belt tension delta contractor saw
Hello. I would like to dust proof my Delta contractor saw. The recent article mentioned adjusting the belt length to have the least motor exposure out the back of the saw. It got me thinking. When I added an out feed table to the saw I noticed that at 45 deg. the capacitor on the motor was actually above the height of the saw table. After futzing around with the link belt length and the pulley positions I was able to get the capacitor approx. 1/8″ below the saw table. I was forced to make a cut out on the bottom of the out feed table such that a small square of the outfeed table is paper thin. Since Mr. Babbitt sealed a Delta saw I would like to know how he ended up with 1/2″ clearance? It seems one has two choices, lengthen the belt or shorten it. If I pull the motor up such that the space between the capacitors is horizontal to the bottom of the out feed table thereby yielding more clearance will my tension be too little? I do not think that making a slightly bigger box would be a problem,i.e. letting the motor hang lower with a longer belt. Or am I omitting something fundemental about setting up this saw in the first place? Believe me, it would not be the first time.
Replies
Your belt tension probably does depend on the weight of the motor mounted at some predetermined angle. Before messing with that angle, is it possible to rotate the motor on it's mount such that the capacitors are on the bottom and out of the way?
The weight of the motor puts the tension on the belt. It should hang on the belt and not be too straight up. On my old Rockwell, there is a lot of room either way, and the motor still hangs, but you don't want any part of the motor sticking above the table or hitting on anything like your fence rail.
I'm not familiar with the article you are talking about. If it encloses the motor, I'm not a big fan of doing that. I made a simple cover for the back of my contractor saw. I have to remove it when I bevel the blade. The picture is self explanatory, two piece cover. I just use tape to hold it in place but some high power magnets might be good.
The best way to improve dust collection on most things is to improve air flow. That means a larger duct and opening with the DC to match. Nothing like a 6" duct with plenty of flow.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
You sir have done exactly what I did and it works like a charm, doesn't it?
If your stands too upright, you will have tention problems. The way the motor hangs and pivots gives it it's tension. The higher the motor stands upright the more you balance the motor's weight. That motor needs to lay over at 90 degrees to it's axis
maximum weight pull. If you will take some 1/8 thick ply material, split it down the middle where the belt comes and goes, and then doubleback velcro tape it to the frame of the saw, you will be amazed how much dust you will trap.
Motor sizes, and especially the location of the capacitor, will vary quite a bit from one brand and model of a saw to the next so what worked for the article's author might not work for you without some redesign.
John White
Shop Manager for FWW Magazine, 1998-2007
If you want some material to do trial-runs with, try foam-board from a crafts store. You can cut it with a utility knife, move things around and try different stuff before you go to cutting up plywood.
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