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MMD > Archives > December 1997 > 1997.12.10 > 11Prev  Next


Synthetic Belting
By Darrell Clarke

G'day,  Bob Klepner (MMD 971208) has obviously made a study of material
for belts (and whips?) and has arrived at the same conclusion as
myself.  My 1914 Stroud still has its original leather vee belt which
I would like to preserve so I now use a synthetic belt for normal
playing.

The first replacement was an opaque red circular cross section type
with a central hole allowing a small metal press-in stud to make the
join.  Very quick to install but too stiff to go around 2" pulleys.
I also found the automotive style rubber and cloth belt too stiff and
inclined to slip.

Next try was a solid almost clear type designed to be joined by heating
as Bob mentioned.  I thought I would be clever and make up a solvent
glue to join the ends rather than heating which I had doubts about.
Finding a solvent was not easy but eventually I found one (Tetrahydro-
furan?) which worked.

The result was never entirely satisfactory, needing to be re-glued
about once a year so I reluctantly tried the heating method and it
hasn't let go in at least 8 years!  Although the circular cross section
has a smaller area of contact than the correct vee belt, it has a much
higher coefficient of friction and has shown no signs of wear.  The
joint is also silent, unlike the leather belt.  I don't recall the
product name but it is possibly the one Bob mentioned.

I agree wholeheartedly with Bob on the use of synthetic belts, but
keeping the original leather one for occasions (concours d'elegance)
when originality is necessary.

Cheers,
Darrell Clarke
Adelaide, Australia


(Message sent Wed 10 Dec 1997, 04:45:00 GMT, from time zone GMT+1030.)

Key Words in Subject:  Belting, Synthetic

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