Drill press belt tensioner mechanism

J

jmarkwolf

Active User
H-M Supporter Gold Member
I bought a used Wilton 2550 20 inch drill press, (same as the JET J-2550). The belt tensioning mechanism appears to be the same on other Asian drill presses as well. The following Youtube video describes how this tensioner works.


It seems kinda cheesy to me (see exploded view below). The "cam lever" #29 rotates maybe 50 degrees, which turns the "cam" #30. The peg sticking out the side of the "cam" lobe engages the turned down portion of the "slide bar" #32. The slide bar pushes the motor back and tensions the belts.

When I got the drill press, the cam lever was free swinging because the peg in the side of the cam had popped out of the turned down portion of the slide bar.

It seems to me that it might be problematic when the belts stretch, etc. While I was experimenting with no belts on the machine, the peg easily jumped out of the slot. Perhaps the belts will always keep it engaged, but I'm kind of toying with the idea of replacing it with a home brew rack and pinion, kind of like a drill press spindle on it's side.

Can anyone advise if this mechanism does indeed work reliably on their drill presses?

Drill_press_belt_tensioner.jpg
 
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i can't comment on how the mechanism performs, i don't have it in any of my drill presses.
the idea looks simple and effective enough though-
the 2 shafts that are coupled to the motor mount plate are extended and retracted, a lock knob locks in a slot on one of the shafts when correct tension is achieved.
unless it proves to be unreliable, i'd be tempted to work with the design until i was given reason to ponder change

the rack and pinion would be a sweet addition though! :big grin:
 
My 25+ year old Jet works the same way. It's crude, but it's always worked.
Could you turn a new peg that's a little longer, wider, or whatever to improve function?
 
This belt tensioning system looks exactly like the one on my 20” Grizzly drill press, which I have owned for 16 years. I have never had any problems whatsoever with belt tension, the system works great. I’m not so sure that you need to improve it but I guess things can always be better, good luck on your decision.
 
Well, that's encouraging. Thanks for the data everybody.

I'll re-assemble as-is and assume it'll work for me.
 
I have the same mechanism on a couple of my tools. Works OK, because belts don't really need to be "farmer tight." If absolutely necessary, I'll push on the motor some other way, use the lever to hold that position, then tighten the lock bolt(s).
 
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