Mystery Drive Belt

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Identification help please

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

This is the drive belt for the X travel on my Sharp mill. It is about 30 years old and appears to be in good order and works fine. As can be seen from the 2 pictures below it is pretty elastic and appears to be woven with rubbery material that gives a good grip on the pulleys which are a shallow V in profile and only about half depth. I'm thinking this type of belt could be useful for another application I have in mind.

I've never seen this type of belt anywhere else and the usual suspects among belt suppliers don't seem to offer anything similar. It is clearly very tolerant of pulley centre distance and mis-matched ratios.

Does anybody know where I might get something similar?

Thanks,

Rod

[tom horseParticipant @tomhorse80571]

It might be off an older type washing machine

[Boiler BriParticipant @boilerbri]

Not sure about that rope but there is a product called 'roundthane' that used to be available. It was stretchy and hollow, it fastened together with a small double ended jointer that you pushed into the cut ends.

it was in red and yellow material and was great stuff.

http://www.rsci.com/conveyor-belting-and-accessories-l-h-shingle-rounthane-belting

Brian

 

ps Kennions supply it

Edited By Boiler Bri on 16/08/2014 16:29:35

[BazParticipant @baz89810]

Roderick, I had an identical belt fitted to my Sharp Mill. It seemed a bit too big in diameter for the pulleys so I assumed the original had broken and this was a replacement. I have replaced it with the roundthane belting which works well enough and is a better fit in the pulleys. Only problem with the roundthane belt is that if left stationary and tensioned for a couple of months it takes the shape of the pulleys. Now I always release the tension on the belt after use.

[Arthur SixsmithParticipant @arthursixsmith43623]

We used a belt like this on Quick Stop sewing machine motors.Google for Quick Stop belt. There are two sizes. They where also used on a tape cutting machine that came from Germany. These belts where much better. Arthur

[John BaronParticipant @johnbaron31275]

Old washing machine belt. Probably Hoover twin tub from 1980/85 ish. I’ve dozens of them kicking about somewhere. They are about 8″ long with the belt squashed. they are actually rubber with a woven fabric jacket.

[Cyril BonnettParticipant @cyrilbonnett24790]

**LINK**

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

Hotpoint twin tubs also used a similar belt to drive the pump. Black and, I think, smaller OD (I have a couple stashed as spares for the "emergency" twin tub used when the newfangled machine goes down).

As John says rubber innards with woven fabric jacket. Found in several sizes on all sorts of lightish duty mechanical stuff from 1950's to probably somewhere in the 1990's. Had the impression that colour of the fabric weave identified size. Some were plain and some various flecks. Made only for OEM specific jobs I think, at least that was what I was told when I asked a belts'n bearing supplier for a couple of new ones similar to a sample.

Clive

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Gentlemen,

Thank you all. The belt was supplied new with the machine and works a treat. It seems that they are somewhat expensive to replace but fortunately there is no sign of it wearing out.

I've used the roundthane belting to drive various things and it is good but does seem to go brittle after a few years and start cracking. I currently use the melt-to-join belt on my GHT sensitive drill. I'm looking at options to drive a little Flexispeed lathe – I quite like the look of the V belt in Cyril's link – not seen that before.

One again, thanks,

Rod

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Rod,

If you are happy with the melt-to-join belts …

I bought some [looks very similar to this], from ebay seller Merlin Tools a while ago.

Very impressive quality … on par with the expensive Swiss version.

MichaelG.

.

Sorry; I couldn't see a Merlin listing today, and I can't be sure they are the same product.

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Michael,

Thanks, that looks similar to a belt that RDG supply that has a textured surface. Good stuff.

Cheers,

Rod

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Roderick Jenkins on 17/08/2014 22:57:15:

Thanks, that looks similar to a belt that RDG supply that has a textured surface. Good stuff.

.

It does indeed … in all but price.

MichaelG.

.

Edit: Just found the Merlin Tools listing

… together with some rather interesting Timing Belt 

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 17/08/2014 23:13:58

[ThsParticipant @ths]

Rod, back to the Flexi! I replace the m section belt from the countershaft to the lathe pulleys with an 8mm roundthane belt, which removed the vibration caused by the set in the original.

I have also used it on my Ultra mill (think BCA), and I have had no problems with it.

Hugh.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Cyril Bonnett on 16/08/2014 20:57:58:

**LINK**

.

Cyril,

I forgot to thank you for posting that link

… They list a very useful range of stock.

MichaelG.

[Author]

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