Belts - Whats the best you can buy?

Belts - Whats the best you can buy? Most of our printers use GT2 belt. So whats the best GT2 belt you can buy? I've tried steel cored it didnt work for me as my pulleys are too small (16t), and the steel wires break. Can you actually buy Gates original belt in this size? Does anyone know if a carbon reinforced/kevlar reinforced version exists? and where do you get it from? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,770182#msg-770182 Tue, 11 Aug 2026 03:56:56 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,848376#msg-848376 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,848376#msg-848376 DjDemonD General Sat, 02 Mar 2019 11:22:50 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,848359#msg-848359 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,848359#msg-848359
I saw that e3d has stocked gates belts now, but for 9mm gt2 the charge 1,5$ per 10cm, which is a bit insane when having 1m higher delta.

Is there another brand for belts that lie somewhere in between?]]> sungod3k General Sat, 02 Mar 2019 08:02:59 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,834678#msg-834678 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,834678#msg-834678
In my corexy NFAN printer I use glass gt2 2mm 6mm reinforced rubber belts from china. One closed loop 10mm wide gt2 belt for the z T8x8 leadscrews. I'm going to replace the 6mm belt with a 10mm one as soon as it arrives, sourced from aliexpress. I've selected a more expensive one, usually improves the quality too. There's a bit of ringing visible at higher speeds so hopefully wider belts are a bit stiffer.]]> imqqmi General Wed, 26 Sep 2018 01:58:18 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,834648#msg-834648 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,834648#msg-834648
Gates GT2 vs GT3

Anyone have any experience with GT3 2mm belts (Gates or other)?]]> gmedlicott General Tue, 25 Sep 2018 14:22:13 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,834585#msg-834585 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,834585#msg-834585 www.hic3dprinter.com]]]> npgoalkeeper General Tue, 25 Sep 2018 01:23:05 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,825780#msg-825780 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,825780#msg-825780 here, but I honestly don't recall. If you buy from any Gates distributor, you will have to buy at least 50 feet and the price will be about $2 per foot.]]> the_digital_dentist General Fri, 15 Jun 2018 12:11:49 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,825757#msg-825757 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,825757#msg-825757

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the_digital_dentist
I bought the Gates belt from a distributor in the US and paid $2/foot, and had to buy the Gates enforced minimum of 50 feet.

I have not noticed any change in print quality between the Chinese belts and the Gates belts.

Sweet, I live in the us. Which one? I think it depends more on the printer. My printer definitely printed better with the pu steel core belt. But the belt did not last very long before I had to replace it. Im hoping the pu kevlar belts that are still shipping will produce less artifacts on my prints again/ last longer.]]> warbunniex General Fri, 15 Jun 2018 09:04:52 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,825660#msg-825660 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,825660#msg-825660 DjDemonD General Thu, 14 Jun 2018 16:50:20 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,825640#msg-825640 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,825640#msg-825640
I have not noticed any change in print quality between the Chinese belts and the Gates belts.]]> the_digital_dentist General Thu, 14 Jun 2018 11:48:18 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,825634#msg-825634 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,825634#msg-825634

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sss
i bought gates gt2 belt on ebay , link:
[www.ebay.com]

can anybody tell if its a copy or the real thing ?
thanks

I can't tell for sure but I bought some of those and they seem to be good quality maybe they are genuine.]]> DjDemonD General Thu, 14 Jun 2018 10:21:33 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,825633#msg-825633 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,825633#msg-825633
Where did you get your gates belt and how much was it per meter?]]> warbunniex General Thu, 14 Jun 2018 10:00:47 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,825573#msg-825573 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,825573#msg-825573 the_digital_dentist General Wed, 13 Jun 2018 16:37:36 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,825571#msg-825571 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,825571#msg-825571 [www.ebay.com]

can anybody tell if its a copy or the real thing ?
thanks]]> sss General Wed, 13 Jun 2018 16:17:31 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,824637#msg-824637 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,824637#msg-824637 reprapworld.com]

these guys have kevlar & polyurethane belts in 6 & 9 mm.]]> warbunniex General Tue, 05 Jun 2018 11:38:40 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,773229#msg-773229 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,773229#msg-773229 DjDemonD General Tue, 13 Jun 2017 15:19:38 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,773228#msg-773228 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,773228#msg-773228 Using 6mm GT2 PU steel cord belts, using 40T and 1" smooth pulleys. Geared down 2:1 from a 20T pulley with standard 9mm GT2 belt. Red pucks tension white PU belts, grey 4 bolt pulley sets slide to tension 9mm belt.
Reduced tension on stepper, higher resolution final drive, more torque, and increased reliability.
[attachment 95292 6-11-17c.jpg]]]> prot0typ1cal General Tue, 13 Jun 2017 15:14:51 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,772788#msg-772788 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,772788#msg-772788 DjDemonD General Sat, 10 Jun 2017 11:23:02 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,772657#msg-772657 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,772657#msg-772657
After putting 32t pulleys and 10mm PU-steel belt to use I would only recommend it if you have a very sturdy frame and mounts. PU-steel belts are rather stiff and need much more force to tension them adequately (compared to rubber belts). I don't have a problem since in my printer idle pulley and stepper are attached to the same profile but I can see it being an issue with other configurations. Increased tension force also puts more strain on stepper's ball bearings which may shorten their life.]]> newbob General Fri, 09 Jun 2017 12:19:09 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,771278#msg-771278 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,771278#msg-771278 LoboCNC General Thu, 01 Jun 2017 11:56:43 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,771274#msg-771274 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,771274#msg-771274

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shortyski13

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newbob
To me the most important specifications when choosing the belt were backlash and repeatability. I picked GT2, 2mm pitch for lowest backlash and 10mm width for repeatability.

