The role of Fate in buying new tools

[FogggyTown]

I have (well, HAD) an SIP 13” thicknesser. The drive belt went a week ago and I tried to get a replacement. I was told by the dealer: “Unfortunately SIP are currently out of stock of the replacement drive belts. They are resourcing a fresh batch will keep you up to speed on any developments.” That sounded pretty indefinite and I use my thicknesser a lot. So I decided to just get another machine. (I hadn’t been that thrilled with the performance of the SIP any way, and I was sure I could see the hand of Fate at work here.) I did a few hours research and finally decided on:

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PI ... rce=affwin

I was all set to order when I saw that the cheapest dealer was out of stock. Rats! Then a new Rutlands catalogue dropped through the hole in the door and I saw this:

http://www.rutlands.co.uk/cgi-bin/psProdDet.cgi/F22561

I hadn’t looked at Rutland’s site before because my impression has always been that they aren’t usually the cheapest around. I had seen this Fox 10” on some other websites but I didn’t know the brand. But I have always felt that Rutlands doesn’t sell rubbish and, if they carry the whole Fox range, it must be a pretty good label. So I did some searching and came up with Amazon about £45 cheaper – incl. Delivery. Because my projects are small in scale, my needs are modest and hopefully this little number will do me just fine. If I ever do find a drive belt for the SIP beast, I’ll throw it on ebay.

Fate at work again?

 

[TrimTheKing]

Hi Fogggy

Can't comment on the quality of this thicknesser, but I do own a Fox 10" tablesaw and the spindle moulder they have on Rutlands and I am extremely happy with both of these.

If I was being ultra picky then the quality of the castings for the handwheels is pretty poor but they do their job so this is more of an aesthetic thing. With the usual fettling jobs done (lining up mitre slot with blade, table balancing, rip fence alignment etc) and a new blade fitted the saw is fantastic as far as I'm concerned.

Same for the moulder.

HTH

Cheers

Mark

 

[paulm]

Might be worth taking the old belt to Halfords and see if you can find a suitable alternative there.

I managed to find one for my bandsaw recently which cost a fiver compared to a vastly inferior/lighter "original" from the manufacturers source.

Cheers, Paul

 

[Digit]

My experience mirrors yours Paul, I wouldn't even bother contacting OMs anymore, same with bearings and motor brushes.
I replaced a router bearing a little while ago, off the shelf, £6.

Roy.

 

[9fingers]

Foggy,

It is very unusual for drive belts not to be standard parts available from 3rd parties.

If you want to let me have some details such as type of belt (V toothed etc) and some dimensions and ideally any part numbers written on it, I'll have a look for a source.
Might be some info in the manual - can't find the 13" thicknesser one online

Bob

 

[FogggyTown]

Foggy,

It is very unusual for drive belts not to be standard parts available from 3rd parties.

If you want to let me have some details such as type of belt (V toothed etc) and some dimensions and ideally any part numbers written on it, I'll have a look for a source. Might be some info in the manual - can't find the 13" thicknesser one online.
Bob

Thanx, but this belt looks kinda specialized. The manual is very helpful and refers to the item as (wait for it) . . . belt. But I can hope!
Length 400mm
Width 15mm
No markings
There are no teeth on the interior, but there are 6 little ridges that run lengthways all around the belt and fit into the grooves on the drive wheels (see pic)

Anything anyone can do would be appreciated!

 

[dickm]

Looks very much like it needs what is called a POLY-V belt. They are standard from power transmission suppliers - have a look in Yellow Pages, there is sure to be one near you. Only problem will be getting the exact length. There is a formula for calculating the length of standard V-belts, but I don't know if there is one for Poly-V. As a first approximation, run a flexible measuring tape around the two pulleys like the belt, and add a bit on!

 

[9fingers]

Agree with you DickM and add that it looks like a J6 section belt.

I'll have a search this evening amongst my suppliers.

Bob

 

[Digit]

Yeah! 6 ribs is a 'J' section, as used on washing machines etc. If the 400 mm is the book spec that should permit a supplier to supply without too much difficulty.

Roy.

 

[9fingers]

Foggy,

if you search on EYP you should find 11 suppliers for "power transmission" in "west Sussex"

Most of those should be able to help you. Ask for a 400 mm J6 section belt.
If they don't have one they can normally get things for the next day.

Other possible suppliers are Beeline.co.uk or medwaypt.co.uk

HTH

Bob

 

[Dabbler]

:idea: Try Solent Tools:

www.solenttools.co.uk/p0/drive-belts/316384.htm

They also supply a wide range of motor brushes. I've only bought one item from them but the service was good.

 

[DaveL]

Hi Dabbler,

Welcome to the forum.

Your link got fell into our spam trap, this will stop when you have a few more posts to your name, here it is:

www.solenttools.co.uk/p0/drive-belts/316384.htm

 

[FogggyTown]

Wow! You guys are handy to have around! I hope someday I'm able to be so helpful in this forum. I'll let y'all know how I get on
Thanx to all

 

[dickm]

Ask for a 400 mm J6 section belt.
If they don't have one they can normally get things for the next day.

Other possible suppliers are Beeline.co.uk

Not sure whether Poly-V's are measured on the outside of the belt, or some other position, so possibly take both the outside measure and as good a measure as you can of the total length over the top of the grooves.

Beeline in Milton Keynes used to be very helpful, but the last time I went to them (three or four years back), they seemed to have taken on B&Q teenagers who could operate a computer, but didn't understand what the words meant

 

[Jenx]

You could always try Fenner.

One of the bigest in the world for Belts...

http://shop.fennerdrives.com/cgi-bin/la ... L+lang=ENG


HTH :wink:

 

[9fingers]

Foggy,

I see that these belts come in standard lengths in approx 1" steps in your size range. The choice will be 381 mm or 406 mm.
HTH

Bob