Wadkin bts

[nathandavies]

So after getting a load of welding done and putting the machine back together (luckily with a very detailed manual as I just had a big pile of nuts and bolts), I have a working monster p/t.

I adjusted the drive belts to be relatively tight.

Should I have a certain amount of slack in the belts, to allow a bit of slip when starting the machine? but not so much that it slips during use? Is there a "sweet spot" for belt tension?

Nathan

 

[Myfordman]

I don't think you should plan for any slippage as that will just wear the belt.
I would adjust to the minimum tension that prevents slip under load.
Any excess tension over this will just put strain on the bearings and achieve nought.
A vague rule of thumb to start with would be 1/2" play on the longest run.

 

[nathandavies]

sorry, I didn't say that when I start the machine, it sounds pretty violent. the planer head is a substantial lump of metal, so to get that moving from 0-? in the matter of a millisecond is quite an ask. I am currently getting 3 phase from a generator, but will soon be getting a rotary convertor, from what I've read the convertor acts in a similar way to star delta when machines start, i.e. a slower build up before max power? not sure if I've misunderstood that? that would possibly make it seem less violent. by the way myfordman are you myfordboy on youtube?

 

[Myfordman]

I've not played with a rotary converter but my understanding of them is that there is no switch over from lower voltage to full voltage to give any equivalent of star delta action unless you actually use a star delta starter on the planer.
On a normal 3 phase supply it would normally take a couple of seconds to achieve synchronous speed and that is due to magnetic slip in the motor and never a deliberately slipping belt. If you really want a controlled start up then an inverter is the way to go but a 240v in 400v out inverter is going to be expensive - but then again so would a new rotary converter. An inverter would also give controlled braking if that is wanted.

No, I have no connection with myfordboy other than presumably owning machinery from that maker.