Do you have a really cool vintage machine that you want to use
but you have to change out the belt and you're not really sure how to do it?
I've got ya!
We'll walk through the whole process - from measuring the belt,
cutting the belt,
and clamping it.
You'll be treadling in no time.
(music)
Hello, lovely people. Tricia here with Sewing Parts Online.
So let's install this belt.
But before I do, please make sure that you Like & Subscribe.
That way you will get notified of any future videos.
First things first- I've got my handy dandy pliers
and my leather treadle belt.
The belt that I'm using can be located on our website.
It comes between 68 to 72 inches.
That way, you can just cut it to size
and it will fit many types of treadle machines.
Also, the metal clip is included.
Let's take a quick peek at these pliers.
It has a clasp that holds it closed when needed.
This is a multi-purpose tool.
The first part that I want to show you is the little punch
that actually makes the hole.
Then you've got this nice metal plate.
That prevents the belt from going too far in
and being punched in the wrong spot.
Here's a better view of that plate.
Then you've got your blade.
It also has these nice indentations that hold the clip in place
so it doesn't move around when you are trying to clamp it down.
If you don't use these pliers, make sure that you have a heavy duty pair of scissors.
The very first thing that we need to do is put the belt on the machine
and get a measurement.
You need to make sure that the belt goes behind the bobbin winder tire.
I found it easiest to work from the front and bring it back.
Then feed the belt through the back hole.
Put the belt through the belt guard
and then work it around the wheel.
Don't worry if you're dropping the belt or
pull it out accidentally.
It takes a little bit of time to get it around the wheel.
If you have an extra set of hands, that's really helpful.
I found that it was easiest to hold with one hand at the top
and then use my other hand to work it up the front of the machine.
As you can see, when you're by yourself, it can take a little bit of work to do it
but it's definitely doable.
Now we just need to measure the belt
This is going to be installed end to end. You don't want it to overlap.
Pull it taut, but not too tight.
Unfortunately, there's not any gauge for me to tell you exactly how tight but
I would error on the side of it being a little bit loose
versus too tight.
You can always go back and shorten the belt if needed
but obviously, you can't add any belt on.
Once you find your measurement, just mark it with a pen.
Then carefully remove it from the machine.
Now, with my handy dandy pliers, I am going to feed the belt through this hole
and use the blade to cut it off.
The punch doesn't go all the way through so you do need to
punch it on one side and then turn it over and punch it on the other.
Make sure that it is centered.
See how nice that plate is?
It just keeps it right in position.
You don't have to use these pliers.
You can also use a nail and a hammer to make the hole
and use regular pliers to clamp the clip.
I just found these really convenient.
Now I grab an awl and remove that little cutout.
There we go.
Here I'm showing you on my little scrap piece, but on your actual belt,
before you move to the machine,
test to make sure that the clip can go through the leather belt easily.
I'll show you why in just a second.
Go through the same process of installing your belt.
Now, let's go ahead and connect the two ends.
This is why I recommended testing the clip before we came to the machine
to make sure that it slides in easily.
I apologize for my hand being in the way.
If you have any questions, please comment below. I will be happy to try and answer them for you.
Move it around, make sure that it feels good.
Push it in a little bit.
You don't want it too tight, but you do want it taut.
Line up the clip in the little groove and clamp it down tight.
Perfect.
Time to treadle.
If this video has helped you, I would really appreciate it if you hit the Like button.
We also have another video on different kinds of belts.
Make sure to check it out.
Until next time, Happy Sewing, everybody!