Pretty much any time you’re having problems with a record player that isn’t working well, it can be because of a loose or stretched belt. When you release the handle of a turntable, the belt is not gripping it and the motor can’t rotate at a high enough rate. This affects the quality of sound playback and more time is needed to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
If you need rubber rubber belt solutions, visit this web page. Today, we’ll be looking at the question of how you can go about tightening a record player belt. A loose or worn-out belt can cause a record player to operate slowly. This can negatively affect the sound quality because of reduced rotation.
Before you start, don’t forget that turntable belts are an economical part that can be replaced for about $15. If your current solutions are struggling, consider getting a new set of belts from either your local record store or the internet.
1. Hot Water
Soak the rubber belt into a bucket of hot water. At this stage, tap water should be good enough. Hot water will ultimately cause the rubber to reduce in size if it is weak enough.
If the hot water doesn’t shrink the rubber, boiling it may be another option. Allow the rubber to simmer for a few minutes in hot water (100-120 degrees) and it will cause it to shrink. You should turn off the fire after the water has reached a boil. When the belt is soaked in hot water, you should leave it for 5-8 minutes.
Boiling may sometimes restore a rubber object to its original size and shape by simply eliminating any dirt or debris that has accumulated over time. It is most certainly the case if the water is filthy once you take off your belt.
Do watch for signs of wear, such as areas melting away or debris floating to the top. Generally, rubber has a higher boiling point than water and it won’t start to cook your. Take care when removing the belt from boiling water. Let it cool on a dry platform.
Form the rubber into the desired shape, which would be an oval or your main platter and pulley. You can warm the rubber up and make it easier to manipulate if necessary. Letting it refreeze after you’ve bent it can help, as well as wearing gloves or tongs in order to get a grip on the material.
2. Blow Dryer
If boiling water is not an option for you, placing the rubber object on a heat-resistant surface is also a good idea. It’s important to remember that you shouldn’t come into direct contact with the treated belt when heating it up. Follow our advice to stay safe when approaching a rubber belt. Make sure your face is at a good distance away from thebelt and your breathing will remain unaffected.
Set the blow dryer to its highest setting. It’ll help you really shrink the rubber properly and evenly. Don’t be too easy on it though, as you want to keep consistency too.
Add the rubber to a pot of boiling water. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the rubber begins to give off a faint odor. When using heat on a rubber product, check for unusual signs of marks or discoloration. This may indicate damage and lead you to choose a new rubber as opposed to adding to the issue.
Avoid prolonged contact with a belt that is hard or has undergone treatment to make it stronger. You should probably refrain from handling the granular matter without some kind of protection like gloves. Or, you can wait until it cools down before touching it.
Conclusion
Old belts might be a little overused for other solutions, but one thing’s for sure: a quality new belt will solve your record player problem. Some product users have expressed skepticism about shrinking belts because it will stretch back out. When belts get out of spec, they must be replaced.
If you’re facing a challenge with speed, check out our article for all the info about belt drive turntables and their speed problems.
Remember to save money for whatever reason and to file for a tax return in April! Have a good day!
FAQ for How to Tighten Record Player Belt
What is the purpose of a record player belt?
A record player belt is a device that is used to secure the turntable of a record player while playing. It can be used with either a turntable or an amplifier.
Most record players have belts that are designed to hold the turntable in place and prevent it from slipping out of the groove. The belts are generally made of rubber, but some models have metal parts for added strength.
Most common issues with a loose turntable belt?
The most common issue with a loose turntable belt is that it creates noise and causes a skipping noise when the turntable runs.
Why does a record player belt need to be tightened?
When you’re playing a record, the needle is pressed onto the vinyl and plays music. When the needle is lifted off, it’s supposed to stop spinning. If this doesn’t happen, the record player belt will continue to spin and play music until it finally stops.
This means that if your record player belt isn’t properly tightened, your records won’t be able to play because of a skipping sound or a sound that just repeats over and over again.
How long does a turntable belt last?
You never have to worry about replacing a belt when you have a direct drive turntable. Direct drive means the motor is located underneath the record platter and it rotates.
Bevel gears have a reduction gear ratio of 2:1 and make good use of a pulley system that turns the outer surface of the rubber belt around a spindle. The motor is usually left slightly offset from the centerline.
Is a direct drive turntable right for you? They can be used in a professional capacity, but they might not be your best option. Direct drives allow you to mix music and change speed using two turntables at once.
