The old hands round here can probably recite the contents of this in their sleep, however while searching for a specific Ampex circuit diagram, I bumped into this:
It allows you to take the original belt part number from a service manual parts list and look up the belt type / size.
I've tested it on a couple of sizes I know and it matches up within 1/10 inch.
Any cautions from the experts before us less adept folk head down the wrong path?
PRB tool is well-known, but I believe has been found to contain numerous errors by more expert belt resellers. Use it for what it is but wouldn't count on 100% accuracy.
That raises the question of compiling an accurate table for the ones we have better data on.
For instance I checked the X-7R part number and the file quoted 16.9in, which is a shade over what Sam recommends (16.7in) and what Ceitron currently list (16.8in)
Could we have a sticky to log that.
I'd be happy to maintain it, based on input from manufacturer's specs or known sources.
We can always take a measurement of ID with a thread and remove 5%, but saving folk from their mistakes is something we do here, isn't it?
Must not have looked too hard around here as It was in a thread I started which was made into a sticky by one of the mods years ago.
And as noted there ARE errors & omisions in it. But it is a good starting point.
390FF, thank you for the link. I tend not to visit cassette land and our search engine is not the finest.
80stech, that database looks interesting, do we know the guys who put it together and its accuracy?
Still at $25 a time to check a belt size if you've only got a couple of decks to play with is a little extreme.
Hence the idea of an expert moderated table here in a sticky. Probably 90% of the belt questions in the reel to reel forum boil down to a couple of dozen belt sizes on not many more deck families (TEAC X-7->X1000, being an example of a family in my parlance)
As I recall in the PRB pdf they give instructions for sizing and measuring if your deck isn't listed and the belt is worn or is MIA (like turned to goo).
Still at $25 a time to check a belt size if you've only got a couple of decks to play with is a little extreme.
$25 is a one time fee for the database and udates forever as far as I know, eventhough, I think that is what turns most people off. Ironically, probably a lot of the same people that think nothing of paying $25 to ship one belt.
I have used the PRB cross many times and there are a lot of items missing but the only one with the comprehensive table is Fred Marrs and he is not talking.
I think the beauty about the "Stretchy Parts" concept is that it is not proprietary or brand specific and update-able (even with notes) by all users that want to share information. *reelspin*
PRB tool is well-known, but I believe has been found to contain numerous errors by more expert belt resellers. Use it for what it is but wouldn't count on 100% accuracy.
Who would be the best supplier for an accurate capstan belt for a Tandberg 10XD; is there anyone left with NOS belts (or would NOS rubber be degraded after all these years)?
You don’t want NOS belts from a mfr that has been out of business for damn near 20 years.
There used to be a German project for RTRs, mainly based on manufacturer info but pickings were slim and at some point the huy who ran the site got frustrated and closed everything down like a peeved toddler. Annoyed me too since I'd supplied all the Philips info I could find.
The big issue is that most manufacturers didn't bother to release any detailed info except to their OEM belt suppliers. Everyone else only got a proprietary part number. Even Philips only listed the info in the service manuals of a few select models.
There used to be a German project for RTRs, mainly based on manufacturer info but pickings were slim and at some point the huy who ran the site got frustrated and closed everything down like a peeved toddler. Annoyed me too since I'd supplied all the Philips info I could find.
The big issue is that most manufacturers didn't bother to release any detailed info except to their OEM belt suppliers. Everyone else only got a proprietary part number. Even Philips only listed the info in the service manuals of a few select models.
I think this is exactly why "Stretchy Parts" got started. I can imagine it is a fair bit of work to get something like this set up and to maintain, probably why the German guy got frustrated and why "Stretchy Parts" asks for the $25 buy in.