Twisted flat belt problem

[CharlieNH]

I'm using a 5 inch twisted flat belt with steel alligator lacing to run the sawdust blower on my belsaw mill. I'd like to keep the two sides of the belt from sliding against each other in the middle between the pulleys, especially because the lacing sometimes catches and causes wear. Is there any good way to do this? Thanks for any advice.

[moodnacreek]

As you probably know an endless belt is best if you can get it on. The names of belt lacings [and everything else] keep changing. To me, being old, alligator style was the toothed kind you hammer in. The Clipper wire hook kind is better and nowadays Tractor supply has it for the round baler belts. It is made a little heavyer than formerly. You would need a jig that fits in a vice to use this style. Another trick , if you can go endless is to run a wide [ C or D] belt upside down. Also the rubbery style belts don't do well twisted. And then there is an electric motor.     I did all this with my first sawmill, a Bellsaw. In '96 I got a lane but I still maintain the bellsaw for it's current owner.

[moodnacreek]

Oh yeah, I once put a shaft loaded with pressed on ball bearings in between the twisted belt to keep them apart. All I can remember is it did not work.