[TheForge] Re: Little Giant power hammer belt

Thu Mar 20 12:50:01 2003

> The existing belt has big staples fastening it together.

If this is a flat belt 2" to 4" wide, the "staples" are called "belt
hooks" by the people that make them.  Also (as dave says) called
"lacing" because they replaced old fashioned leather lacing.

For the LG, and ca. 1/4" thick belts, a #2 or #3 should be okay.  You
need a special press to put them in.  Dann suggested your local steam,
antique tractor  or gas engine club to find someone with the tool.
Also try small saw mills with old equipment or an industrial museum.

The hooks are individual pieces of wire that come attached to heavy
paper in foot-long strips.  You cut off enough hooks for the width of
your belt, insert them in the press, insert the belt and press them in.

There's another kind of "lacing" that is heavier, makes a louder thump
going over the pullies and can be put in with a hand hammer instead of
the special tool.  In this type, the "hooks" aren't separate pieces.
This kind may be better if the ends of the belt are very badly frayed
because they reach further back into the fabric of the belt.

One manufacture of belthooks is (or was -- I took this off the box):

    Conveyor accessories Inc
    7936 Madison St.
    Burr Ridge Ill
    60512  USA

    312-655-4205

They're available in galvanized and stainless.  I just used #3
stainless for two belts on my 25#.  One belt was a full 1/4" and I had
to skive the end just a tad to get the belt into the hooks.  These
came with a plastic coated metal wire to link the hooks together when
you install the belt.  You can use catgut or bronze wire but you
should avoid steel, which will chafe the hooks.

I got my hooks from a biz that specializes in gears, pullies,
hydraulics, clutches, bearing and other power transmission parts.
They were way out in the back room, covered with dust.

- Mike

-- 
Michael Spencer                  Nova Scotia, Canada 

[email protected]            
http://home.tallships.ca/mspencer/