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Where is a good place to buy a belt tension gauge, especially a good one?

 
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do they actually make these kind of gauges? i never knew that. What's it for anyway, which belt are you worried about?

 
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yes they make belt tension gauges, it is used to help set the tension on drive belts. I am not worried about any belts, but when it comes time for me to change my AC and PS belt, I will need the belt tension gauge. Just need a good one and a place to buy one.

 
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I've changed so many belts in my days and have never used a belt tension gauge. I guess my gauge is my hands.

 
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Well I would rather use one to be on the safe side.

 
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Anybody.

 
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i've always been told that if there's about 1 inch leeway it's tight enough

 
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Although this is an older thread, because I recently spent quite some time searching for an affordable belt tension gauge, I thought it would be courteous to share what I found.

The Honda Civic maintenance manual gives a specific belt tension for AC, alternator & power steering belts. Improper belt tension does cause premature bearing wear, and belt wear over time, whether too loose or too tight.

If your a tenacious and patient mechanic this simple belt tension gauge can give you an accurate and consistent measurement. It's $18 and available from NAPA. Could be available from other vendors also.

 
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I have always just gone off the cuff and most mechanics use about a 1/2" of deflection as a rule of thumb