I have ordered abrasive belts for 10 " expander wheels that were sized 31 7/64 inch and see some advertised at 31 1/8 inch.. I know that in some situations ...size does matter... any thoughts as to weather 1/64 of an inch would be of benefit or matter in this situation. I understand the detriment if the belt is too large... slippage and lack of contact etc. . The company that has a deal for me on ceremic belts has told me that they can only cut to within 1/8" length increments,not 1/64" , Thanks in advance for any info/help Regards Ray Steele
That's interesting Ray. I don't have much experience with the 10 expander wheels, I have one now on the truck and it is a pain in the butt to change the belt. I have been with other guys and they were easy to change out. I always thought that it was a because their wheel was older and perhaps more worn, but maybe my belts are smaller.
Ray, I can't find the size on the belts but here is the #s on the in side r205 nn3 z40 resin bond. It is a green belt I don't see a manufacturer name on it but these belt seem to be a 16th big and walk when in use and is very annoying. The belt I normally use is a sk885x 402 by vsm ceramics it fits perfect stays put the life of the belt. It also seems last longer than any others I have tried. Hope this helps
Mike, thanks for this, the #s that you refered ,as far as I can tell would not have to do with the length, the length would not probably be marked on the belt but on the packaging that the belt came in from the belt manufacturer. (box or bag). It is helpful to note your notice of a "1/16th big". The difference that I'm speaking of is 1/64". The belts that I can get this deal on are ceremic and only available at this excellent price in 36 grit and are reddish orange in color , the color I'm told doesn't mean much so far as delineation of product. Thanks again for your info and time. Regards Ray
Spotonshoeing, Thanks for that offer but don't waste a good belt on my behalf! If you would, call me 413 863 2443 , In the same discussion over on Horseshoes.com,Jack Evers and Rick Shepherd hit upon a obvious brilliant point that may hold some answers as to why some folks have "belt walk" ,they suggested it is RPMs. By that and I had not given it any thought, the greater the rpms the more displacement of the expander ,the tighter the hold on the belt used, so that a machine that holds a 31 7/64" at 1800 rpm ...might not hold a 31 1/8" belt at 1800 rpm because the centrifical force is not enough to displace the rubber wheel the amt. that is needed! Where as a 3000 rpm machine might not have any trouble with either belt! I figure that's why those guys(Jack and Rick) get paid the big money..thanks. Regards and thanks ..again Ray Steele
Since we last were in cyber farriery here, I have had a few discussions with some folk about the expander wheel and belt fit. Previously I was willing to let it go at RPMs, it sounded good and I'm sure that RPMs can have something to do with it. Additionally, one person opined that the expander wheels are made within acceptable tolerances, maybe a thousanth or two, and that belts are made within tolerances, again maybe a thousanth or two. Now when and if the two come together, the belt that is 2000ths large and the wheel that is 2000ths small, there is now a 4000ths difference, then another variable was added , weather, more precicely heat, on a hot day a wheel and its rubber fingers will expand and in cold contract, probable 4 to 5 thousanths.... either way maybe an 8 to 10thousanths swing.... then the belt might not fit on or might walk away, or something in between. Food for thought. Regards Ray
I'll buy them as long as the seam is good , bought five the other day 3 came apart as soon as the grinder got up to speed. I stood back a good distance after the first one.
Justin, Do you run a guard on you expander? I'm told that belts should be stored in dry places not subject to large temperature swings and that they do have a shelf life. That all said, I ask about a guard because the nature of a farrier and where he/she does business makes the guard necessary because we don't have control of the other parameters. Regards ray Steele
I have the guard that stonewell suplied with the grinder. They had been in the truck about three weeks before that I don't know. They are sending them back to the manufacture to inspect. Even with the guard one of the belts went about twenty feet when it came apart. I thought maybe it was my wheel, but I put some old used ones on it and no problems. Received some new ones this evening see what happens tomorrow. Think I'm going to buy a belt sander, wheel has got me a little gun shy!!
Thought I'd try to show the difference that 1/8 inch means on an expander wheel. The wheel shown is brand new out of the box,pictures were taken within 10 minutes of each other,my reasoning was to keep everything as close to the same as possable except the belt (temp,wheel,etc) for comparason. 1st pic is with the belt that came with the wheel, 2nd is a 30" belt , 3rd is a 31 1/8" belt. the red belts are 36 grit ceremic y weight, the green belt is marked 40 grit x weight zirc. Regards Ray Steele
