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#1
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grinder - belt tracking
Hello Guys, I have had a Bader111 belt grinder for about 3 yrs now. Just recently, the belts have started to wander on me when grinding. Even a little bit when adjusting the tracking, the belt will wander a bit before settling in. When I grind, the belt can move as much as 3/16". Any suggestions? The top pully (idler?) seems smooth and flat. Very, Very minute play in it - could the insides be worn a bit? just enough to allow movement when pressure is put on the belt? Thanks, Greg
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#2
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Could just be wear as you are thinking. You've had it for three years so I expect that you know to have plenty of tension on the belt and you know how to adjust all the parts of the grinder so that's probably not it.
You did say the idler seems smooth an flat. It shouldn't be flat, the idler is a crowned wheel - just a bit higher in the center than at the sides. Maybe it has worn down. You could test that theory by wrapping a couple of turns of electrical tape around the center of the wheel ... |
#3
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Three years is not much wear on a Bader unless you are a production maker. Sounds more like something might have loosened. Check all the stuff Ray mentioned very closely. May be as simple as your tensioner spring adjustment knob is traveling on you. Or the spring is getting lazy.
Lay a straight edge across the surface of your idler wheel to see if the crown is gone. Bader I had had a very subtle crown. If it's true flat then the tape in the center should get you back on track. You can always have the I-wheel recrowned by a machinest if need be. __________________ Carl Rechsteiner, Bladesmith Georgia Custom Knifemakers Guild, Charter Member Knifemakers Guild, voting member Registered Master Artist - GA Council for the Arts C Rex Custom Knives Blade Show Table 6-H |
#4
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Two things come to mind for me. First is you said it worked fine and then WAM! It started to wander. Did you by any chance get a new shot of belts in. I have gotten batches that defenetly wander. If you did buy belts try an old one and see if it wanders too.
Second is you said the idler has a little play in it. I would say that is a problem right there. If the bearings have play that will allow the tracking to change with pressure and give you the belt tracking problem. Erik |
#5
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Thanks Guys, I will lay a straight edge across the idler wheel and see if it is flat or crowned. If flat, I will wrap 2-3 rounds of electrical tape on the center. I will triple check tightness of everything and check that spring. YES, I did get a new batch of belts from a new supplier, will check on that compared to old Norton Blaze belt. Thanks again for your quick and helpful replies. Stay Sharp and Happy Holidays!
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#6
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A follow up on that belt tracking problem: There was minor play/looseness between frame and the idler pulley bar! I put a .025 shim in between frame and bar and now everything is tight and belt runs as good as ever. Reckon I will have to replace shim every now and then. Thanks again and Happy Holidays! Greg
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#7
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Good deal Greg. Like those simple fixes.
Merry Christmas! __________________ Carl Rechsteiner, Bladesmith Georgia Custom Knifemakers Guild, Charter Member Knifemakers Guild, voting member Registered Master Artist - GA Council for the Arts C Rex Custom Knives Blade Show Table 6-H |
Tags |
back, belt, belts, blade, blaze, buy, chris, christmas, edge, electrical, flat, grinder, grinding, how to, problem, sharp, simple, surface, wrap |
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