Adjustable V Belts

[ChiScouter]

I know they have been around for 20plus years, I saw a guy at a car show hyping them way back then. He said they ran smoother and quieter than regular belts, I never much thought about using one , or saw one in use or heard anyone talk about using one. I am putting a 2hp compressor together that I would like to be as smooth and quiet as possible. Someone gave me 2 of those V belts, one with the segments held together with pins, the other where the segments are barbed and index into each other. I am really skeptical of these things and wonder if anyone else has messed with them.

 

[bgaidan]

I think they're inferior to traditional v belts in every way except convenience.

I ran one on my old lathe because it was way more easier than tearing apart the headstock to thread in a new belt.

I've never really considered the belt to be the noisy part of a compressor setup either.

Hell, give it a try and compare the noise. Its usually easy enough to change belts in a compressor. I'd be curious if you really notice a difference.

 

[CarterKraft]

Once I started wood working I learned the biggest advantage, the link belts don't retain memory.
The memory translates to vibration in the saw arbor that is very noticeable on a table saw.

 

[Weasel]

Replaced my air compressor belt with one, it's quieter and been on there for 4 years or more. It was a noticeable reduction of noise.

Also one on my mill. They work good, imo.

 

[arse_sidewards]

Next time I have to do a belt on the Hough it's gonna get one of them because the pump coupling is a bitch.

 

[Stuck]

Put one on my lathe. Like bigaydan said it was a lot easier than tearing shit apart to replace the belt.

 

[rockyota83]

im having a hard time finding a 1" wide 60" long v belt for a 1950s cat grader

 

[billybob_81067]

Those adjustable belts are nice for things like the lathes mentioned, or to throw behind the seat of your pickup that uses the old style v-belts, or if you're a farmer like me just keep them behind the seat of the pickup to fix any other equipment that uses an old style v-belt too...

im having a hard time finding a 1" wide 60" long v belt for a 1950s cat grader

Cat 12 grader? We had to replace the water pump belt and got one straight through Caterpillar. It wasn't cheap, but we got it. I think that one went straight from the crank to the water pump though, and it must have another short belt to run the generator. Fuck if I remember...