DP1550 Drill Press Problem

[MilDoc]

I loosen the belt tension lock handles, and the belt tension handle moves only a fraction, not like it did new, and not enough to easily change the belts for a different speed.

Suggestions?

[BadgerDave]

Maybe there's a buildup of belt dust on the slide mechanism. Throw on some eye protection, close your mouth and have at it with your air hose.

I made a cheater bar for my DP. I stole this idea from somewhere, forget where right now. What I did was take a 1" dowel about 6" long and drilled about a 3" deep hole down the middle slightly larger in diameter than the tension handle of my DP. When I slide this over the tension handle its amazing how much easier it is to tension and detension the belts. Give it a try.