Thread: Sourcing belt for treadle lathe?

Pictures, pictures

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

Anyone got any clues as to where I can source the leather, 1.5" wide by 7' long?

First of all you need a cow, nurture it, feed it, when its old enough, ie when one part is over 7' long take out a very sharp knife and cut a stip out, ya dont have to kill the thing, just keep it calm or else your cut will be jagged and that wont do for a belt.

You then have to tan the leather, Im not an expert on tanning, so Ill leave that to someone else.

Hope this helped.

Al

Unfortunately you are south of the Murray, so I can't really help you with local suppliers. You will likely have to make your own from a half hide of cow.

Get a hide of 3.5 > 4mm 'Veg. tanned' leather - go to a tannery or a tannery outlet/leather hobby store, not a general craft/hobby store, unless you enjoy being ripped off. You will need a loooong metal straightedge, a sharp knife, a cutting board and optionally a 'strap cutter' - very handy gadget. It is difficult to get leather over 4mm, (hard to tan, low demand) but thick is better in this case - if you are at a tannery, tell them what you want it for - some old tanneries may already have leather machine belt stock already cut.

Identify the 'back' of the hide - it should be close to straight - the opposite edge with have 2 vaguely leg shaped bits and a couple of wrinkly 'armpits', unless you have bought a 'bend' or trimmed hide. (more expensive per square foot, less waste). Mark & trim the 'back' straight, then mark and cut your first blank along the straight edge. If the strip is not long enough, then cut another full length strip.

You will have to join the belt with the leather full thickness and butt joined - don't let someone sell you on 'skive-ing' and lapping the ends. There is a special system of lacing to make a flat join for machine belts but I can't find my reference to it, but a LOT of belts were joined with wire staples like the ones used to fasten cardboard crates - just punch or drill several matched holes at the ends of thte belt/s and join. If you use the wire staples, you need to make a groove for the staple to lie in on both surfaces.

Use 'neats foot oil' to soften the leather & stop it cracking a year or two down the track - not linseed oil, motor oil etc. and don't drown it.

Major leather supliers in Melb - Leftlers in Sth Melb. just go down with your
meassurments and ask for it in veg tanned leather

Try engineering supply houses (or bearing suppliers) who sell v belts.
It is possible to get a one piece synthetic flat belt which lasts virtually forever and they don't have the clunk that happens with a traditional joined leather belt.

Gday Skew, used to work with a bloke who restored a couple of model Ts.

Will drop him an email to see if he has any details on leather belt suppliers.


cheers..................Sean

Thanks fellas, I knew I'd get some leads.

It's at moments like these that I really appreciate this forum & its' members!

As I said on your other picture post of the Treddle lathe. Model T fords used Leather belts of that width. Suppliers in US provide them and the latches to make your own, don't know if you can get 7' lengths but I bet there are Manufactured substitutes that are from a roll.

I'll check with my T buddies.

Looked in Snyder's Model T Catalog

http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/de..._parentid=4382

The largest one I see in their Catalog is 30"



I'll still ask my T buddies for other sources.

Had another thought.... Ouch!

Around here, there are flea markets where craftspersons sell their wares and some of them sell Leather goods (belts etc.) they claim to be able to fit anyone. Wonder if they could fit a Skew with a 7' gut??? do they have such in AUS?

Perhaps they have goods of that length and would be willing to manufacture one for you. If you look at the picture of the Model T belt you will see that they are stitched together and a strong cording is stitched around the belt to keep it from stretching and to maintain strength, you might be able to convence them to make similar for you. May cost you equal or better to you initial outlay for the lathe but as a craftsman yourself you know that you need to pay for quality and individuality. But you might be lucky and find a fellow as myself who prefers the challenge of making a new product over the quest for fortune, and maybe swap some of your favors for theirs.

Worth an investigation.