Flat Belts and Model Engines?

[Generatorgus]

I can't seem to find anything. The wheels of progress are turning in my head. Crowned pulleys, flywheels, belts???
GUS

 

[Jasonb]

Can you be more specific, what sort of scale, flat belts and the propper joining clips are available in certain scales.

Would also help to know where in the world you are rather than suggest suppliers thousands of miles away.

 

[deverett]

I've also often pondered this question. What do you use for flat belts about 1" wide?

From UK, I have tried green flat plastic belting as sold by one of the traction engine casting suppliers (LSM from memory), but it is too stiff and slips. Doesn't look very authentic, either. Now I'm thinking of making my own from thin leather. Cutting with a Stanley knife to width over the required length - say 6" between pulley centres, about 16" long - using a steel rule as a straight edge. The ends could then be scarfed and glued with Evostik or similar type latex glue and the joint stitched to prevent the ends peeling apart.

Any other suggestions?

Dave
The Emerald Isle

 

[GailInNM]

For flat belts up to about 3/8" (9mm) wide, a large number are available for electronic device service. Things like turntables, VCRs and similar devices.

The best USA source that I have used for these is:

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/browse/Belts/0000000162

They have flat, round and square belts and you can select what you want from the check box on the left side of the above link. The nice thing about MCM is they give the actual size and not just "this belt fits XYZ###" device.
Gail in NM

 

[Generatorgus]

Jason, good question, sometimes I feel like everyone should be on the same page I am, how untrue. You may notice that I have now released a clue to the location of my hideout.

I'm thinking in the 1/2" width range.
My first thoughts are, like Dave suggests, leather but I'm thinking that leather won't work as it would probably have too much stretch at that size range, unless you could possibly prestretch it.
Green is positively out of the question, it would destroy the look.

And, although I would rather any such belting would at least look "leatherish", I woudn't mind doing some experimentation, perhaps leather laminated on a more substantial substrate, but I think thickness would probably limit that. Or posibly faux leather?

Gail's link would be the easiest if the belting could be spliced to length, or the project be sized to existing belt sizes, but is subject to the "leather look" limitation, but better than green.

Still wondering if the crowned pullies or flywheels would function as in real life size machinery.

Oh yeah, I'm thinking about driving a generator, of course.

Thanks
GUS

 

[trumpy81]

Gus, you could use leather. Simply soak it in water for a day or so and then let it dry in the sun for about a week, that should take care of any stretching that might occur. You could then splice and glue together and use simple paper staples to represent the hinge and pins (forgot what it's actually called ... doh!).

Food for thought.

 

[canadianhorsepower]

I can't seem to find anything. The wheels of progress are turning in my head. Crowned pulleys, flywheels, belts???
GUS

Hi try this supllier, I've been using it for over a decade building robots
and doesn't matter what I think.... they carry it

http://www.sdp-si.com/

 

[deverett]

Snip ... and use simple paper staples to represent the hinge and pins.

STAPLES. That's a darn good idea. Much easier than sewing!

Dave
The Emerald Isle

 

[Generatorgus]

Guys, thanks for the replies and links. At least I have some options to ponder.

Trumpy, I think they're called laces. I have a full size belt lacer.
Thanks
GUS

 

[trumpy81]

Guys, thanks for the replies and links. At least I have some options to ponder.

Trumpy, I think they're called laces. I have a full size belt lacer.
Thanks
GUS

Thanks Gus. I knew it was something simple but just couldn't prod the grey matter into giving it up ...

I'll try not to forget it next time

There's a couple of videos on YouTube about lacing, one is by Tubalcain (MrPete22) and the other by Keith Fenner. Both worth watching even if you're an old hand at it.

 

[Generatorgus]

Andy, a mind is a terrible thing to lose. I try to make sure I know where mine is at all times, but sometimes I misplace it.

I've only used the lacer a couple of times, it worked, but I had no idea what I was doing.

GUS

 

[trumpy81]

Gus, the main thing is that it worked!

I constantly have no idea what I'm doing but I get it done anyhow ... or trash it ... as the case may be ...

 

[mrspoom]

thin naga hide glued face to face with the clothe facing out might give the apperance of a flat belt.