Hi Jim
Yeah the three holes are what's found on the very expensive brand name model that inspired this, to tell the truth I just use it as it is set up, works for me
Hi Ed
It doesn't seem to matter which way the belt runs, but I can only say that's what works for me, caveat emptor and all that.
the Echter article explains how he was able to reverse the belt direction very easily, on my kit the spindle for the sanding disk sits exactly where the figure of eight crossover/waist would be so I couldn't do it, I probably would have if I could to be fair.
I got my disk/belt from flea bay for a tenner so I was happy to give it a go.
Can I also say for all of those folks who think they can't do metal work, I am your unacknowledged king, this is the first thing mechanical I have ever done, that is drilling the holes into the metal side, took a few minutes with my hand drill and I just used the bolt to cut the thread, works a treat.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Kevin