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Post by liveoak on Nov 9, 2024 12:31:54 GMT -5
We've taken to make & use the green polyurethane belts, which specifically on my Model B, work really well, and seem to give more traction ( nd last longer) than the original rubber one.
But the problem is, it's hard to make them the EXACT length - a little too loose & the don't work.
So, my husband came up with an elegant solution for the belt tension issue.
He calls it the "missing link".
The below photos tell it all, easier than I can explain. But the take away, is that the tumbler can now use a range of belts & the tension can be minutely adjusted for variation.
I told him I thought he could sell these - but I'm not sure how many people try to make their own belts & would look for it.
Thanks for looking,
Patty
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Post by chris1956 on Nov 9, 2024 12:45:08 GMT -5
Great idea! Are you using a 3D printer to make the belts?
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 9, 2024 12:47:19 GMT -5
Leave it to Tom.  Thanks for sharing! |
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Post by liveoak on Nov 9, 2024 13:09:22 GMT -5
Sorry chris1956 , I didn't think about giving the link to the belting.
You buy the belting in bulk ( Amazon link), cut it and melt the ends together squarely. MUCH easier said then done, and if you melt it a little too much, the belt is to short.
If you don't melt it enough, the belt comes out right, but soon breaks at the joint.
BUT, when you get it right, they work great & last forever.
As I said, I'm not sure how many people would be into making the belts.
But we do this kind of stuff, and now that he made that link, the exact length is not that critical.
I believe you can buy pre-made poly belts, they are usually clear colored, I think, or sometimes orange.
But we go the cheap way, and believe in making our life harder 
Patty
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herb
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 473
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Post by herb on Nov 10, 2024 11:02:51 GMT -5
We've taken to make & use the green polyurethane belts, which specifically on my Model B, work really well, and seem to give more traction ( nd last longer) than the original rubber one.
But the problem is, it's hard to make them the EXACT length - a little too loose & the don't work.
So, my husband came up with an elegant solution for the belt tension issue.
He calls it the "missing link".
The below photos tell it all, easier than I can explain. But the take away, is that the tumbler can now use a range of belts & the tension can be minutely adjusted for variation.
I told him I thought he could sell these - but I'm not sure how many people try to make their own belts & would look for it.
Thanks for looking,
Patty
Great solution! Not just for people who make their own belts though. Would also be useful for adjusting the tension on an older belt that might have stretched a bit with age. |
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herb
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 473
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Post by herb on Nov 11, 2024 14:08:52 GMT -5
Sorry chris1956 , I didn't think about giving the link to the belting. You buy the belting in bulk ( Amazon link), cut it and melt the ends together squarely. MUCH easier said then done, and if you melt it a little too much, the belt is to short.
If you don't melt it enough, the belt comes out right, but soon breaks at the joint.
BUT, when you get it right, they work great & last forever.
As I said, I'm not sure how many people would be into making the belts.
But we do this kind of stuff, and now that he made that link, the exact length is not that critical.
I believe you can buy pre-made poly belts, they are usually clear colored, I think, or sometimes orange.
But we go the cheap way, and believe in making our life harder Patty
How do you melt the tubing together? I didnt pay much attention to it at the time but last year at my clubs workshop someone had a tool that cuts the ends straight holds them in alignment and then heats the connection to weld the parts together. I didnt see if you can control the temp or not |
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Post by liveoak on Nov 11, 2024 18:00:25 GMT -5
Well, herb you should get yourself with that member & make you some belts. That's an expensive set of tools ($ 150 +).
It's actually 3 tools, one to cut, one to hold , 1 to melt.
We have tried the hard way - and sometimes they work & sometimes they don't.
We cut the belting square with a razor blade, hold the ends in machinist "V" blocks, and melt the end with a webbing cutting hot knife ( like a soldering iron with a different tip), and quick like push the ends together.
Like I said, sometimes it works, sometimes no so much.
BUT with the new adjustment link, I just found a 5 pack of belts slightly longer than original , that are already made up.
Cheap, from China. But I don't think they would work with the original set up, as they are a little long.
Patty
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Thanks for sharing!
