Fenner Twist drive belt question(s)

The subject of using a Fenner belt on a lathe and mill has been coming up in a conversation I have been involved in as to its beig able to be used on machine tools that reverse.. Just how many of you out there have used a Fenner type belt on a mill, or lathe? Have you had any problems with reversing the machine? I have one on my mill, as do a few of my firends, as well as a few that have them on their lathes, and they are run in both directions as well. Fenner advises against it, as they say they are not bi-directional belts, and only made to run one way. I have yet to have a problem on my BP running either direction. Fenner says the tabs will bind and catch......bind and catch on what?

Anyone here have any input on running the Fenner Twist Drive belts in both directions?

I can see if you had an idler in the system which may bend the belt back around the belts opposite face as to what rides in the pulley groove, as to making the tabs pop out some, and possibly catch but so far mine has been running both directions just fine.

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foundry and general metal working and lots of related projects. Regards Roy aka Chipmaker // Foxeye Opinions are strictly those of my wife....I have had no input whatsoever. Remove capital A from chipmAkr for correct email address

Reply to
Roy Hauer
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Roy Hauer wrote: (clip) Anyone here have any input on running the Fenner Twist Drive belts in both directions? ^^^^^^^^^^^ Is this the kind of Vee-belt that's made up of short links hooked together? This has been discussed at length on Rec.crafts.woodturning--many people have reported running these belts in both directions with no problems.

Reply to
Leo Lichtman

-- Visit my website:

formatting link
foundry and general metal working and lots of related projects. Regards Roy aka Chipmaker // Foxeye Opinions are strictly those of my wife....I have had no input whatsoever. Remove capital A from chipmAkr for correct email address

Reply to
Roy Hauer

Roy,

I have tried several types of link belting on my lathe over the years but the one I found a couple of months ago is the best by far. It's made by Fenner and called Power Twist Plus. It doesn't use metal pins, which have caused me trouble in the past. It will work in either direction although is does have a preferred direction as indicated by arrows on the belt. No special tools are required to assemble it. It cost £15 for a metre, which was plenty for my lathe. Hope this helps.

Regards, Martin perry

Reply to
Martin Perry

Ditto. I have run a PowerTwist on my 13" lathe for several years. It runs in reverse with zero problems. I'm guessing Fenner's caution is the typical corporate lawyer generated CYA BS.

Randy

Reply to
Randal O'Brian

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