Belt problem

Rick Otts

Rick Otts

Well-Known Member
While I was making some knife templates I notice if I go too one side of the platen my belt will walk too the other side.Now my tracking is on is this too much slop in the belt.I tightened it up then had a problem with a loose shelve.And in tighening that up I snapped the bolt in 2.But I got it all out and will get another tomorrow.I tried it on the wheel and it didnt seem to move.But do you think that was my problem?
 
Well, I was waiting for other folks to comment, but I suspect there have been no responses because there is no good answer for you. A loose belt will FOR SURE cause the mentioned problem, but so could other things. If it seems to work now, good deal.

Ken H>
 
What kind of grinder is it? I've had similar problems with my little kalamazoo which ended in modifications...
 
Coming in late.....we've been out of town on vacation for a week! Sorry to say, that "belt walking" is one of the issues most will experience with machines such as the grizzly. I had a Grizzly grinder years ago, that somebody gave to me, and it did the same thing with ANY belt. I tried to minimize it by replacing the tension spring with a heavier one, but it never solved the issue. I used the machine for simple/deburring jobs in the hot shop for a while, then gave it away to a young guy who wanted to "piddle" around with knifemaking.
 
I bought one when they were $315 (1986 ?)....same problems.
Don't lose hope, it took some tinkering but I got it to work. Don't screw with multiple fixes at the same time, just one and test it and move on. I may have done more but this all I remember :

*About 6 wraps of electrical tape down the center of top tracking wheel and as much tension as the belt will stand.
*Run the machine without a belt...is the wheel true ?
Mine was pretty close but both 8" and 10" wheels were cupped on the face. Fixed that with a peice of concrete patio block pressed into the running wheels. You can try a b-star-d file but the block was flat and did the whole face at once. Hold it below center so you can see what you're doing IF YOU NEED TO DO IT.
*Pull in and out on the drive shaft...the drive side had some in and out play (not much) but the buffing side had more. Never found a fix for that but it's a contributing factor you should be aware of.

Keep in mind that it's not a Swiss watch and most two wheel grinders have these inherent problems. A combination of these fixes made it somewhat useable. I saw later that someone fashioned a bracket from the back of the platen with a roller skate wheel to add more tension to the belt on that long stretch in back. Seemed like a good idea for that type of machine, don't know if it actually works though. Sold mine and bought a Bader II...still working flawlessly.

Good luck,
Rudy
 
Yeah I was watching a video where a guy was using a Grizzly and the belt walked.Oh well I will have too deal with it!
 
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