Hey everyone,

I have a question. I've been helping a member with replacing the traction belts. I'm wondering if anyone knows if "any" belt, the same size and grit of course, can be used.

Has anyone ever used belts made for another machine if they were the same size? Or do we have to go to LHR and that's it?

Just curious

[Deolman]

I have heard the following place will have belts if you tell them what you are using them for.

http://customsandingbelts.com/

[ChrisAlb]

Thanks Deolman,

That helps but I was kind of wondering if we could go to our local Home depot or lumber yard or something to get them. I would think ordering from these folks would be about the same (time wise) as ordering from LHR.

I should have added this to my post....my bad...http://www.carvewright.com/forum/images/icons/icon11.gif

The reason for the question is, this member I was helping wondered where she could "get them in a hurry". So it prompted me to ask if anyone knew whether this was a "standard" available size used in other sanding equipment and therefore readily available in stores.

[www.go3d.us]

I don't think there should be a problem if it is exactly the same size and everything.
HT

[andes]

Chris,

Just contacted http://customsandingbelts.com/. This is what I found out:

The belts are $4.88 each with a 12% discount for 3 or more. You can order them directly by calling 1-800-831-6066 (7am-5pm MDT M-F). The part # is 15-13AO120J

[Deolman]

Chrisalb, I kinda figured that, but the widest belt I have ever seen in a woodworkers store has been 4". I more or less figured a belt for the carvewright would have to be a custom belt. I suspect a belt for a thickness sander would be wider than 4", but I haven't seen those stocked either. With the price of the belts at $4.88 each, it might be good insurance to have some on the shelf. (I see they also have bandsaw blades. Maybe it's time I made an order.)

[ChrisAlb]

Thanks everyone, She ordered from CarveWright today and got an extra set as well. She reassembled her machine with the old belt cut shorter (like I did) and is carving away.

Deolman,

That's what I was thinking about. Some thickness sander, drum or spindle sander that just happened to use the same size belts as the CW. I haven't really looked as mine are original and working just fine. 1 year, 325 hours, no problems. I had to cut about an inch off one because I missed a splintered bottom edge on a board some months back and it tore it a little.

Posted the experience here...

http://www.carvewright.com/forum/showpost.php?p=39490&postcount=10

[seankfields]

I've also run into the problem of needing an immediate replacement for a belt. My solution at the time was to remove the good belt, cut it in half, and finish the project (the piece was only 3.5" wide). I ordered replacement belts, but the experience got me thinking. Now, I haven't tried this yet, but here is my theory for a rapid belt replacement solution.

Sanding belts are readily available at all the home improvement stores, as we all know, in widths up to 6", and diameters up to 48" (from what I've seen).

In doing some math, I figured the surface area of the traction belt to be 195 square inches (15" x 13"). That's assuming that the belt was cut lengthwise and laid flat as a rectangle.

So that basically told me I'd need to equal 195 sq in with an off the shelf belt. A 4" belt would have to be 48.75" to cover the area. A 6" would only have to be 32.5. Granted, there would need to be some excess for trim purposes.

That left the problem of how to actually make a replacement belt. My idea was to spiral wrap a 6" belt around a cylindrical jig. So, more math to figure out the size of said cylinder.

(13 / Pi) = 4.14"

That means a cylinder that's 15" tall with a diameter of 4.14". Conveniently enough, 4" plastic irrigation pipe has an outside diameter of 4.13".

So the final idea was basically:
- wrap the pipe with cotton fabric
- coat the fabric with contact cement
- cut a 6x48" sanding belt along the width, making one long strip
- coat the back of the belt with contact cement
- carefully spiral wrap the belt around the pipe / fabric
- remove the belt from the pipe
- trim to 15"

No idea if it will work, but I thought I'd throw the idea out there just for giggles.

[Digitalwoodshop]

A Resourceful person like RJustice with excellent Metal Skills could make extended belt tables using standard belts. Even if he designed the end roller with a rib to make a 1/8 inch gap between belts and keeping the 4 inch belts from walking left and right. The problem might be getting all the belts the same length and not cause slipping.

The positive point of the one single wide belt is that it is like having 4 wheel drive all the time. With 3 four inch wide belts, a slipping belt could act like a Tracked Heavy Equipment and turn the board in the machine ever so slightly....

So it comes down to the original design is the best design..... Kevlar belts would be the next logical step in a upgrade.

AL

[Bubbabear]

Chris,

Just contacted http://customsandingbelts.com/. This is what I found out:

The belts are $4.88 each with a 12% discount for 3 or more. You can order them directly by calling 1-800-831-6066 (7am-5pm MDT M-F). The part # is 15-13AO120J

Ok so if I am reading this correctly this is a 15X13 aluminum oxide belt at 120 grit

[jiml]

LHR now has heavy duty belts. Ribbed rubber on the outside and fiberglass or Kevlar looking material on the inside. So far they seem to work well altho expensive. The rep at the woodworking show said they should last the life of the machine, but they still have no warranty.

[Bubbabear]

Ok I just ordered 4 of these belts from custom sanding. 4 belts shipping included was $25.11. Great price

[Bubbabear]

I have heard the following place will have belts if you tell them what you are using them for.

http://customsandingbelts.com/


Thanks for the link great belts way better price and about the same on shipping time.

[Rocky]

Thanks for the link great belts way better price and about the same on shipping time.

Are they special ordered? If so, what specs do you use?

[Bubbabear]

In this there is a product number or you can call them and just tell them the belt for the carvewright machines.

Originally Posted by andes View Post
Chris,

Just contacted http://customsandingbelts.com/. This is what I found out:

The belts are $4.88 each with a 12% discount for 3 or more. You can order them directly by calling 1-800-831-6066 (7am-5pm MDT M-F). The part # is 15-13AO120J

[Rocky]

In this there is a product number or you can call them and just tell them the belt for the carvewright machines.

Originally Posted by andes View Post
Chris,

Just contacted http://customsandingbelts.com/. This is what I found out:

The belts are $4.88 each with a 12% discount for 3 or more. You can order them directly by calling 1-800-831-6066 (7am-5pm MDT M-F). The part # is 15-13AO120J

Thanks for the info!