On the mill I am building I was going to use a over-center idler pulley to engage the band blade drive. I recently got a Noram Centrifugal Clutch and am thinking about using it for this purpose as they do on the Hudson mills. It is the proper size and horsepower rating for the engine that I am using. Would appreciate it if you would post if you have any thoughts on this. As always I thank you for your input.
Use it!
I use a noram clutch on my home made band mill, model 1800 rated for 13-20 hp, a friend of mine also uses them, a 1600 model will also do the job coupled to a 13 horse, as the band mill has no real loading, my friend has made over 130 mills using the 160021 version and not one has come back with any problems using a 13 horse motor.
Other clutches that are suitqable is the comet and the Hillard, which is much cheaper and just as good, see
http://www.directindustry.com/scripts/go_to_web.php
http://www.stens.com/dealernet/catalog.html?sType=3&part=255635
http://www.blm-cm.com/
http://www.gokartsupply.com/asymapp.htm
Hope this helps you
Thanks for the info. I will be running this on an 18 HP Briggs engine. Hope it works as well as you have indicated that they do. :)
Had good luck here too running a Noram clutch and 428 cycle chain with a 16hp. Not a lot of hours yet, but so far, so good.
We keep the blade engaged on gig-back to lessen the wear on the clutch; we only disengage when manually turning/clamping.
I'm using a BLM Clutch. Great Product and price and very helpful at the factory. As I recall it was about $250.00 and its for 2 B belts good for 25 HP
Steve
Are these clutches holding up good? I know WM used a clutch on their LT15 for a while, then went to the loose belt/idler engagement system like on their bigger mills. Seems their clutches couldnt take the constant in/out of gear all the time, and the only parts to replace on the other system are the idler and the belt. Not sure if the clutches were not up to the duty they needed to be or what, but I remember lots of old clutches layin around the shop... :) But if it aint broke, dont fix it... whatever works... ;)
THe American Bandmill I have runs a Noram clutch. My mill is 6 yrs. old and it runs perfectly. I have a Honda 20 Horse on it . I would not hesitate to use the clutch on a mill . I don't know how many mills they have built with these but I would guess quite a few.
Owning a machine shop I see lots of different mechanical failures. A clutch is a Mechanical power transfer device and if its to small it will burn up quickly. If you burn one up get a bigger clutch. But they are spendy and if your close to the top end of its power rating watch out. Good Idea on the manual belt engagement it's a real solid way of transferring power. Belts are cheap.
Steve,