Leather Sewing Machine Drive Belt Sizing (thickness)

[DG1]

Hello,

I'm building a table for my Durkopp cobbler/patcher machine. These originally came mounted on a cast iron base with a treadle, similar to a Singer 29. I'm going to do a bit a tinkering with different configurations, possibly a speed reducer and a basic servo motor. I don't know what length belts I'll need and may be changing them around so I'm thinking of using leather drive belt where I can customize the size as needed.  If they work good I'll keep them, or eventually switch them out to a standard 3L v belt.

I'm really confused as to what thickness belt to use, I'm not sure if the sizes are equivalent to a standard belt. I put a normal industrial 3l v belt on the handwheel of the machine and it fits perfect. I can get the leather belt in 1/4, 3/16, 5/16 and 3/8.  What size is typically used on an industrial machine with modern servo motor/pulleys?

Thanks!

 

 

[Wizcrafts]

A type 3L v-belt is 3/8 inches across the outside edge. If you must use a leather belt, use either a 5/16 or 3/8 inch diameter belt. But, expect slippage unless the belt is very tight at all times. The leather belts expand with use and the motor mount will need to be tightened now and then.

If at all possible, buy a suitable v-belt.

[DG1]

Thanks!

 

[ElfLeather]

What about link belts? Good? Avoid? 

[1hp]

$15 a foot at McMaster-Carr.

[kgg]

9 hours ago, ElfLeather said:

What about link belts? Good? Avoid? 

I don't think link belts will give the proper surface contact with the stock pulleys of the motor, speed reducer or the sewing machine.

kgg