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Post by DirtCleaner on Jul 10, 2015 15:58:03 GMT -5
Just about ready to fill my new/old 18" HP with oil and have a small question. The idler pulley has no tension on it. Should there be a spring or something? I have borrowed a photo from Orerockon as his pic. better illustrates my question. I am looking at the lower pulley that is hanging out below the tank.
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Post by captbob on Jul 10, 2015 16:06:13 GMT -5
Tighten up the bolt holding it to the leg and you should be able to just push that lower arm down for plenty of tension. It isn't going to be super tight like a belt on your car engine.
Clarifying, that bolt isn't going to be so tight that you can't push the arm down with just reasonable pressure. You can easily check the belt tension and give a slight push down on that arm whenever necessary.
ETA: I usually give a little pull up on that arm to remove all tension if I am not going to be using the saw for awhile. Not so sure that is necessary or even makes one bit of difference, just a habit I got into.
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Post by DirtCleaner on Jul 10, 2015 17:25:28 GMT -5
Asked and answered. Thanks.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jul 10, 2015 19:49:32 GMT -5
I always wondered that too (about a spring) on my old HP24. The idler on mine was over the tank and I kept one of my oily wedges behind the idler to keep it in place. I think a fairly loose spring would work well. Or a bungee not too tight.
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Post by DirtCleaner on Jul 10, 2015 21:09:37 GMT -5
Trying about a 3 lb. weight hanging from it. Seems good so far.
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Post by catmandewe on Jul 11, 2015 1:59:17 GMT -5
I hang a weight from mine
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Jul 16, 2015 14:23:46 GMT -5
My 14" Highland park saw uses a spring to put tension on the idler. Lynn
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Post by johnjsgems on Jul 16, 2015 17:46:08 GMT -5
The leg on my HP24 had a hole that always looked to me like it should have a spring going to the idler. The "temporary" wood wedge worked for the many years I owned the saw. I had a 12" drop saw that had a temporary bungee cord for about 10 years too.
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orerockon
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2015
Posts: 7
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Post by orerockon on Nov 15, 2015 22:36:42 GMT -5
Tighten up the bolt holding it to the leg and you should be able to just push that lower arm down for plenty of tension. It isn't going to be super tight like a belt on your car engine. Clarifying, that bolt isn't going to be so tight that you can't push the arm down with just reasonable pressure. You can easily check the belt tension and give a slight push down on that arm whenever necessary. ETA: I usually give a little pull up on that arm to remove all tension if I am not going to be using the saw for awhile. Not so sure that is necessary or even makes one bit of difference, just a habit I got into. I should scold you for stealing my pic Anyway in case anyone else stumbles on this post, the arm is tensioned with a heavy, short spring, around the bolt right under the nut, sandwiched between two oversized washers. Sorta the way HP used to do it (I don't know if they do anymore). You can't see them cuz they're on the inside of the leg. Crank that puppy down tight until the spring is all the way compressed. The spring will hold it there so it won't slip, and give yourself 1" of give on the belt. In other words, if you push down on the belt in the middle of the top run, it should give an inch with no problem, but no more. That's a good rule of thumb for any belt on any fractional horsepower motor. It will stay that way until your belt stretches, which it will as it ages, so check it every so often.
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Post by DirtCleaner on Nov 16, 2015 22:48:32 GMT -5
I should scold you for stealing my pic Anyway in case anyone else stumbles on this post, the arm is tensioned with a heavy, short spring, around the bolt right under the nut, sandwiched between two oversized washers. Sorta the way HP used to do it (I don't know if they do anymore). You can't see them cuz they're on the inside of the leg. Crank that puppy down tight until the spring is all the way compressed. The spring will hold it there so it won't slip, and give yourself 1" of give on the belt. In other words, if you push down on the belt in the middle of the top run, it should give an inch with no problem, but no more. That's a good rule of thumb for any belt on any fractional horsepower motor. It will stay that way until your belt stretches, which it will as it ages, so check it every so often. Welcome to the board. Very glad to have you chime in on the discussions. Thanks for the explanation. I weighted mine and have cut LOTS without any trouble.
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Post by captbob on Nov 17, 2015 0:18:58 GMT -5
I should scold you for stealing my pic What pic?
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