Broken Pulley - fix or replace?

[Ray C]

Randy,

In all this, I must thank Sharon as it caused me to actually open the cover and look inside -only to find about a half inch of chewed-up rubber dust and a belt that looks like black dental floss packed with chewing gum. I'll run after work and pick-up a belt and while at it, do a brief maintenance on all the other parts. It's been a couple years since I put fresh lube in the gearbox... I'm like you... It's been on the center sheave and I have all timing worked out and can hear by ear when it's time to stop whatever I'm doing and walk over to catch the piece before it falls in the pan.


Ray

Sharon,

Sounds like you are getting some good practical advise. Now here is my 2¢. I my self do not even mess with the speed changes. I am currently wearing out my middle sheave. I just don't find that it is worth the effort to make those changes. So, with that being said I would consider two options. One, just knock of the rough edges with emery cloth or file and never look back. Two, just cut off the broken flange entirely and never look back. Now with that said, it just may be one of those things that buggs ya. And if that were the case, I would grind the broken area and weld in some new and machine back to working condition. Then again, I may find that it is not worth any of the effort and just replace completely.

I think it is down to you just making a decision now. And that is something all these great minds here can not do for ya. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the choices. Well, I am sure this is really is a big help.

 

[PurpLev]

-only to find about a half inch of chewed-up rubber dust and a belt that looks like black dental floss packed with chewing gum.

OMG... just had coffee spraying out of my nose....:rofl:

glad I could be of service (again)

Thanks for all the comments/suggestions, some really good ideas here.

For now I think I'll keep things as is, and try to avoid this speed setting. as it is the slowest and I usually use mild/medium steel and alum I think I'll be fine. in the future if I'll see a need for that slow speed I'll try to machine an insert and replace just that sheave in the pulley, will be much less of a material waste than to turn the entire pulley out of raw stock - great idea

Thank you all again! now to focus on the rest of the saw