[AT] Reconditioning Leather belting

Dave Rotigel rotigel at me.com
Tue Jan 17 08:52:17 PST 2012


Larry, You might be interesting in: http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/antique-machinery-history/restoring-nos-old-leather-belting-208965/
	Dave

On Jan 17, 2012, at 10:33 AM, Larry Goss wrote:

> Right.  Thanks, Roy, Mike, and others.  This thread is heading in the right direction, I think.  The belt has not been abused, but has been neglected to the point of being useless until some major restoration happens to it.  I suspect that it has not been used for 50-60 years (or longer), and is stiff as a board.  I'm really hoping to get some feedback from sources that may have information regarding the newer non-wax based treatments that contain glycerin.  I have used a glycerin/alcohol combination for rejuvenating wood for years, and some of the sites offering restorative products almost talk about the process as very similar.  I also have referred to a repro copy of a book giving old-time recipes and formulas for everything under the sun -- done the way they did things back in the 1870's.  One of the precautions both the old and present-day information cautions against is how to get rid of the build up of wax and residue from neatsfoot oil. I'm a long way from having th
 a!
> t problem at this point, but I'm hoping to find a more modern product that "does what needs to be done" to this belt.  BTW, I do NOT plan on getting close to this belt with any alcohol-based chemical.
> 
> I bought a quart of Leather New from Rural King last week.  I started using that on the belt yesterday afternoon, and ended up swabbing on the whole quart. I suspect the belt would take another gallon before it stops absorbing that conditioner.  Maybe by that time the belt will be supple enough to actually bend so it can be more easily handled. I'm tempted to set up  a dipping tray for the belt as an easy way to satisfy the leather's thirst for revitalization, but a couple of websites specifically caution against doing that.
> 
> Maybe I should look for help in an old copy of The Farmer's Almanac?  But I figure there are enough people on this list with experience on belt pulley equipment and/or harness that I can find some guidance from them.  Where's my grandfather when I need him?
> 
> FWIW, I don't plan on keeping this belt or the full box of Alligator belt lacing that I got with it.  Those are available.  Maybe Andy Glines needs another belt for his steamer?
> 
> Larry
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Roy Morgan" <k1lky at earthlink.net>
> To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> Sent: Monday, January 16, 2012 10:37:13 PM
> Subject: Re: [AT] Reconditioning Leather belting
> 
> 
> On Jan 16, 2012, at 10:57 PM, Larry Goss wrote:
> 
>> ... old flat belt at the Arden show this fall....20 feet long. ...  
>> needs some treatment and restoration/preservation so it can be used  
>> for flat belt pulley work.  What should I use?
> 
> I found a discussion at:
> <http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/antique-machinery-history/leather-belt-dressing-111503/ 
>> 
> 
> One contributor says:
> " Every old book I've read says to only use neatsfoot oil on leather  
> as belt dressing. The others will eventually ruin the belt. Other  
> types of belting are a different story."
> 
> I suggest you avoid bending the belt if it's dried or cracking, until  
> you can get your treatment into it.
> 
> Roy
> 
> Roy Morgan
> k1lky at earthlink.net
> K1LKY Since 1958 - Keep 'em Glowing!
> 
> 
> 
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