Eel-Skin Belt-Lacing

A mill-owner says: "Eel-skins make the best possible strings for lacing belts. One lace will outlast any belt, and will stand wear and bard usage where books or any other fastenings fail. Our mill being on the bank of the river, we keep a net set for eels, which, when wanted, are taken out in the morning and skinned, and the skins are stuck on a smooth board. When dry, we cut them in two strings, making the eel-skin, in three hours from the time the fish is taken from the water, travel in a belt."

Holes For Belt-Lacings

The strain on belts is always in the direction of their length, and therefore holes cut. for the reception of lacing should be oval (the long diameter in line with the belt). In butting or meeting belts, the crossings of the lacings should be on the outside.

Increasing The Conveying Force Of Belts

Adding to the width of a belt and of the faces of the pulleys increases immensely the power of conveying force. A wide belt is always better than a narrow one strained to its utmost capacity.

Oiling Belts

The best mode of oiling a belt is to take it from the pulleys, and immerse it in a warm solution of tallow and oil; after allowing it to remain a few moments, the belt should be immersed in water heated to 100° Fahr., and instantly removed. This will drive the oil and tallow all in, and at the same time properly temper the leather.

How To Prevent Rubber Belts From Slipping On Pulleys

Chalk the pulley when slipping occurs. The presumption is, however, that the belt is either too narrow or too loose.

Splicing Large Belts

Cut your belt perfectly square on the ends and to the proper length; then cut a piece of belt of the same width and thickness, about 3 feet long. Bring the ends of the belt together, and put the short piece on the back of the joint, or outside, and bolt the belt and piece together with what are known as elevator-bolts, used for fastening the buckets to elevator-bands. The tools required are a brace and bit to bore the holes, and a small pair of blacksmith's tongs to tighten up the nuts with.

Testing Leather For Belts

A. cutting of the material about 0.03 of an inch in thickness is placed in strong vinegar. If the leather has been thoroughly acted upon by the tanning, and is hence of good quality, it will remain, for months even, immersed without alteration, simply becoming a little darker in color. But, on the contrary, if not well impregnated by the tannin, the fibres will quickly swell, and, after a short period, become transformed into a gelatinous mass.

How To Prevent Gnawing Of Belts By Rats

Anoint with castor-oil.

Balancing Pulleys

Swing the pulley on arbors between lathe-centres, and note the position as determined by gravity. On the top side, drill and tap two holes, in which seat machine screws with flat heads, the shanks projecting through from the face or outer side. Then, by securing pieces of iron as weights to this point until the pulley is balanced, the amount necessary to balance the pulley is found. This amount of lead is then melted and cast in a mould formed by clay. The screws serve to hold the lead in place.