Band Saw Drive Belt Tension

[segovia]

I have my Metabo 317 stripped down and ready to re assemble as I was never satisfied with the set up from the factory. I am following Steve's advice form his video workshop essentials. However there is no reference that I can see to drive belt tension. What is the standard to setting drive belt tension ?

Regards

John

 

[brihol]

As I recall from SM's DVD, its a question of developing your musical ear and twanging the back of the blade until it sounds like a proper note. Works for me.
Brian
Edit: Ooops! I haven't woken up yet drive belt tension mmmmm? Steve??

 

[9fingers]

A good rule of thumb for V belts is that you should be able to move the longest run by +/- 1/2" from its rest position.
For flat/poly vee belts you should be just able to twist the belt through 90 degrees on the longest run.
For drives with a very small pulley driving a much larger one, the contact with the small pulley can be down to 1/3 of the circumference and in these cases extra tension to prevent belt slip can be needed but ONLY if it slips
Excessive tension only leads to premature bearing failure.

hth

Bob

 

[studders]

Excessive tension only leads to premature bearing failure.

hth

Bob

Plus one.
I start off with it loose(ish) and gradually tighten it just enough to stop any slipping with the machine under load.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Sorry, only just come to this.
What they said.
S