Hi, everyone.
So now the summer is here, I have managed to refresh an Edison shaver and a Dictaphone player/recorders that I acquired, during the last few months. Everything works and I look forward to trying some recording soon! I've taken the soft approach and have kept both machines in as original nick as possible. At work I have access to a sand-blaster and other machinery, so rust has gone and bare metal oiled and nothing painted, and I think the finished articles look great and work well.
My only drawback at the moment is finding a drive belt for the Dictaphone. I've run it on an insulating tape belt and it works! It's very tricky measuring the right length, but I estimate that it needs a belt that's about 385 mm long x 10mm wide.
I am having a devil of a job getting one, so if anyone has any thoughts, please let me know! I've tried Simply Bearings, Dunlop Bearings, eBay and all those places !
Many thanks.
No idea why the pictures are at 90 degs
Columbia Dictaphone Belt
- JeffHowe
- Victor Jr
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- Victor I
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Re: Columbia Dictaphone Belt
Book binding thin leather is the thing to use for and authentic replacement but I have used thin o rings very successfully in an Ediphone the lower pulley shape on the Dictaphone may not allow for that and there may be a belt tensioner so a flat leather belt skived and glued is the best thing.
Gaffer tape would be better then insulting tape by the way for a quick rig up
beltingonline.com
make a variety of belts but I have never tried them as yet for those but I have purchased other items from them.
Rubber/Nylon Flat Endless Belts 1mm Thick 370 mm and 400 mm are available.
not sure the tension adjustment on the Dictaphone.
Gaffer tape would be better then insulting tape by the way for a quick rig up
beltingonline.com
make a variety of belts but I have never tried them as yet for those but I have purchased other items from them.
Rubber/Nylon Flat Endless Belts 1mm Thick 370 mm and 400 mm are available.
not sure the tension adjustment on the Dictaphone.
- JeffHowe
- Victor Jr
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2021 5:30 pm
- Personal Text: Jeff
Re: Columbia Dictaphone Belt
Thanks very much - o rings are a good idea - will investigate!
- Inigo
- Victor VI
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Re: Columbia Dictaphone Belt
I like the idea of the insulting tape... Kind of modern version of the Whidlack 'Sneeze' and 'Snore' old records!
Inigo