Best timing belt and pulleys type for minimum backlash

[Boyan Silyavski]

This is concerning. I'm working on my first CNC conversion of a milling machine and opted for belt drives in order to make the build more compact. And now, halfway through the build, I'm reading that using T5 belt drives will significantly increase the amount of backlash - something that I am trying my best to eliminate!

Sometimes reading the manufacturers general guide lines on the first page is better than reading 100 posts on forums. Its all there, the good and the bad in bold letters:


Are you too far to go back now? Belt and pulleys are so cheap. I would not be worried if i were you. As Jonathan confirmed, backslash is eliminated if tightened properly. However i would be worried if some of the pulleys you intend to use are the smallest for the belt size. Up to 18-20 tooth i mean. Implementing smaller than 18 tooth pulley is a call for problems with any belt.

Generally that's why people use so much HDT timing belt. Stronger than XL, better than the T for linear motion and requiring smaller pulleys than the stronger AT.

As far as i know Belting Online is the cheapest place, i buy from them so its worth a look comparing pulley sizes and so.