Accu Link vs Power Twist | Which One Should You Pick?

When it comes to woodworking, precision is the key. Seasoned go for the ultimate precision in their projects to create beautiful workpieces. However, if a woodworker’s power tools produce a lot of vibration, such precision can not be achieved. It can ruin your work with poor-quality cuts and blade marks. Here’s where V-belts and link belts come in handy.

Accu Link Adjustable V-Belt and PowerTwist V-Belt are two of the best alternatives to conventional drive belts. Both belts offer excellent performance when it comes to reducing vibrations in power tools like sanders, jointers, bandsaws, drill presses, table saws, etc. 

However, compared to PowerTwist, Accu Link V-belts are more expensive, but they offer a better fit. On the other hand, PowerTwist V-Belts have a higher temperature resistance.

To pick the right V-belt, you will need to understand more about the engineering, applications, advantages, and drawback of Accu Link and Power Twist. Therefore, today, we will discuss all Accu Link vs. Power Twist.

Let’s begin! 

Accu Link Adjustable V-Belt

Accu Link Adjustable V-Belt is one of the most popular v-belts on the market. It is produced and distributed by the Megadyne Group. As a more durable and versatile alternative to standard rubber V-belt, Accu Link is trusted by many seasoned and DIY woodworkers.

The Manufacturer

Megadyne started its journey in 1957 as a small family business in Italy. Since then, it has been maintaining a steady growth rate in the power transmission belt industry. Now it has manufacturing plants in North America, Asia, and Europe. The company’s successful products include rubber trimming and V-belts, polyurethane belts, clamping plates, pulleys, timing bards, etc. 

Construction

Unlike conventional rubber V-belts, Accu Link Adjustable V-Belt is made of polyurethane. The belt is designed as a chain of polyurethane links. Each link is further reinforced with multilayer woven polyester. 

Megadyne included such high-quality and powerful materials in Accu Link Adjustable V-Belt’s design to minimize its elongation, which is a problem in most V-belts. Moreover, such a robust build makes the belt resistant to salt, oil, grease, and chemical damage. It also can withstand temperatures ranging from -25°C (-13°F) to 80°C (176°F).

Key Features

Along with offering a durable and powerful build, Accu Link Adjustable V-Belt is well-known for its easy installation, assembly, adjustment, and smooth operation. Thanks to its adaptable design, you can easily adjust this V-belt on the drive in seconds. And to do that, you won’t have to use any tools.

In addition, the Accu Link Adjustable V-Belt has a convenient inventory size. No matter what length of V-belt you got, you can easily store it as one roll. Moreover, its engineering allows for smoother operations, more effectively reducing vibrations than rubber V-belts.

Applications

The Accu Link Adjustable V-Belt is perfect as an emergency solution to reduce vibrations in a broad range of drive applications. You can comfortably use it for woodworking, marine, agricultural, glass manufacturing, metallurgy, conveyors, and other applications for a long time.

Pros and Cons

Below, we have summarized users’ reports on the advantages and disadvantages of using the Accu Link Adjustable V-Belt.

Pros

• High-quality build materials
• Easy installation and assembly
• Compact inventory size
• Smooth operations
• Simple and quick adjustment
• Amazing versatility in application
• Heat, salt, oil, grease, and chemical resistant
• Very low elongation and crack-proof
• Excellent durability
• Perfectly fits most machines

Cons

• More expensive than other alternatives on the market
• Lower heat resistance than PowerTwist V-Belt 

PowerTwist V-Belt

PowerTwist V-Belt is produced and sold by Fenner Drives. Just like the Accu Link Adjustable V-Belt, PowerTwist V-Belt’s length is convertible. But unlike Accu Link, PowerTwist promotes this V-belt as a permanent solution.

Manufacturer

Fenner Drives, owned by Fenner Precision Polymers, has over 100 years of experience in the market. This American company has successfully tapped into many industries, such as transportation, agriculture, food processing, mining, aerospace, manufacturing, etc. 

