So, I want to replace the belts on my two DP's, one a 17" GI and the other a 15" Jet. I was pulling the chuck from each today and the belt set on both made it difficult to pull the chuck. After rotating the chuck to expose the tang, the set would rotate it again before I could insert the arbor key. The GI has an A27 and an A28 belt. The Jet has an A24 and an A29.5 belt. Really, it says A-29.5 on it.

The cost difference between an OK belt and a great belt is not enough to make me think twice. They say the AX cogged belt is a lot smoother. My thoughts were to buy a Gates or Goodyear belt and be done.

McMaster-Carr has everything in a cogged Gates (I think) belt, except the 29.5". Whats a good belt to install and do I really need to order a custom belt?