Well its that time. Time to get a new garage door opener. I am debating between a Belt drive or a screw drive one. Which one is a better choice in your opinion. I like the idea of a whisper quiet opener with the belt drive. Any ideas?
Garage door opener Belt vs Screw
- Thread starter bustednutz
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I heard the main advantage of the belt drive is that its quite in case there is a room above the garage. Not sure if there is any other advantage to them.
I've had a Craftsmans Screw for around 6 years and love it.no problems to date.
Never used anything but Genie screw drives and they're not too bad as far as noise goes.
LOL...I've waited a long time to say that to anyone asking me for help!
Get the screw drive for one, simple reason: Reliability. Nothing to break, no frantic phone calls to find a replacement or someone willing to come out and fix it, or hope they don't overcharge you hideously.
When you get these items, it's really about that...worry free, long life operation...look for the one which seems to have less stuff to go wrong, b/c sooner or later, it will. The noise diff is insignificant. Always go with reliability!
Get the screw drive for one, simple reason: Reliability. Nothing to break, no frantic phone calls to find a replacement or someone willing to come out and fix it, or hope they don't overcharge you hideously.
When you get these items, it's really about that...worry free, long life operation...look for the one which seems to have less stuff to go wrong, b/c sooner or later, it will. The noise diff is insignificant. Always go with reliability!
7 trouble free years with a belt drive. It's quiet enough that you barely hear it on the other side of the wall inside the house.
Anyone seen/read about a broken belt? The most repairs I read about are in the motor/gear mechanism regardless of screw/belt/chain. I have seen a worn out nut on a screw drive and a worn out chain. I'm not saying they are better or worse, just my experience.
Anyone seen/read about a broken belt? The most repairs I read about are in the motor/gear mechanism regardless of screw/belt/chain. I have seen a worn out nut on a screw drive and a worn out chain. I'm not saying they are better or worse, just my experience.
I preffer the chain drive. The noise makes me aware that the door is being oppened if I am in the house. Its not really load IMO.
Kestas
Staff member
What's wrong with the old one? I had one quit, and it was the plastic gears in the mechanism that wore away... a rather cheap and easy fix.
I've had a Genie screw drive that came with the house I bought in '99. Has always worked, but man oh man, is it LOUD. Before we get into what oil/grease did I use, I had the actual installer come out and service it a couple of times and greased it up. It was really quite for about a month and it slowly went back to its noisy self. I just live with it and if it ain't broken, I'm not going to fix it. But, it still works great. Had to replace two sets of springs over the years. The garage door is basically our front door. We use it all the time. I'd bet it gets used about 6 times a day on average. Would I switch to a belt/chain drive when it finally dies, probably not. That kind of reliability and as often as we use it, I'd stick with Genie.
If I'm standing in my garage with my OH door open, I can easily hear the neighbor's screw drive garage door opener, from across the street. It is loud, and it is slow.
I was just in this situation myself. I was having problems with my 15 year old Moore-O-Matic (chain drive) opener, and Moore-O-Matic went out of business several years ago, so parts are unobtainium. Plus, the problem wasn't an easy fix, the problem was within the circuit board.
I went with a Genie belt-drive. I'm more than satisfied.
I was just in this situation myself. I was having problems with my 15 year old Moore-O-Matic (chain drive) opener, and Moore-O-Matic went out of business several years ago, so parts are unobtainium. Plus, the problem wasn't an easy fix, the problem was within the circuit board.
I went with a Genie belt-drive. I'm more than satisfied.
Originally Posted By: Vikas
I presume the "screw" is made in sections. How are the sections held to each other? What keeps them "true"?
The sections are held together with a key pattern that matches between 2 sides (think lego), and a clip that hold them together.
Personally I found that screw drive made in the earlier days that aren't multi section to be a lot quieter.
I presume the "screw" is made in sections. How are the sections held to each other? What keeps them "true"?
The sections are held together with a key pattern that matches between 2 sides (think lego), and a clip that hold them together.
Personally I found that screw drive made in the earlier days that aren't multi section to be a lot quieter.
I was watching a home remodeling show where they use expense home products and they said the belt drive was the best type. I knew a guy who had an old machine shop with equipment ran by leather belts that were over 100 years old. I think a belt drive in a garage door opener situation could last a lifetime possibly.
I installed a Craftsman screw drive opener in 2004 and it's been excellent. The door makes a [censored] of a lot more racket than the opener and aside from a quick wipe with a WD40 soaked rag and a spray of GDL about once a year, has required zero maintenance.
I would pick either screw or belt drive over a chain any day of the week - but make the decision based on warranty, parts availability, what was on sale that week, etc...
I would pick either screw or belt drive over a chain any day of the week - but make the decision based on warranty, parts availability, what was on sale that week, etc...
Originally Posted By: scurvy
I installed a Craftsman screw drive opener in 2004 and it's been excellent. The door makes a [censored] of a lot more racket than the opener and aside from a quick wipe with a WD40 soaked rag and a spray of GDL about once a year, has required zero maintenance.
Same here little WD40 once awhile and good to go, i dunno what every one thinks saying a screw drive is loud my Craftsman is not.
I installed a Craftsman screw drive opener in 2004 and it's been excellent. The door makes a [censored] of a lot more racket than the opener and aside from a quick wipe with a WD40 soaked rag and a spray of GDL about once a year, has required zero maintenance.
Same here little WD40 once awhile and good to go, i dunno what every one thinks saying a screw drive is loud my Craftsman is not.
we have more than a few Craftsman (men?) running here, both types. In my experience it is the DOOR making most of the racket.
The screw type just appeal to my sense of mechanical harmony.
The screw type just appeal to my sense of mechanical harmony.
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I'd take a belt drive any day over the ordinary alternatives. One can also spend more for, say, a big/heavy door by using a commercial style jack shaft opener. But do homework on brand & local dealer.
I spent a good part of today overhauling an 8-yr old Chamberlin chain drive. Not fun. But the rebuild kit through Amazon was cheap.
I spent a good part of today overhauling an 8-yr old Chamberlin chain drive. Not fun. But the rebuild kit through Amazon was cheap.
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