I have looked at previous posts on belts and they mostly discuss folks preferences on length B56 B57 etc.
My question is what brands have folks found that wear the best/longer etc.
There are as many manufacturers as can be counted, some of which I have never heard of and others that are common names.
Just curious what folks have found wear the best with the least issues.
Is the price just reflective of the name recognition or are they higher quality?
Would guess most are Chinese sourced but you can get good products from the PRC and you can get less than good products.
Don't actually know what belts are US sourced anymore.
The belts that Wood-Mizer sells are especially manufactured to their specifications. They are flat topped rather than crowned and there is no ply overlap on the top which could cause vibration. The belts are very reasonably priced. Matter of fact I personally have never seen any Wood-Mizer replacement parts that were not comparatively priced.
Do you have to own a WM to buy parts from them?
I would think they would sell to any one that is willing to pay. They are in retail.
Just give them a call. Worst They can say is no but I'd be surprised. Indy number is
1800 553 0182
I only use belts from woodmizer. I know there right that way. I've never had trouble with them the price is more than fair and I get parts next day when I order from WM
My understanding is that you must be a registered WM sawmill owner and have a customer number to buy replacement sawmill parts, etc, but I would think that blades and belts would be disposable items and for sale to anyone.
Make the call and then please report back here.
Yes I would be interested to know
I have tried other brands of belts - not worth it, they don't last nearly as long, the WM belts are the way to go.
Copy on all. Ill contact them and report back. There are some parts i would like to incorporate from their line of mills, into mine. But i WOULD need a part number, and im sure that the only to get the maint and ipc manauls, is to be a registered wm owner.
I definitely be interested to know to. I want some of their parts on my mill.
Whatever you do dont buy the Orange tight fitting belts they are crap
It's my understanding the woodmizer supplied belts are made by goodyear and browning..The internal construction is different from parts store belts. I usually have the guys toss a couple of belts in the box when I order new blades, even if I don't need them at the time..
Does WM also sell belts that will be tight on the wheel, or just the floppies.?? Frank C.
Just b57 to my knowledge.
I had a short romance with 56s in the far distant past
Quote from: pine on September 12, 2018, 01:00:47 PM
I have looked at previous posts on belts and they mostly discuss folks preferences on length B56 B57 etc.
My question is what brands have folks found that wear the best/longer etc.
There are as many manufacturers as can be counted, some of which I have never heard of and others that are common names.
Just curious what folks have found wear the best with the least issues.
Is the price just reflective of the name recognition or are they higher quality?
Would guess most are Chinese sourced but you can get good products from the PRC and you can get less than good products.
Don't actually know what belts are US sourced anymore.
Lots of comments/answers regarding Woodmizer/B57 belts but nothing for the B56 belt side of the OP's question.
As a non Woodmizer owner and a user of B56 belts I also would like to see if anyone has any experience with which brand of B56 belts work the best.
It used to be Goodyear that stood up the best until they cheapened them up. Steve
Quote from: Furu on September 14, 2018, 02:32:11 PMbut nothing for the B56 belt side of the OP's question
I fail to read where there was a B56 vs B57 side of the OP's question. To me he said that he had seen those discussions but now wanted to know what brands that we have found to wear the best/longer, etc.
My new belts say: Wood-Mizer and Made in Mexico. The only time that I ever have to replace them is because they sometimes get cut by a broken blade. I don't think that I have ever actually worn one out. As long as you have plenty of height above the bandwheels you are good to go. I actually replace cut belts that would still run but to run them would be sorta like wearing your cleanest dirty shirt. I probably use 3-4 belts per year.
When I built my band mill 15 years ago I put a pair of Gates B-56 belts on. I still have the same belts on. They have changed the profile of the belts I tried a new set but the top would not clear the top of the sheeve and the band would be rubbing on iron. I put the old belts back on, really no wear on them. I have run mills with loose belts and can see no advantage other than ease of installation. I like belts with a slight crown for the same reason metal wheels have a crown. Flat top belts work but I've found them a little fussier to align. I am keeping my eyes open for some new old stock belts as I would sooner not grind down the lips on my sheeves for clearance. Frank C.
Quote from: petefrom bearswamp on September 13, 2018, 05:29:31 PM
Whatever you do dont buy the Orange tight fitting belts they are crap
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/DSCN0275.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1267041247)
I also fell for that dumbo-jumbo.....once. :-\
I second the orange belt fiasco, I tried a set. If you have them already or are just itching to try them follow the directions and lube them well. If not there will be stretched thin spots and a bumpy ride for the band. Frank C.
FWIW, non-WM owners can buy mill parts from Wood-Mizer (but perhaps not all parts are available ???).
I spoke with a woodmizer salesman the other day in east tx. He said SOME parts are NOT available for purchase to non wm owners, but a good bit are available. A non wm owner just needs to set up a purchase acct or something to that affect.