The Home Machinist!

Gates claims their V80 series matches any other V80 belt of the same size and type.

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Mr Ron, Almost as smart as the average bear.

I find it hard to believe that Gates would claim to match ANY other manufacturers belt. However, I believe that they, along with other manufacturers, have their production processes refined to the point that "matched" belts are no longer necessary, provided they are of the same manufacturer.

My wife say's Kohl's or Peeble's I believe her 'cause she has more matched belts, shoes and purses than anyone else I know of.

steve

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http://www.totallyscrewedmachineshop.com

I needed a matched set of belts for a lathe recently. I called Motion to order a matched set and they told me that it wasn't necessary because of the qualtity of the belts today, they all match. They said they could get a matched set for a little more money if that's what I really wanted. I ordered the matched set. When i was installing them I noticed they were made in China. One of the reasons I buy from places like Motion and others is to stay away from imported junk sold at the local auto supply. I'll still buy from motion..but in the future I'll stipulate that I don't want chinese products.

The harsh reality is, if you do that, you likely won't be able to buy your needs. Most everything, these days, is made in China. The US, in all its wisdom, concluded, long ago, that we have no need to produce things here any longer. After all, we're a "service" society.

Sad.

Very sad, indeed!


Harold

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Wise people talk because they have something to say. Fools talk because they have to say something.

I just looked a a dozen spare v-belts I have hangin' in the shop, being curious....

All are genuine Gates brand.
One was made in the good ol' USA.
The eleven others.....made in Mexico.

Never had a problem with Gates belts, including any length problems.....but that kinda surprised me.

Bill

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Today's solutions are tomorrow's problems.

instead of looking for MATCHED BELTS, get a BANDED BELT.

This is a pair of belts with a band connecting the 2 (or 3) of them.

Think of an automotive 'poly-v' - only BIGGER.

Absolutely no possibility of differential driving this way, and belt life goes WAY UP as a result. I learned this trick 40+ years ago and have since NEVER installed multiple belts on anything that weren't banded.

Yes, they are a couple of $$ more, but you get what you pay for.

Up date:

I just cleaned up the old belts and was able to snap a picture of the belt ID. These are Gates Process Power II B48 V80 belts.


I will be contacting Motion Industries this week and see how much they will cost. I can only imagine they are expensive.

Due to the oily condition, the jacket over the Vee is almost completely deteriorated and can't last much longer under load.

Steve

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Jet vertical Mill, Champion 12X30 lathe, Amer. Mach. Tool radial drill, 24"X60" LeBlond lathe, Scharmann 3" Hrz Brg Mill, Steptoe 18" Shaper, South Bend Shaper, Jet 14" Power Hacksaw, B & S (No.4 36") Gear Cutting Mach., Wm Pilton vert. Slotter, Enco 12" horz. saw, McEnglevan MP36 foundry furnace, Rockwell 14"X42" lathe, K&T 2H univ horz. mill

McmasterCarr less than $15 for B 48s each. They do not list matched shorter than B 53. Still should be less than $50 for the pair.

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www.chaski.com

Checked Motion Industries and they have them for $17. Only one in stock but can get more with a days notice.

Note: they use to be Garish Bearing of Tacoma and carried everything "for sure" but now they are just a local distributor with all their inventory in a warehouse in Seattle or Portland or ??. The Seattle warehouse is not an outlet, just a bulk storage. Gotta wonder??

I'll give them a shout the next time I'm over that way and save the shipping.

Thanks for all the input and encouraging comments to this topic.

Steve

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Jet vertical Mill, Champion 12X30 lathe, Amer. Mach. Tool radial drill, 24"X60" LeBlond lathe, Scharmann 3" Hrz Brg Mill, Steptoe 18" Shaper, South Bend Shaper, Jet 14" Power Hacksaw, B & S (No.4 36") Gear Cutting Mach., Wm Pilton vert. Slotter, Enco 12" horz. saw, McEnglevan MP36 foundry furnace, Rockwell 14"X42" lathe, K&T 2H univ horz. mill

When I wanted matched belts for my LeBlond, I went here:

http://www.vbeltsupply.com/

and ordered the "banded" belts that were mentioned a few posts back. The banded belt runs much smoother with less "jumping about" than several "matched belts".

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Dayton, OH

that is one of the reason BANDED belts exist - and why I recommended them.

They have been an industrial mainstay for 35+ years (that I have been using them).

The only time you don't want to use them is in an environment where dust / fibers / dirt / etc can build up between the belts.

Usually, this is not a problem with lathes or milling machines.