Author Topic: 3M PolyFlex belts  (Read 9993 times)

Offline cfellows

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3M PolyFlex belts
« on: April 20, 2014, 04:29:21 AM »
Just a bit of information about belts that can be used both for tools and models.  3M PolyFlex are miniature v-belts that are only 1/8" wide across the top but are incredibly strong.  They are used to power the Taig lathe and I've used them to power generators and such with model engines.  Making pulleys for them is very easy as the groove is only 1/8" wide at the top.  They are available on Amazon as well as this site:

http://www.vbeltsupply.com/ecommerce/3m375-gates-polyflex.html

They also seem to be widely available in countries other than just the US.

I am planning to use one to power a small generator with my vertical single 4 stroke engine.  I'll post a thread when I start the project and make the pulleys.

Chuck

PS:  I have no financial interest in this product.  Just passing along information that others might find useful.
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Offline b.lindsey

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Re: 3M PolyFlex belts
« Reply #1 on: April 20, 2014, 12:13:13 PM »
Nice tip Chuck...and Amazon lists MANY more sizes and lengths as well should the need arise for them. This may be just the thing for a better drive from my Tiny Power steam engine to the PMR Dynamo.

Bill

Offline TerryWerm

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Re: 3M PolyFlex belts
« Reply #2 on: April 20, 2014, 03:32:11 PM »
Just to save anyone from doing a search that might not have desirable results:  The Polyflex belts are made by Gates, not 3M.  I think the confusion came from the part number for the belt you mentioned, Chuck, as the number starts out with '3M'.
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Offline cfellows

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Re: 3M PolyFlex belts
« Reply #3 on: April 20, 2014, 03:47:29 PM »
Just to save anyone from doing a search that might not have desirable results:  The Polyflex belts are made by Gates, not 3M.  I think the confusion came from the part number for the belt you mentioned, Chuck, as the number starts out with '3M'.

Thanks, Terry, you're right, the part number had me confused as well.  I sure thought they were made by Gates.   :facepalm:

Chuck
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Offline TerryWerm

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Re: 3M PolyFlex belts
« Reply #4 on: April 20, 2014, 04:18:18 PM »
Don't feel bad, Chuck. When I read your post I first thought that they were made by 3M too!!   I know a number of engineers at 3M, both current and retired, and I thought it odd that they had entered into the vee belt business and nobody ever mentioned it.
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Offline Dan Rowe

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Re: 3M PolyFlex belts
« Reply #5 on: April 20, 2014, 05:36:17 PM »
If you are planning to make pulleys for a Gates 3M cross sectiom belt note that the angle is 600 not 400 as most V belts are.
http://www.gates.com/products/industrial/industrial-belts/light-duty-v-belts/polyflex-belts

Dan
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Offline cfellows

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Re: 3M PolyFlex belts
« Reply #6 on: April 20, 2014, 06:10:00 PM »
If you are planning to make pulleys for a Gates 3M cross sectiom belt note that the angle is 600 not 400 as most V belts are.
http://www.gates.com/products/industrial/industrial-belts/light-duty-v-belts/polyflex-belts

Dan

Dan, I knew these had a 60 degree angle.  Easy to make with a common triangular cutting tool.  But somewhere along the line, I had forgotten that common v-belts are 40 degrees... or.... maybe I never new that!   :-\

Chuck
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Offline cfellows

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Re: 3M PolyFlex belts
« Reply #7 on: April 20, 2014, 06:12:26 PM »
This is a video of my open column twin engine driving a 90v DC motor as a generator using a Polyflex belt.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXF6i00pE3c" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXF6i00pE3c</a>

Chuck
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Offline kuhncw

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Re: 3M PolyFlex belts
« Reply #8 on: April 21, 2014, 03:19:50 AM »
Chuck,

Thanks for posting the video of your twin cylinder.  Great sound.  Takes me back to the D John Deere I ran for days on end plowing wheat stubble.

Regards,

Chuck Kuhn

Offline PStechPaul

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Re: 3M PolyFlex belts
« Reply #9 on: April 21, 2014, 04:23:13 AM »
I just got a couple of these belts for my HF 9 x 20 lathe, I found a local supplier who sent mine in 2 days:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261441344015
 
The vbeltsupply source seems really good for a wide variety of sizes. Good to know where to get belts smaller than those usually found at Grainger, McMaster, Tractor Supply, and the other "usual suspects". Thanks!

Offline cfellows

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Re: 3M PolyFlex belts
« Reply #10 on: April 21, 2014, 05:30:40 AM »
Chuck,

Thanks for posting the video of your twin cylinder.  Great sound.  Takes me back to the D John Deere I ran for days on end plowing wheat stubble.

Regards,

Chuck Kuhn

Me, Too, Chuck.  I grew up in a small town in Iowa and I love the old John Deere's.  I have a soft spot for the Model "B", but the "D" is probably my favorite.  It was a no nonsense, here I come tractor!

Chuck
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Offline sshire

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Re: 3M PolyFlex belts
« Reply #11 on: April 21, 2014, 01:09:49 PM »
Perfect timing,Chuck.
I'm building the PMR dynamo and these look perfect. Ordered a few from V-belt supply.
Thanks
Best,
Stan

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: 3M PolyFlex belts
« Reply #12 on: April 21, 2014, 01:32:38 PM »
I just ordered two this morning. Now just have to adapt the two pulleys for the v-belt profile once they arrive. Thanks again for the tip Chuck!!

Bill

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: 3M PolyFlex belts
« Reply #13 on: April 21, 2014, 03:59:09 PM »
Within 30 minutes of placing my order for 2 belts this morinng, I had a call from Jeff Peterson at Vbelt supply just thanking me for the order and followed up by and email containing his contact info. and line card. I asked him if he minded me posting the line card here on the forum and he said it was fine, so I am attaching it below. If they follow up on shipping as well as accepting the order, I would say we have a source for belting items that actually cares about their customers (even us small ones) !!

Bill

Offline gbritnell

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Re: 3M PolyFlex belts
« Reply #14 on: April 21, 2014, 04:24:22 PM »
Hi Chuck,
I went to the link listed but I'm not sure which series you use. I would like the 1/8 top width belts.
gbritnell
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