Thread: sher AP400 thicknesser belt

I have had luck finding belts using companies like this one BSC Belts I have done google search then taken in belt and been able to match so far good luck

Thanks Fubar

I will try my local power tool supplier just in case it is a Makita belt...after that BSC looks a good option.

The belt has broken and all but disintegrated and I don't have a measurable length except at the pulleys. I will need to take the complete unit for comparison...that's why a Melbourne supplier or a known part number is desirable.

I lent the thicknesser to someone ( against my better judgement) knowing that it was only being used on new dressed timber to adjust some joinery details.

It seems that a bolt under the belt-cover has vibrated out and the bolt head has hacked up the belt.?...so it has probably been happening for some time. It was bad luck that it happened with someone else using it. Grrrrrr!

Any other solutions still appreciated

Cheers
Bob

Rydell is on Cochranes Rd, Moorabbin near Warrigal Rd and all they do is belts. If they don't have something they can get it, make it or it doesn't exist.

Thanks for another good tip. The info. sharing on this Forum is great!

I am waiting for some stock to arrive on an unrelated issue. When that happens in a couple of weeks, I will do a lap of the south-east suburbs and follow up these Belt leads at the same time. I'll post the results.
Cheers
Bob

Depending on what side of town your on total rubber in brooklyn should be able to help


cheers havic
<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">

Thanks Havic, I live in central Melbourne ... but "Need belt-will travel"

I have already visited Rydell in Moorabbin ços I was nearby. They were VERY helpful But I didn't find the correct size..a further phone discussion with their Guru..suggests they may have something so I will return.
Another supplier put me onto Mike from Total Rubber ( Now Absolute Rubber?) yesterday. He has (correct?) bellting on back-order so this is my backstop position.

The AP 400 ..like other small machines ..has no idler pulley/tension adjustment and so the correct length belt is needed...even though it is a dog to fit on the pulleys.

INFO for others chasing similar belts:

The Type of belt is a Poly V-belt.."J"-section ... google this for pitch/thickness and sizings etc. There are other section types available ..so you need to check your pulleys.

My pulleys have 8 grooves although a narrower belt can be used. It seems that the ribbed belting is supplied in about 1 meter long Sleeves/tubes ( of differing diameters) and they simply cut off the number of Ribs (belt width) you require from one end.
The tube I.D.(diameter) is therefore the belt length.

Poly J belt lengths are measured at the deepest (Pitch) point of the pulley so it is the INSIDE diameter/belt-length that is being measured.
A very fine string which sits deep in the pulley groove can be looped, marked and measured when laid out flat..this is about as close a guess at length ..possible.
After that you have to actually suck it and see..so I am travelling everywhere with the thicknesser in the boot!

We think that I need a 120-J (which is 12 inches) and some suppliers dont carry belts that small.

So the hunt continues. Thanks to those who have offered suggestions
I am learning all about Belt terminology

Will post result.

Cheers
Bob

Sorry to dig up an old thread but I have the same problem.

My thicknesser is the same as yours (AP400) and have confirmed the belt is the same, 120-J.
Just wanted to know if you had any success in locating a new belt.

Thanks,
Tim

Hi Tim,
I went back to Rydell in Moorabbin (melbourne) and again we could find nothing that was an exact fit. Like the 3 bears..too big; too small etc.
The 120J ..??... from memory was too tight and we could not get a 4/ 6/ 8 rib ( whatever the original was?) belt over the pulleys. The next size up was a loose fit.

So some lateral thinking and we cut the 120J into narrow (3 rib?..I will need to check) belts and voila! they could be just stretched and walked over the pulley ribs.

Now, instead of a "wide" belt I am running two very narrow ones 5 or 6mm?..side by side with one rib gap. Could probably run 3 belts?
Works a treat..For how long?..I don't know ...and I have not used it much since the fix.
No belt slip..they are very tight and the drive/belt surface area is same as original.

The other solution was to trash the thicknesser and whilst there are much better units available... this one suits my limited usage.

I will check the belt width in the next couple of days and post width.
Hassle me if I forget.

Cheers
Bob

Hi Bob,

Thanks for your quick reply. There is a Rydell in NSW so will give them a call next week to see if I can get one.

Thanks,
Tim

Here is a photo of the belts.

I am fairly certain these are 120 belts. If you are near a belt place ..take the machine with you...and or use a loop of fine twine wrapped and set deep in the pulley grooves. Pull on both ends and where the twine overlaps on top pulley..get someone to mark a biro line accross both pieces of twine. Measure the distance between the marks with the twine held flat on a bench...This is as close as you will get!

The belting comes in a tube or sleeve about 1 meter long and the nominated diameter eg 120......profile= J
These belts are then sliced off one end as the sleeve is rotated on a cutting machine.

Given that the belts are so narrow..only 2 ribs wide.( 5-6 mm).ask that they are cleanly cut in the next groove along so that you get 2 full drive ribs and parallel sides.
I notice one of mine is a bit wobbly..probably cos it is only about 1.5 ribs wide??.... in parts...Maybe had a rough edge to start with?

Reasonably tight fit...given there is no adjustment/idler pulley. Will this overload the bearings?..don't care cos the machine was useless otherwise. This is the best and only solution so far.

Cheers
Bob

PS the belt is marked in white.. GATES 5M325 ( maybe 3M325?) USA ( between the pulleys in the pic.) and has 3 other symbols/letters which I cannot read (seen at the larger pulley)