Belt tension method using Neil Ferreri's tensioning block design

Following on from my detailing of my upgrade pathway for my standard Shapeoko SO3 here:

I have made a very short video clip demonstrating how I use the tensioning block designed by @neilferreri. The clip is unsophisticated but it will demonstrate how easy and useful is the Neil Ferreri design of tensioning block. Recall that I created index marks on the 600mm long rail. I measure and adjust the tension of the central 280mm length of the 9mm wide Gates GT2 belt by suspending it 1/4" above the rail. Plucking the belt and observing the tuner, with the addition of playing the note on a digital keyboard to assist with honing in on the note.

I use a vibration detecting guitar tuner attached to the endplates of my SO3. The tuner is set to 440 cycles (concert pitch A) and I adjust the belt so that the 130Hz note C3 (130.8) is in the centre of the scale and is illuminating the green triangular index. In music it is possible to be very slightly out of tune and I do not consider the belt tuned until I see see the index mark illuminated without any additional plus or minus cents (one cent is 1/100th of a semitone). Any and all comments are welcome.

https://youtu.be/7yrFKnG5ZQY

3 Likes

over rated… all you need to do is tension by feel, not a big deal.

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