Drill Press Question

[Joe Johnson]

I have a Delta 16.5" drill press. I was reading in one of my old woodworking magazines where they suggested removing the middle idler pulley, flipping the drive pulley over and running a single link belt between the two remaining pulleys. Has anyone done this and how do you figure out the remaining speeds? It would probable run a lot smoother and make changing speeds easier.
Thanks Joe Johnson

[Jim DeLaney]

I did that with my Powermatic, but didn't see any improvement in smoothness, or, for that matter, in changing speeds. Since I often use the very slow speeds for hole saws & forstners, I switched it back to using all three sheaves. I did use the link belts, though, and they did make a difference in overall smoothness.