Thumper to Belt project

[RoyKims]

i just had success at turning one of my thumpers into a belt wheel.
i scraped all the rubber and glue off the original. at HomeDepot i found some neoprene insulation tape. it's 2'' x 1/8'' so i used 2 layers at 2'' & a 1'' to cover it offsetting the layers.. unfortunately this came out to a diameter of 8 1/16''.   sanding lightly with 60g paper i reduced the diameter. this still did not work as the neoprene would fold under the belt.  i then spray painted it all with clear acrylic and sanded some more. i did this twice. finally the diameter came down and i was able to mount an 8'' (25 1/8'') belt. it's a little hard to get it on but it went without much trouble.  a 25 7/32'' belt would fit a lot better.. it also comes off fairly easy.. stretching the neoprene as i applied it would probably have been better as it might thin it out some.
I've still got one more to do and i think I'll use leather because it's more stable. ck it out.

[Taogem]

Nice job !

[ScarlettoSara]

ahhh the sweet taste of success:)

[RoyKims]

went and got some 1/4'' leather and cut it down to 3''.  i was going to glue it to the drum but thought i'd try it by putting the belt on the leather and see if it would just slip on..


work it did. just fine.


slipping it on and off is just a little harder than putting a belt on a expanding drum.


a couple of shots with it installed. there's a slight bump at the joint but sandpaper should fix that. i had bevelled both sides of both ends.



what happens when it gets wet and expands i have no idea but there's always sandpaper to make it smaller. i may end up gluing them anyway..someone in my Lortone thread said he wanted to do this some how. well, here it is..
anyone that wants a couple of these let me know..

[mirkaba]

Haha......I glued the leather to the outside of a belt for a polisher to run on  the expando's............

[Rockoteer]

Roy, I think I am going to go with some sort of diamond wheels as I can afford them.  The SC belts just don't last very long.   I know that they are a lot cheaper but at some point the 'diminishing(sp) results' comes into play.

Anyway JMHO.

TOG

[RoyKims]

gary,
maybe one day i'll do the same..
right now SiC is going to have to do. there are folks here that have tried the diamonds and went back to SiC.. anyway it's a drag having next to no disposable income.. i am however having a good time.. i almost have the frantom ready. i cut out aluminum collars today and ended up hating aluminum...

[Rockoteer]

gary,
maybe one day i'll do the same..
right now SiC is going to have to do. there are folks here that have tried the diamonds and went back to SiC.. anyway it's a drag having next to no disposable income.. i am however having a good time.. i almost have the frantom ready. i cut out aluminum collars today and ended up hating aluminum...

Roy, it will be awhile for me.  I know about disposable income, well I have 'HEARD' about it.  If we had a kajillion dollars to buy what ever we wanted we couldn't possibly enjoy it, could we?
Anyhoo, post some pics of the Frantom when you get it done.

TOG