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Belt Measuring Help


.: Rubber Drive Belt Measuring Help :.

OK so, if your belt was not found in our our "find my player" tool, of over 80,000 models among about 400 brand names, then continue below. With 600+ drive belt sizes in stock, we do very likely have the belt you need........

.: How we measure and think about *NEW* belts :.

Please use English measurement system if reasonably possible for you.  This online length conversion tool is very handy.  If it's been a while you might even benefit from a ruler refresher.
All new belts on our site are spoken of in terms of the total length/circumference, not diameter across a 'circle' , like this:


      
 

.: How to get us an accurate drive belt length measurement :.


               ****Best Practice Method****

  1. Thread non-stretchable string around all the pulleys of the entire belt path, including the motor drive pulley.  You may need to use a little tape to hold the string in place.  Taking extra time to do this gives us a solid length, from which we can develop an accurate belt cross reference for you so you can get the right belt the 1st time.  We highly prefer this method over getting a length measurement of your old belt as we don't really know if your old belt stretched a lot or a little over the decades.  Other vendors are still using the last resort method below.
  2. Then mark the string with a felt marker where the two ends meet.
  3. Then measure the total length of the string between the marks.

              ****Last Resort Method****

   If string is absolutely not threadable around belt path, which is rare, and you have no choice but to provide the length of the old stretched out belt please provide the total length of the belt pulled just enough to be straight and not beyond.  We seek the total relaxed current length *as if* the belt were cut from a loop into one long piece. If your belt is still in one piece, pinch it at each end and then double the measurement. This method is deemed last resort because belts stretch at various rates over the decades depending on environment and so we don't want to chase a moving target.

               ****Applicable to both Methods****

  • IMPORTANT: When you email us the measurements, please indicate if the length provided is "relaxed belt length" or "string length" as we need to know if the number is ballpark (rubber) or accurate (exact belt path) and so we don't wonder if you have already subtracted the industry standard of 3-5% for a new belt.
  • Please use English measurement system if reasonably possible for you.  Metric is ok also but please use the same system for all measurements provided.
  • ALERT: Reminder, all belt sizes are spoken of in terms of the total length/circumference, never the diameter across the "loop" or circle the belt creates when at rest on a desk.
  • We also need to know if your belt was round, flat or square in it's cross section, as well as the thickness and if it's flat, the width as well.  See image at top of this page for clarification.  If your old belt is missing or melted then a "C" or half moon shaped pulley track means you had a round belt, a V shaped pulley track means the belt was square, and a flat flywheel or wine barrel shaped motor pulley means the belt was flat.
  • Finally, we will need to know the thickness of the old square or round belt or the width and approximate thickness of the old flat belt.
  • this chart will help approximate these measurements if you don't have calipers or a micrometer.
        • US dime        = 0.052 inches / 1.3208mm
        • US penney     = 0.062 inches / 1.5748mm
        • US quarter     = 0.066 inches / 1.6764mm
        • US nickel       = 0.080 inches / 2.032mm
        • US half dollar = 0.084 inches / 2.1336mm


With the above info, we can assist you in choosing a belt about 3-5% shorter than the length of your actual belt path, which is the industry standard to provide correct tension, torque and playback without excess strain on your motor pulley.  EXAMPLE: You measure 25" on your turntable with a string.....we will recommend a 23.6" belt, NOT a 25" belt as there must be some tension for your belt to work.  Also, if you multiply your string length by 0.95 and 0.97 then you can find a replacement yourself by size description.  Or if you prefer, just >>> email us <<< all the above info you have gathered along with the make and model.

 
All belts are sold with a free exchange policy.  We will not charge you any extra fees to exchange belt sizes for you.  Belts must be returned in resaleable condition and we ask that you inform us of the final belt that worked for your specific model so we can update our site for other owners of your model.


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