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One of many questions that I have about phonograph belts. Why do phonographs use really thin belt leather? I see some Columbia use thicker belts with stitching on them but most Edison phonographs use really thin belts. I'm trying to make my own belts for a Dictaphone shaver and since I have a laser engraver I can cut leather with it. The original belt was thin but the belt I made is from leather thats thicker and is actually working fine. So what's the reason for thin leather when thicker leather has less stretch and is also stronger and more durable? Thanks.

Thin belts should bend/flex easier and offer less drag.

The original belt on my Dictaphone shaver was broad, thin, and shiny leather . It seemed to be held in place by the bowed shape of the upper pulley.

Ok so the thin leather is more flexible and would probably cause less drag. On the Dictaphone shaver it doesn't really matter because the motor is electric. I cleaned and oiled mine and with the new belts it runs like a champ. I'll try and find some thin leather for future use. Thanks

I'm a phonograph profane, but I suspect you'll notice the quality of the leather belt in the sound of cylinders. The phonographs I watch in yt videos tend to have a wobbly sound, many of them, and I'm sure the belt is responsible for that.
I've always been intrigued by the fact that the mandrel is driven by a pulley and belt, why not by another great train? I suspect that the answer is in the fast speed of the mandrel and absence of an inertial regulator (turntable) so there is the option of a soft belt to move the mandrel fast and softly.... Intuitively, there must be the answer. A soft and pliable belt.
Sorry for the digression...

I'm no expert but I always thought the governor helps regulate the speed of the mandrel. I always tend to over think things but I believe they intentionally made the belt to slip a little in order to protect the wax cylinders. On my Dictaphone shaver I could hear the belt slipping at the end of the cut. I saw a video where Wyatt Markus is making a belt for a Edison and he pulls the belt in order to stretch it so it will have better tension. The belt I made is thicker and has very little stretch to it but is still very pliable. I'll make one for my Columbia and see how it works out.

BigC wrote: Wed Dec 17, 2025 2:42 pm ...I believe they intentionally made the belt to slip a little in order to protect the wax cylinders.

I'm fairly certain that's not the case. A slipping belt makes for a horrible sounding playback.

I'm no expert but I always thought the governor helps regulate the speed of the mandrel.

If you're referring to Inigo's posting, I don't believe he suggested otherwise. I believe his message was that a poor quality belt causes fluctuatuions/warble in an otherwise well functioning machine.

The Dictaphone shaver doesn't play back. When it was reaching the last section and sometimes in the center I could see the belt slipping and could hear some bouncing on the tension weight. The belt was original so it was very oily and worn out. I believe that the drive belt was OK and the belt that spins the actual threaded bar that feeds the cutter was slipping they would be out of sink. Like I said I'm not an expert but with the new belts it's not slipping anymore and I can't hear anything but the cutter moving. I wonder if there's a better material than leather that would not stretch over time that could be used on cylinder phonographs? That's my real question is there a better material or are we stuck with leather? On the Edison Home I bought from one member I did replace the belt with the correct leather from The Phonograph Shop and cleaned all the surfaces so no oil or grease was on the pulleys and its working perfectly. Thanks for all the help.