Two things to look at on the belt. first is straightness at the joint. Put a 24" straight-edge up against the side of the belt on each side (or as long as you can get in there) and see if the belt is curved a bit. A 1/32" mis-alignment would make it do that. The other thing is, as you said, if the belt is a smaller diameter on one edge than the other from being twisted in the packaging, although I don't think that would make it walk back and forth. My money is on the slight mis-alignment at the joint combined with the way you have to adjust the sheaves to make it stay on.
I've got the original SB V pulley on the motor and it doesn't track quite perfectly either. I think the countershaft wheel is slightly off kilter. Its got a slight dent in it from it being removed in the past, not sure if its enough to mess it up or what. My leather belt also tracks about like yours does. Its the original belt that I have laced together. I'm sure its not dead straight, but it moves as it stretches. The lacing only lasts a month or so at a shot before it breaks loose and how straight it is depends on how deep into the middle of something I am when I have to stop and stitch it back up again. Time to retire the 1957 belt for one long enough to actually glue back together properly.
OK, one more thought after all our other chats...by any chance when you were doing the restoration cleanup of your stepped pulleys did you unintentionally remove the crown that should be on each step? I'm grasping at straws here, and don't mean to offend you asking. However, when I first started cleaning up mine I very nearly chucked up the pulleys and turned them smooth. A friend saved me when he pointed out the crown was supposed to be there to keep the belt tracking true. Nice shop, BTW!
The joint on the belt is the culprit 100%. If the joint out, even a little, you'll get a walk, until the joint passes, and normal tracking resumes. If you notice, it always find center, right? Vibration - that is all from an out of balance "bull-gear" (most of the time). But there's something that's out of balance. Happens on my old SB 13"
Beautiful restoration on the lathe thanks for sharing ......Paul
Two things to look at on the belt. first is straightness at the joint. Put a 24" straight-edge up against the side of the belt on each side (or as long as you can get in there) and see if the belt is curved a bit. A 1/32" mis-alignment would make it do that. The other thing is, as you said, if the belt is a smaller diameter on one edge than the other from being twisted in the packaging, although I don't think that would make it walk back and forth. My money is on the slight mis-alignment at the joint combined with the way you have to adjust the sheaves to make it stay on.
I've got the original SB V pulley on the motor and it doesn't track quite perfectly either. I think the countershaft wheel is slightly off kilter. Its got a slight dent in it from it being removed in the past, not sure if its enough to mess it up or what. My leather belt also tracks about like yours does. Its the original belt that I have laced together. I'm sure its not dead straight, but it moves as it stretches. The lacing only lasts a month or so at a shot before it breaks loose and how straight it is depends on how deep into the middle of something I am when I have to stop and stitch it back up again. Time to retire the 1957 belt for one long enough to actually glue back together properly.
OK, one more thought after all our other chats...by any chance when you were doing the restoration cleanup of your stepped pulleys did you unintentionally remove the crown that should be on each step? I'm grasping at straws here, and don't mean to offend you asking. However, when I first started cleaning up mine I very nearly chucked up the pulleys and turned them smooth. A friend saved me when he pointed out the crown was supposed to be there to keep the belt tracking true. Nice shop, BTW!
The joint on the belt is the culprit 100%. If the joint out, even a little, you'll get a walk, until the joint passes, and normal tracking resumes. If you notice, it always find center, right? Vibration - that is all from an out of balance "bull-gear" (most of the time). But there's something that's out of balance. Happens on my old SB 13"
looks fine , is it coming off? my idea is " dont look at it "
flip the belt over