Home  Resources  References  Tubes  Forums  Links  Support 
Cloth belts
11/16/2004 12:18:39 PMDean
Hi all!
I am currently working on a Packard Bell 58 which uses a mechanical assembly to rotate the tuning capacitor shaft when you push in on the pushbuttons. The assembly consists of 6 pushbuttons with 6 cotton belts, one for each button. The belts are about 1/4 inch wide and about 5 inches in length. Do anyone of you folks out there know where I might get some of this cloth belt material, or what would make a good substitute? Hope to hear from you and any help is very much appreciated. Thanks
11/16/2004 12:35:55 PMThomas Dermody
If noone comes up with anything, you could try using a canvass material. If you are good with a sewing machine, go to a fabric store and find the fabric that you think will suit the purpose. Perhaps blue jean or khaki pants material would work. Hem it properly. Most sewing machines come with hemming attachments, and instructions for these attachments, so you can get a good idea what you will be doing. You may need to hand stitch the seam where the belt joins, or you could insert one end into the hollow of the other (without completing the hem yet), and then continue the hem to connect the two. If you wish to rubberize this belt (don't know if your's is rubberized or not) True Value and some other hardware stores sell cans of rubber material that you use to rubberize the handles of tools. Dip the belt that you have made into the rubber liquid, and then work the liquid into the belt. Wipe off excess from belt and hang to dry.

Sewing machine stores have some very interesting assortments of belts. My Eastman Kodascope model L used two very small rubberized cloth V belts. I searched the internet for belts, but could not find any of the correct size. I searched projector supply stores both on the internet and in the phone book, but could not find any, either, so I tried all the sewing machine stores in town and finally found one that had two belts that worked (a few got me started as they had belts of similar size, but not the exact size, so I figured that one I havn't checked yet would have my size). All of the above options (internet, projector stores, and sewing machine stores) are great options for finding belts. There are many different belt specialty companies on the internet (most produce fan and auto V belts, which are way too large for any radio or projector).

Still another option would be to use flat copper mesh in place of the cotton. This is the material you find in various sizes used as shielding around wires, and also in a very small size, as desoldering braid.

I'm sure you can find a cloth, rubber, or metal belt somewhere that will suit your needs. You could even use leather or suede, which is fairly strong, and easily sewn. It will last for years.

Thomas

11/16/2004 1:01:31 PMDean
Hi Thomas and thanks for all the info! I will try the last thing you mentioned that had not occured to me, solder braid. What an excellent idea: readily available, easy to work with and can solder the ends together. I will place the seam in the middle of the belt so it will not have to bend around the mechanism pulley. Fantastic! Thanks for the idea. Maybe I can return the favor someday.
Dean

:If noone comes up with anything, you could try using a canvass material. If you are good with a sewing machine, go to a fabric store and find the fabric that you think will suit the purpose. Perhaps blue jean or khaki pants material would work. Hem it properly. Most sewing machines come with hemming attachments, and instructions for these attachments, so you can get a good idea what you will be doing. You may need to hand stitch the seam where the belt joins, or you could insert one end into the hollow of the other (without completing the hem yet), and then continue the hem to connect the two. If you wish to rubberize this belt (don't know if your's is rubberized or not) True Value and some other hardware stores sell cans of rubber material that you use to rubberize the handles of tools. Dip the belt that you have made into the rubber liquid, and then work the liquid into the belt. Wipe off excess from belt and hang to dry.
:
:Sewing machine stores have some very interesting assortments of belts. My Eastman Kodascope model L used two very small rubberized cloth V belts. I searched the internet for belts, but could not find any of the correct size. I searched projector supply stores both on the internet and in the phone book, but could not find any, either, so I tried all the sewing machine stores in town and finally found one that had two belts that worked (a few got me started as they had belts of similar size, but not the exact size, so I figured that one I havn't checked yet would have my size). All of the above options (internet, projector stores, and sewing machine stores) are great options for finding belts. There are many different belt specialty companies on the internet (most produce fan and auto V belts, which are way too large for any radio or projector).
:
:Still another option would be to use flat copper mesh in place of the cotton. This is the material you find in various sizes used as shielding around wires, and also in a very small size, as desoldering braid.
:
:I'm sure you can find a cloth, rubber, or metal belt somewhere that will suit your needs. You could even use leather or suede, which is fairly strong, and easily sewn. It will last for years.
:
:Thomas

11/16/2004 1:14:52 PMThomas Dermody
No problem. Isn't soldering braid a little smaller than a quarter inch, though? Well, perhaps it will work for you.

Thomas

11/16/2004 2:50:02 PMMarv Nuce
Dean,
A more flexible alternate to solder braid might be cloth medical tape, (NOT REGULAR ADHESIVE/PAPER OUCHLESS TAPE), which is available in various widths at most drug stores. Once the circumference is established, create a mitered lap joint sticky side out. Align and overlay a second layer on the first with sticky side in. A 1 inch width will yield 4ea 1/4 inch belts. If further enhancement is required, a thin coating of white glue along the edges will void most sticky residue, but not the flexibility. I've used this method on many similar brain teasers.
Marv Nuce

:No problem. Isn't soldering braid a little smaller than a quarter inch, though? Well, perhaps it will work for you.
:
:Thomas


© 1989-2025, Nostalgia Air