Low Tension Blades & Urethane Belts

[DR Buck]

 :P

I got a sample Timber Wolf blade from Suffolk Machinery that came with an information packet that talks about using their silicon steel blades at low tension.  It includes a section titled "ATTENTION WOOD-MIZER OWNERS" with additional special instructions for using the blades on a Wood-Mizer. In this section they talk about changing out the loose fitting belts for tight fitting urethane or B-56 vbelts to reduce vibration.  

 ???  Questions are..... If I do this change-out to my LT40 Is this a good thing to do?  What is the effect when using standard Wood-Mizer blades at the higher tension?  Is there any clogging of sawdust?

[Tobacco Plug]

I put on the urethane belts last summer and have had no problems with them.  Be sure to check that the blade screw in the top cent of the C frame is at 1/16", as per the Woodmizer manual.  The urethane belts are somewhat thinner than the B-57's and so this will probably need adjustment.

[MM]

When I worked for WM I cut many of those off mills. Guys would have problems with vibration and blade breakage. I don't know if they didn't follow the directions when they put them on the wheels or what?  I heard several negative statments about them. But it looks as if some have had good luck with them. I don't know I guess if they would send be a set I would put them on my mill and try.  ;D

[Tom]

Not being one to fix what ain't broke, I've stayed with B-57's and had no problems  On occasion I have had sawdust build up in pockets under the belt but just stop and clean it.  It doesn't seem to happen often and is easy to solve once you realize what is going on.

Companies will use all manner of logic to sell their product.  Here  is an analogy.

These tires are the best and will make your car feel as if it is floating on clouds.  Here is how to use them.

if you are driving a chevrolet,  replace the left front fender with one from a 57 ford.  Then get a wheel with a 4 bolt pattern and mount the tires on a  rim that is 1/2 inch wider than the one you were using.  The gearing in the rear-end should be raised and the transmission replaced if you have a three speed.  Only 4 speeds are proper because we've done a lot of tests to prove it.  Chevrolet doesn't know what they are doing by puttinga three speed in there.  Now balance the tire and keep your speed at 55 mph.  You will be amazed at the difference in performance. and ride and will always use our tires from now on.

If you drive a Ford,  replace the right front fender with one from a 57 chevrolet and.....................

 :D :D
This is, of course, a joke.  But, I do look at after market equipment from this vein.

[Bro. Noble]

DanG it Tom,

I got the right front fender off my Ford-------You know what they want for a 57 Chev. fender?  Now what am I supposed to do? :

[woodmills1]

I have been using high quality B-56 belts for years with no problems along with longer belt and blade life.  They are tough to get on though.

[Tom]

You're gonna love these tires Brer Noble. ;D  

[Minnesota_boy]

Bro. Noble,
I think Tom hit a wrong key when he typed that.  He probably meant a 97 chevy fender.  Now go price that!  

[neslrite]

Hello I am a new member here.
 I have been using the P/U belts from timberwolf for over a year and love them. I have a W/M LT40HD and would not go back to the B57.

They are a little tricky to put on, a couple of pairs of visegrips and 2 big scerwdrivers helped. Make sure that you have an equal  amount of tire projecting above the pulley, because once that you put tension on them they are imposible to get out.

[Fla._Deadheader]

Welcome to the Forum, Nestrite ;D  Hpw long ya been sawin ???

[neslrite]

2 1/2 years on my LT40HD and about 2 years on a LT25 before that.

[gmmills]

neslrite,

  I'm with you,been using the poly belts for about 7 months now . Been very pleased.
   As far as the low tensioned blade goes. I've used them and didn't see any advantage over Woodmizer Doublehards. They also cost more per blade.
   I am not too impressed with them .

[neslrite]

I have tried the low tension blades in both hard and soft wood with mixed results. Out of the box they cut great but dulled quickly. I prefer doublehards and you cant beat W/M's resharp!

neslrite

[woodrat]

I have the urethane tires and would recommend them highly. Way less sawdust buildup on the blades for one thing. You do need to be very careful installing them so that no sawdust is trapped underneath. I had to take one of mine back off to clean better underneath and stop the vibration. Now its fine. The blades are another matter. I like their quietness and the gullet pattern, but they are soft and do get dull kind of fast. Mine wouldn't cut straight in large softwood knots either, I suppose because of the low tension. I went back to doublehards for now.