Jon Danniken wrote:
I was doing some drilling with my drill press yesterday, using an MT2
shank 25/32" bit @ 300RPM (and plenty of cutting fluid). It was
just for experimenting, as I have never used a bit that large before,
and wanted to see how my new press would handle it.

Everything went well, except that the front (idler pulley to spindle
pulley) v-belt (size M-25) would slip the idler pulley (spindle would
stop) if I applied too much pressure. This meant that I had to peck
at it, which isn't what I am looking to do.

So, as this is a used press, I considered getting a new belt, but it
is hard locating an M-25 belt, especially locally, and even online
(couldn't find one at mcmaster carr) From what I can tell, the M
refers to the large width being 10mm, and the 25 refers to a 25"
circumference. Would a 3/8" (9.52mm) belt work in this application?

What I would like is a belt that was less prone to slipping when I
drill large-ish holes (13/16" is the size I will be doing a lot of in
the near future). Would a cogged belt be a good solution for this? Any
other less-slippy belt suggestions?

I tied getting an M-25 belt, but nobody in town carried one. I ended up
getting a Gates belt from Napa in 3/8" instead (3L250).

Although I was concerned that it wouldn't be wide enough, it was actually
wider than the supposedly "M" belt that I had on there before, actually
measuring about 10mm. The sides of the new belt are nice and grippy, and I
don't think I'm going to be having any more problems with that belt
slipping.

Jon