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