Re:Guides

> I am curious about the cost difference between chains and sprokets
> and timeing belts and gears.
>

The cost difference was not that great. An aluminum XL pulley was about twice what a steel #35 sprocket was. ($20 vs. $10, not a big deal). The reason I went with chain was because I could not find belts in the right lengths. Particularly the long belt to drive the two x axis lead screws. I looked at L and XL belt styles. I came close a couple of times, but when I found a belt that might have worked, I couldn't find a matching pulley in the right bore or diameter. I finally gave up and tried a sprocket/chain setup that I had in the shop already. It worked well, so thats the way I went.

The solution is to buy the belt that works, then buy the matching pulley stock in the right diameters and machine your own pulleys. If the chains ever give me problems, that's what I'll do.

Ross