HOW TO SHORTEN OR REPLACE A TREADLE BELT
NOTE: If the old belt is still on the machine examine closely the routing of the belt. OR, cut the old belt, holding both ends, and tape one end of new belt with one end of old belt and pull through belt routing.
Also, new treadle belts come 72 inches in length and are designed to be cut and custom fit to each particular machine set-up.
How to shorten a belt: To shorten a belt already on the machine, open the hook at the joint, remove one end of the belt from the hook, pull the slack and make a mark for cutting. After cutting the surplus, punch a small hole in the newly cut end and insert the hook: before tightening the hook test the belt for proper tension to be sure it has been shortened sufficiently.
How to replace a belt: First put one end over the balance wheel (1,Fig.32), making sure it goes down into belt groove of balance wheel, and comes out the front under the bobbin winder. Then continue down through the front hole in the metal lifter plate (2, Fig.32) and out through the hole (3) in the wood shield. Pull through about 12" of the belt to prevent the end slipping back through hole 3.
Next, working from the back of the machine, put the other end of the belt through the rear hole (4) in the metal lifter plate, through belt guide (5), between band wheel and brace (6) and through belt shifter (7, Figs 32 & 33). Pull the slack from both ends forward to (8) and bring belt to a tighten position and make a mark for cutting. (Note: a new belt will stretch and require shortening much sooner than an old one and should therefore be applied a little tighter than usual). After cutting the surplus, punch a small hole in the newly cut end and insert the hook, but do not flatten the hook. Now operate the treadle to test the belt tension and if not too loose, flatten the hook so it does not project beyond the belt. If it is necessary to shorten the belt to secure proper tension throw it off the band wheel by using the belt shifter (7,Figs 32&33) pull forward to (8), unlock hook, shorten belt a little, re-hook and test again.
It is most advantageous to have a belt-punch to care for and replace belts properly. Such a belt-punch as shown in Fig. 34, will cut a belt and punch the hole in one operation. The pliers on the end of the punch will serve to loosen the wire hook and tighten it again. It is also well to have on hand a small quantity of belt hooks for repairing belts.
