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I need to replace the leather friction pad on the speed regulator arm for the Credenza motor. I have never had to do one of these before but this one is worn down to the metal. Any ideas of what to use for the leather replacement?

I recall a previous thread that mentioned sewing machine belting as a replacement. You may also look at leather boot laces.

Here is the thread: http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... lit=sewing

An older collector years ago (1980's) showed me how to make a good replacement for a governor pad; you use the belting material and roll it until it's the correct size to mount on the arm. Once installed and oiled up, the rolled material provides the correct amount of drag as opposed to a solid piece of leather. Hope this helps.

Thanks all....I robbed one yesterday from a spare part that I had just to finish up the motor. I will look into the leather belt and the boot laces.

scullylathe wrote:An older collector years ago (1980's) showed me how to make a good replacement for a governor pad; you use the belting material and roll it until it's the correct size to mount on the arm. Once installed and oiled up, the rolled material provides the correct amount of drag as opposed to a solid piece of leather. Hope this helps.

I actually did this for a Columbia Q restoration I did. It worked, but it was a pain getting the right length of leather rolled up (it ain't much), and a pain to keep it rolled up while getting it inserted and crimped into the holder. It works fine.

Given the hassles, I would recommend finding better materials first, then falling back to this if all else fails or you just got to hear that machine play right now!

Wyatt's Musical Americana (http://www.wyattsmusical.com) has these for 50 cents. Part # 2842PF, "Friction Leather"

You can also use what (I think) is called 'blocking felt', which I've never ordered because the leather works fine on my machines, but it's very thick and I think you can get it in strips like ⅛" square or round, ¼", ½", etc. in addition to sheets. Not sure of a source though.

I used the rough side of leather. The restoration experts at my uni found a glue that wouldn't react to the pre-existing worn down pad (Unfortunately I can't remember it) and simply glued it on. The best part is that it can be done again and again without much fuss

That actually is very good idea. I wonder what kind of a adhesive would bind to oil soaked leather?