As per sdp-si.com, GT2 2mm belts have lowest backlash (equal to or slightly better than trapezoidal belts), that is much lower than GT3 3mm or HTD belts. GT3 3mm and HTD belts are more suitable for CNC machines than 3D printers.

What about GT2-3mm, aka 3GT? Not sure if the GT3 that you mentioned is the same as what you mean.

From what I read, larger the ptch - higher the backlash hence GT3 2mm is better than GT2 2mm but GT3 3mm is worse than GT2 2mm (for backlash, for speed and power GT3 3mm would be better). This makes sense to me so I stick with 2mm pitch.]]> newbob General Thu, 01 Jun 2017 11:21:45 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,771189#msg-771189 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,771189#msg-771189

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newbob
To me the most important specifications when choosing the belt were backlash and repeatability. I picked GT2, 2mm pitch for lowest backlash and 10mm width for repeatability.

As per sdp-si.com, GT2 2mm belts have lowest backlash (equal to or slightly better than trapezoidal belts), that is much lower than GT3 3mm or HTD belts. GT3 3mm and HTD belts are more suitable for CNC machines than 3D printers.

What about GT2-3mm, aka 3GT? Not sure if the GT3 that you mentioned is the same as what you mean.]]> shortyski13 General Wed, 31 May 2017 19:21:55 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,771181#msg-771181 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,771181#msg-771181

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691175002

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newbob
I'm curious why shock handling is an issue when you write that 3D printers don't handle high forces?

I'm sure you're right, but how much? We spend a lot of time and money on frames, motors and controllers, very little on belts.]]> DjDemonD General Wed, 31 May 2017 17:54:34 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,771153#msg-771153 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,771153#msg-771153

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newbob
I'm curious why shock handling is an issue when you write that 3D printers don't handle high forces?

I just noted it in a general sense, its not a drawback for 3d printing so fiberglass is a good choice for us.

In general I'd assume that overall frame and stepper compliance contribute significantly more error to the average printer than its belts.]]> 691175002 General Wed, 31 May 2017 14:20:28 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,770959#msg-770959 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,770959#msg-770959

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691175002
I've been using genuine belts (Misumi/McMaster/SDP-SI/Gates) just because they are pretty cheap and these suppliers keep a wide inventory of belt lengths. I have noticed that open lengths of belt are quite unusual in industry and are sometimes quite expensive - You can only buy genuine 3mm/15mm Gates in 100ft rolls and they list for >$400USD.

Steel core belts aren't really ideal for low force applications like 3d printing, and they also require larger pulleys or the wires will fatigue. You see them more often in large CNC routers that deal with high cutting forces.

Fiberglass has one of the best overall combinations of properties which is why it is so commonly used. It is actually quite stiff, the main drawback is poor shock handling.

Magnitude of force is not the reason to go with a steel reinforced belt, but rather belt stretch at elevated temperatures. I'm curious why shock handling is an issue when you write that 3D printers don't handle high forces?]]> newbob General Tue, 30 May 2017 11:10:26 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,770952#msg-770952 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,770952#msg-770952
Steel core belts aren't really ideal for low force applications like 3d printing, and they also require larger pulleys or the wires will fatigue. You see them more often in large CNC routers that deal with high cutting forces.

Fiberglass has one of the best overall combinations of properties which is why it is so commonly used. It is actually quite stiff, the main drawback is poor shock handling.]]> 691175002 General Tue, 30 May 2017 10:20:55 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,770947#msg-770947 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,770947#msg-770947
As per sdp-si.com, GT2 2mm belts have lowest backlash (equal to or slightly better than trapezoidal belts), that is much lower than GT3 3mm or HTD belts. GT3 3mm and HTD belts are more suitable for CNC machines than 3D printers.]]> newbob General Tue, 30 May 2017 09:05:43 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,770903#msg-770903 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,770903#msg-770903
Its a bit like tyres isnt it? On a normal run-around car, premium tyres are not really worth it, but on a high performance/race car and they are probably the most important part on the vehicle.]]> DjDemonD General Tue, 30 May 2017 04:29:13 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,770883#msg-770883 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,770883#msg-770883

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LoboCNC
I've had the same set of neoprene/glass MXL belts driving the spindle (1000-3000 RPM) of a homemade milling machine for about 15 years. I don't worry much about belts wearing out.

I would have to agree with this statement, Unless you are printing 24/7 with some massive loads on your carriages I dont think you would need to worry too much about the belts (as long as they are installed correctly, ie. no rubbing and parallel). You might get some wear on some of the teeth if you continue to pint the same size object, but you can just rotate the belt to counter act that. I would say more design thought needs to go into the belt path, tentioning, masses and motor selection then the belt itsself.]]> scottybfg General Mon, 29 May 2017 22:08:11 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,770876#msg-770876 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,770876#msg-770876 LoboCNC General Mon, 29 May 2017 20:55:48 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,770531#msg-770531 Re: Belts - Whats the best you can buy? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,770182,770531#msg-770531 DjDemonD General Sat, 27 May 2017 14:44:58 -0400