I was wondering how much difference those red link belt upgrades make
to a contractor saw. I have a delta 34-444 with the standard belt
(original issue- 12 years old). It does shutter and vibrate when
starting up and shutting down. Probably vibrates more than it should
during operation. What difference will changing to the expensive $25
link belt have?

"Jerry" wrote in message
ups.com...
I was wondering how much difference those red link belt upgrades make
to a contractor saw. I have a delta 34-444 with the standard belt
(original issue- 12 years old). It does shutter and vibrate when
starting up and shutting down. Probably vibrates more than it should
during operation. What difference will changing to the expensive $25
link belt have?


Well, the two things you mention will disappear, if mine's any indication,
and I had one of Gates' best no-memory types on it when I went red. The
motor seems to stay put rather than climb under load, so you literally can
set a nickel on edge and feed a chunk of 4/4 maple without toppling it.
Twenty-five will seem cheap after you've run a few boards through.

go to http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.woodworking and search
for "link belt". You'll get more answers than you could read in an
hour.

I agree with George. It is money well spent. You will get more power during
difficult cuts and the vibration is very low.

Tim

"George" george@least wrote in message
...

"Jerry" wrote in message
ups.com...
I was wondering how much difference those red link belt upgrades make
to a contractor saw. I have a delta 34-444 with the standard belt
(original issue- 12 years old). It does shutter and vibrate when
starting up and shutting down. Probably vibrates more than it should
during operation. What difference will changing to the expensive $25
link belt have?


Well, the two things you mention will disappear, if mine's any indication,
and I had one of Gates' best no-memory types on it when I went red. The
motor seems to stay put rather than climb under load, so you literally can
set a nickel on edge and feed a chunk of 4/4 maple without toppling it.
Twenty-five will seem cheap after you've run a few boards through.

I had an opposite experience with the green jason industrials belt. On
my Jet contractors saw, the link belt slipped, and howled horribly. I
had to go back to my no memory cog belt. That belt will bite hard
enough to stall out the motor, a 2hp grizzley upgrade.

Alan

In article . com,
Jerry wrote:
I was wondering how much difference those red link belt upgrades make
to a contractor saw. I have a delta 34-444 with the standard belt
(original issue- 12 years old). It does shutter and vibrate when
starting up and shutting down. Probably vibrates more than it should
during operation. What difference will changing to the expensive $25
link belt have?


short answer: LOTS. all of it good.

Quieter under start-up/shut-down, and no load.

*noticably* less vibration, which translates to smoother cutting, and
better 'ease of use'.

what more do you want? Egg in your beer? grin

My table saw shuddered terribly on startup and shut down, and
definitely did not pass the nickle test. New link belt=can ballance a
dime from startup to shut down! All saws should come with a link belt.
Worth every penny. Just make sure your pulley is the right size for the
right belt. I was advised to put a 1/2" belt on my 3/8" pulley. The
motor dropped twice. 3/8" works fantastic- If yours is 3/8 Grizzly.com
has them.