2. analog
  3. 1265530297

VPI Flywheel or Fishing Rod Wire on Aries Motor?

I realize that VPI has some other upgrades that may be better than the integrated motor/flywheel, such as SDS and the ring clamp. Assuming that an owner already has these (I'm planning on getting them), how significant an upgrade is the flywheel? I have not seem much emphasis on this product from dealers. Is this, perhaps, an unsuccessful upgrade? One downside, it makes for a larger footrprint table, making it extend beyond most typical equipment racks...this issue may account for its lack of popularity? I have heard that just using an Aries 3 motor with fishing rod wire (e.g., SpyderWire) is a good alternative. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
mcmprov
dgarretson
2,599 posts
 
Spyder wire and other synthetic fish line is unacceptable for the VPI motor due to complete lack of elasticity. It needs to be tensioned very tightly to grip, and then acts like a plucked piano wire to transmit AC motor cogging as audible quavering. Cotton/poly, poly or silk thread must be precisely tensioned, but when this is done they sound both livelier and more speed-stable than the stock soft rubber belts.
mcmprov OP
57 posts
 
It was Mike from vpi who gave me the idea about the fishing wire. Somene must have found a way to make this approach work... for their ears, at least..
dgarretson
2,599 posts
 
I know vpi suggests, but it does not work. Perhaps it helps sell rim drives.
winggo
25 posts
 
Spider wire and other like fishing lines are made with little elasticity so the fisherman can feel every little bump on the line. There are, however, other types of fishing lines that do have a great deal of stretch in them.
I've used them for years and they work great. I used a lite line, 4 lbs or so, and double loop it. The finer the line, the smaller the knot. It's easy and cheap.
dgarretson
2,599 posts
 
That's interesting. Do you use monofilament? Another thing I did not like about all the braided fish lines I tried is the slippery coating. Standard threads all grip better around the pulley.
More to discover