Its result-driven focus led the company to create excellent business relationships and technical innovations. Along with PowerTwist V-Belt, the company also offers conveyor belting, O-rings, keyless bushings, belt and chain tensioners, pulleys, and chain guides.

Construction

When developing the PowerTwist V-Belt, the manufacturer focused on extending its durability. Polyurethane and polyester composites are used in the belt’s construction. Compared to any conventional rubber V-belt, PowerTwist lasts up to 15 times longer. It has a link-style design, similar to Accu Link. This design significantly reduces vibrations in machines, which helps work with precision, reduces noise levels, and extends the durability of bearings.

Furthermore, the PowerTwist V-Belt has amazing temperature resistance. It can withstand temperatures ranging from -40°C (-40°F) to 116°C (240°F). It also has high resistance to shock loads and abrasion. In addition, the V-belt is resistant to steam, water, grease, oil, and other industrial solvents and chemicals.

Key Features

Just like Accu Link, you don’t need to accumulate different lengths of PowerTwist V-Belt. You can easily and quickly adjust its length without using any tool. Therefore, you don’t need to change the existing pulley system or dismantle drive components to install this belt. It also compensates for misalignment better than rubber V-belts.

In addition, PowerTwist V-Belt is recommended as a permanent replacement, not a temporary solution, as its durability is reinforced in construction. To further reassure this, the manufacturer offers a money-back guarantee in case you’re not fully satisfied with the product. 

As it is with Accu Link, PowerTwist V-Belt also offers better functionality than rubber V-belts. Its high strength helps to minimize vibration. The belt is also designed to ensure low elongation under load. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about its maintenance. 

Applications

The PowerTwist V-Belt can be used on any machinery, including table saws, lathes, bandsaws, drill presses, etc. You can also use it for agricultural equipment, packaging system, warehouse, snowblower, and other applications. 

Pros and Cons

Now, let’s take a look at what advantages and disadvantages users have experienced when using the PowerTwist V-Belt.

Pros

• Strong construction materials
• Handy link-style design
• Easy assembly and disassembly
• Low elongation
• High-temperature tolerance
• Resistance to abrasion, water, shock loads, steam, oil, grease, and other industrial chemicals
• Durable enough to become a permanent solution
• Comes with a money-back guarantee
• Versatility in applications
• Effectively reduces vibrations and noise levels
• More affordable than Accu Link

Cons

• Possible issues with fit when used as a direct placement
• Less flexible construction of the links

Accu Link vs Power Twist: Which One Should You Pick?

Let’s take a look at the summary of our today’s discussion before coming up with a choice between Accu Link and Power Twist.

Characteristics	Accu Link	PowerTwist
Manufacturers	Megadyne	Fenner Drives
Materials	Polyurethane and polyester	Polyurethane and polyester
Design	Link style and adjustable length	Link style and adjustable length
Horsepower Rating	Upto 500 HP	Upto 500 HP
Functions	Reduces vibrations and noise levels	Reduces vibrations and noise levels
Elongation	Low	Low
Solution	Temporary	Permanent
Temperature resistance	-25°C (-13°F) to 80°C (176°F)	-40°C (-40°F) to 116°C (240°F)
Abrasion resistance	Yes	Yes
Other resistances	Salt, water, oil, grease, and industrial chemicals	Steam, water, grease, oil, and other industrial solvents and chemicals
Installation time	Less than a minute	Less than a minute
Fit	More flexible to fit all machines	Less flexibility can cause fitting problems
Guarantee	No	Replacement or full refund if dissatisfied with the product

Accu Link vs Power Twist: Which One Should You Go for?

The short answer is – If you want a more affordable V-belt with high-temperature resistance, go for PowerTwist V-Belt. Although this V-Belt comes with a fitting issue, you can easily replace it or get a full refund from the manufacturer. However, if you want a V-belt to have a more flexible design that can better fit your machine, the Accu Link Adjustable V-Belt will be the right choice for you.