Off topic but snuggled right up to it.

[Wowbagger]

I need a belt for my treadle sewing machine. I bought it when I was a teen to sew Frostline outdoor kits and leather/thicker stuff.
Works good (when it has a belt).
I never really liked the round leather belts (I was probably ignorant of some special elixir to put on the belts no doubt).

Anyway the belt is now too old and rotten to be reformed (kind of like me).
I am vaguely picturing in my imagination some space age based material that I can procure that is going to make all my dreams come true such as the belts for "rollers" (old time bicycle racer winter indoor training device). They want silly amounts of cash for those so . . .

Sounds obvious but I need to be able to break the belt, thread it through the wooden cabinet and reconnect the ends; vulcanized or mechanical.



PS: if you want to learn to ride in a pack of riders shoulder to shoulder there is no better device than rollers (other than ridding in a pack and having people yell at you and possibly push you into the weeds rather than put up with you); notice she is riding no hands; there is nothing holding her up but the gyro of the wheels and her balance. :thumbup:

While talking . . . on camera . . . :thumbup: :thumbup:

 

[Horsewright]

Harbor Freight makes a link belt. Lots of guys use them on their grinders, saws etc. Suppose to be way smoother than a regular belt and customizable because they snap together. I have not used them and have no experience with them but that might work for you. Be worth looking into anyhow.

 

[Wowbagger]

Thanks Dave,

link belt

That's a thought. Would have to be extra long (hook a few together). Also much much narrower than most V belts; by the way this isn't a V belt. It's about the size of small vacuum hose on a car and it is round just like that hose. In fact vacuum hose would almost work if it had some fiber cords embedded in it for just a little more tensile strength and durability. I mean we are talking 1/8 to maybe 1/4 horse power here going through the belt. It's designed to slip pretty easily if the needle bashes into something it can't get through.

It may be blasphemy in this day and age but I can't help but say : I walked into a Harbor Freight store just once in my life and that was enough. Never again. It is like looking for real tools at Toys R us or how ever you spell that. Nah dude, nah it just makes me sad and disgusted.

 

[zzyzzogeton]

Would 1/8" vinyl gasoline hose with connectors attached work? It's kinda stretchy/resilient, fairly strong, easy to cut. You can get a 50 foot roll for less than $20 shipped off the internet.

 

[Wowbagger]

zzyzzogeton,

Thanks
I think that would be too narrow and maybe too slick. The leather belt is about 1/4 to 5/16.
I am guessing not too many sheath makers are using treadles.

 

[zzyzzogeton]

The 1/8" is an ID measurement so the OD is a tad over 1/4". I believe there is also a black rubber version, IIRC, that is more expensive.

 

[i4Marc]

Ebay is full of accessories like the rubber drive belts for sewing machines.

 

[Mahoney]

When you need power transmission stuff like drive belts, go to where the pros shop, places like McMaster-Carr or Grainger. Fenner Drives actually makes that red twist link belt in round shapes, although the smallest diameter of 5/16" might be too big for a treadle machine. It worked fine on an old industrial sewing machine I needed a new belt for.

But there were lots of choices of round solid and hollow belting in the McMaster catalog that I considered before going with the twist link that might work for you. They also sell the "old school" round leather belting and belt dressing...