Boardwalk EZ40 Bandwheel Question

[TroyC]

Boardwalk EZ40 Bandwheel V-belt replacement has turn into a problem. Put urethane v-belts on it and got them on fine, ran a few hours and had a problem where blade took a dive and melted the urethane.

OK, figured I did something wrong so called Stanton and he said B56 belts for that machine. Got Gates B56 on it just now, replaced blade. Belts are too loose on the wheel and I can almost take them off with my fingers when the blade is installed.

Machine is advertised with 19" bandwheels. Mine measure 18.5" across. Stanton says to use smaller belt. This is getting expensive.........

My question is if anyone has an EZ40 handy, could you measure the bandwheel diameter for me. Maybe my wheels are too small......

[never finished]

I don't have the same machine but a little slack in the belts doesn't hurt any thing on mine and many others.

[TroyC]

There is a lot of slack with the B56 belts. With the band tensioned I could almost pull the belt off with just my fingers.

[ArkansasOaks]

My belts are the same way.  It's fine. They run a little loose.  If nothing else run them and try it out instead of going to buy new ones.  Worst that can happen is the belt slips and a band pops off.

[Nebraska]

Mine were loose as I remember on my EZ Boardwalk.  You could try a b55 belt and I think fractional ones are available if you search for them. This thread reminded me I need to grab some new belts for my mill  as the tops of my belts  are getting pretty worn. 

[TroyC]

Put the B55 belts on it and all is good now. They were really tight getting on but don't slip/flop and run good now. Think I'll start looking for B55.5 for next replacement.

The original belts on the mill were tight on the wheel, no slop. I can't imagine that a belt sliding in the groove every revolution would last long.

[Magicman]

I have had B57's sliding in the groove for over 21 years.  No problem.