Beginner Question Thread! 2023 Edition

[b264]

I’m only one person that prefers not to use them, but for me they are additional failure points, they make it more difficult to select belt sizes, it’s more weight, and I haven’t seen much better results using them.

Belt alignment is also important.

@b264

Alignment – the best way I’ve found to perfectly align belts is

• get motor mount (without motor) snug on hanger, then loosen a tiny bit so it moves
• install wheel and pulley with no speedring (washer) between the hanger and inner bearing.
• push motor mount flush up against wheel pulley so they are touching each other
• keep those held tightly together while you tighten motor mount clamps
• make sure mount is flush against, and touching, the wheel pulley, and there is no gap or misalignment
• finish tightening mount clamp all the way
• make sure again that mount is flush against, and touching, the wheel pulley, and there is no gap or misalignment
• when you’re all done, take the wheel and pulley back off, add a single 1mm speedring (washer) and just like that, the pulley will be perfectly aligned and 1mm away from the motor mount plate
• if you need it further away when you are doing tensioning, then add more washers

And also make sure your pulleys are concentric and don’t wobble at all