[SEL] Belt Dressing

[Andy Glines]

Thanks a bunch Arnie.  You must be a much better Googler than I am.  These are the kind of links I am looking for.  I have tried searching google several times with little success.  I am looking for at least 10lbs probably more.  There are smaller quantities available at sporting goods and art stores but it is expensive.  You are correct about the many uses of rosin, it is all around us but is a little difficult to find on its own. Dave, I have access to many pine trees but I don't know how to convert the sap to the solid rosin needed for this project.  Rob, the large flat belts that I use with the steam engine are rarely leather.  Usually they are canvas, rubberized canvas, or nylon weave.  Does you book tell what to use in place of the rosin based dressings?  I have found that attempting to saw, thresh, or run a Baker fan with a dry belt is a sure path to a headache.  Even when perfectly aligned a flat belt will jump off of the pulley if allowed to slip.  I have used sorgum molasses and other sticky stuff but nothing has worked as well as the cyl oil and rosin.  
> From: "Arnie Fero" <fero_ah at city-net.com>
> Subject: Re: [SEL] Belt dressing
> Google is your friend...
> http://www.amberpinerosin.com/
> http://www.rosinproducts.com/
> http://www.metalartistforum.com/maf/index.php?/topic/6781-bulk-pine-rosin-available-for-pitch-recipes/

> See ya,  Arnie
> 
> PS - It's really interesting to see all the different uses there are
> for rosin!

> From: Rob Skinner <rob at rustyiron.com>
> Subject: Re: [SEL] Belt dressing
> Last week I was studying the traditional method of lacing belts using a ?sewing? technique. Luckily, I?m lazy and the book is still sitting handily beside me on my desk. The book addresses various aspects of leather belting and was written by two MIT professors of mechanical technology. 
> 
> They state that rosin based belt dressings are poor substitutes for proper belt care and will greatly decrease the life of the belt. Petroleum based oils will also degrade the leather. They recommend neatsfoot oil, a mixture of cod oil and tallow, or other lubricants used in currying leather. 
> 
> Sticky belt dressings are popular in industrial environments where a shutdown would be more expensive than damaging the belt. Even so, at the earliest possible opportunity, the belt should be cleaned and lubricated with a proper dressing.