Atlas MFC motor and belt tension

[brandon428]

Does anyone know what the belt tension should be for these mills? The manual says it should be "just tight enough to prevent slipping".

I currently have ~7/8” deflection center in the middle of the spindle belt, and ~3/4" deflection in the middle of the motor belt. I'm ok normally but do run into slipping on heavier cuts sometimes, so wondering if others normally run tighter. I have the original pulleys on it and a 1/3 HP motor which I plan to upgrade to a 1/2 HP one of these days.

 

[Jim F]

I have a SB 9, I run as tight as needed.
Sometimes slippage is a good thing............

 

[brandon428]

I have an SB9 too, and I run the belts tighter than this. They're much easier to adjust of course.

 

[wa5cab]

I would run them a little tighter, too.