Replies

1. 
   Frank Vucolo | Apr 01, 2008 04:22am | #1

   Andy,

   Not sure about the Craftsman, but often a drill press has a knob on each side that you need to loosen, and then a lever that will tension the belts. Did you loosen both sides?

1. 
   andyfew322 | Apr 01, 2008 05:47am | #2

   I BELIEVE that there is only one, and it is on a swivel, but i'll check in the morn. 

   Can you hold the laser level while I shave?

2. 
   hammer1 | Apr 01, 2008 04:08pm | #3

   It's possible the belt is not original and a little short. Check to make sure no debris is limiting the movement. Even with loosening the adjustment, you may have to turn the pulley and force the belt up and over. This is an easy place to pinch your fingers, real hard. Use the palm of your hand and go slow. Make sure the machine is unplugged.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

1. 
   andyfew322 | Apr 02, 2008 01:25am | #7

   brand new, never used 

   Can you hold the laser level while I shave?

1. 
   BruceS | Apr 02, 2008 05:18am | #11

   If you get a link type belt be forewarned that they are directional.  They are generally marked as to desired rotation.Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

1. 
   andyfew322 | Apr 02, 2008 05:34am | #12

   thanks for the heads up! 

   Can you hold the laser level while I shave?

1. 
   Henley | Apr 02, 2008 05:40am | #13

   Hey Andy, I see you all ready got it. I was going to tell you they just need
   persuading. Everyone I've ever seen was like that.
   After the belt gets a little worn it's better. I'd say save your money and put up with it. There are far more
   useful things to spend your money on then a belt.

2. 
   flairwoodworks | Apr 02, 2008 06:42am | #14

   But those belts are so styling!Chris @ flairwoodworks

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

3. 
   JohnWW | Apr 01, 2008 06:21pm | #4

   Most modern drill presses are so poorly made that the belt tensioning mechanisms are useless. By far the simplest solution is to replace the stock belt with a Fenner link belt. With a link belt the you can just roll the belt from groove to groove without having to shift the motor.

   John White

1. 
   Dorsett | Apr 01, 2008 08:33pm | #5

   I second John's advice.Works well on my Delta bench top.Are link belts so expensive that manufacturers can't install them as original equipment?Dorsett

1. 
   RickL | Apr 03, 2008 05:05pm | #15

   "Are link belts so expensive that manufacturers can't install them as original equipment?"

   They are considerably more expensive than a cheap V belt. Personally I find a cog belt to be far cheaper and work just as good in place of a link belt. Link belts are best on gravity weighted motor such as contractor saws. On a fixed length set up like a drill press, cabinet saw the memery factor doesn't coem into play.  A cog belt does better on smaller diameter pulleys. I think folks don't really understand the reason link belts work best on  certain applications. It's not the cure all for all belt problems. 

1. 
   JohnWW | Apr 03, 2008 06:33pm | #16

   The big advantage here, and why I recommended the link belts, is that the belt can be shifted from pulley to pulley without having to deal with the machines poorly designed motor mount.John White

2. 
   flairwoodworks | Apr 07, 2008 06:59am | #17

   Rick,

   Where can one buy a cog belt?  I've never even heard of them?Chris @ flairwoodworks

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

1. 
   RickL | Apr 15, 2008 08:25pm | #18

   http://www.mcmaster.com http://www.mscdirect.com   Any local power transmission dealer should have them. Old technology!

2. 
   andyfew322 | Apr 02, 2008 01:25am | #8

   I'm heading to Rockler in Cabridge this week, so I'll probably pick one of those up there 

   Can you hold the laser level while I shave?

4. 
   [email protected] | Apr 01, 2008 10:02pm | #6

   My Dad's old Craftsman, (early eighties era), had the knob on the side, to lock it in place, and one towards the back, that pulled the motor mount to the rear to tension the belt. 

   You might be able to go to sears.com, enter the serial number, and find the exploded view, and manual online.

5. 
   knothole | Apr 02, 2008 02:40am | #9

   My crapsman has a knob on each side and a lever that will lossen or tighten the belts. It has two belts with an idler in the middle that is free to move back an forth. This idler froze up once ( lack of lube) and wouldn't let the belt loosen. Lubed the shaft on the idler and freed it up. has been fine sence.

1. 
   andyfew322 | Apr 02, 2008 03:33am | #10

   Thanks all, i fugured how to do it, it just took more muscleing than expected. 

   Can you hold the laser level while I shave?