Most people just listen to their records at home and that’s really where it ends. There’s no fancy finger work & mixing, just old school scratching, or whatever that is. A belt-driven turntable is a great option for DJs that want to get the most out of their vinyl.
How do know if turntable belt is bad?
Rubber is a beloved material because it’s so beneficial! It’s super resilient, stretchy, and offers plenty of flexibility. It can offer good protection for industrial components, too – think cars and pipes. However, over time rubber can lose elasticity and become brittle or crack. That could spell disaster for your turntable belt!
You might notice your turntable’s belt slipping a bit or the sound sounding a little unstable – this can be an indicator of how bad the belt is. If it begins to slip or gets pitchy then it’s probably time to get it replaced.
One sign that the belt might not be working properly is if the platter seems too fast. The tension on the belt system has been set to give you a specific type of motion which in this case could dampen the sound that comes from your turntable’s platter. A belt that is worn will develop a reduced amount of force and the record player will have a greater speed.
How often should you change a turntable belt?
The frequency with which you change out your turntable belt has a few different factors. If you have a turntable that is used often, you are more likely to need to change the belt. That’s the average lifespan of a turntable’s belt. It can last anywhere from 3-5 years or even longer for sure!
If you don’t use your turntable every day, then a belt will be the most cost-effective option for your needle. If you use your turntable in the office a lot, it’s a good idea to check on the belt every six months or so. If you don’t use it often, then do one check-up a year or so.
Hold your belt at an angle to make sure there are no spots of light or reflections reflecting off of it. If it does, then you need to start wearing a different belt. Check for cracks in the tire’s rubber. These might be signs that the belt needs to be replaced. Replacing a belt early on will make sure that your turntables have the best sound. If the belt doesn’t look good, just put it back.
What size turntable belt do i need?
Turntable belts come in many different sizes. One size doesn’t fit all, so it can be hard to find the right one. But the truth is, you don’t actually need to take your turntable to a repair shop; you can just measure it yourself and get the right size used on your record player. To avoid complications & a lot of confusion, there is a fairly simple measuring method you can use. It’s easy to purchase a new belt from a local store that sells them or you can easily order the correct size online.
You will first remove your old belt from underneath the platter. The platter is easy to remove and the old belt can be taken off easily. When the belts are worn out, their said length could go up by ten percent or more. So, a measurement is not recommended for this case. A belt must fit snugly around the pulley parts to allow the turntable to spin correctly.
Next, you will need a length of string good enough to go around the entire pulley. You can follow along the path that the belt started out on and attach it at ONE point on the pulleys. This is going to be difficult, so you’ll have to secure it well with some tape or a piece of cloth.
Then wrap the string around the pulley path and meet the other end of the string where you started. Use a marker to mark the end of the string. Once you have marked it out, subtract it from your total length and measure it.
You need a shorter belt that is 3-5% shorter than the string measurement. It will ensure the proper tension when you play your vinyls and help avoid damaging your records or scratching them. The belt needs to be small, square or round and thick.
How tight should a turntable belt be?
The correct tension of your belt is important to ensure that your vinyl will sound well when you play it. A loose belt will cause slippage and a tight belt can also cause issues. Just getting the right tension takes time though.
When It comes to wearing a belt, it can be tricky to make sure it is the right size. To get the length correct, you can deduct no more than 5-10mm from the circumference for an accurate measurement. As you might imagine, if your belt size is correct, then stretching it won’t be too much of a problem. In all likelihood, it will only take up to 5-10% in order for the belt to fit around the pulley system.
If you followed the step above about determining what size turntable belt you need, then it should go around the pulleys smoothly with just a bit of stretching.
Is it possible to tighten a record player belt with a screwdriver?
Yes, it is possible to tighten a record player belt with a screwdriver. The trick is to use the screwdriver as a lever, and not just try to tighten it by using your hands.
How to clean a turntable belt?
Most misaligned records will only produce a slight pitchy sound instead of skipping which means you just need to adjust the turntable speed. If startup is slow or sluggish and the belt is falling off, it might not be time to replace it still.
When your table’s rubber turntable belt begins to look a little worn, be sure to go ahead and turn off the player. And if you want, you can unplug it from electricity while doing so! After that, remove the rubber mat and lift the platter off of the spindle. Then, remove the belt.
To get a trapped belt out of the pulley, you’ll need some paper towels, isopropyl alcohol, soapy water and Q tips. Black specks or debris on the surface that the belt rides on will give you a clue where to start. Alcohol on a towel is the best way to clean off any hard to reach grease and then a Q-tip can be used to get into any nooks and crannies of your vehicle.
Next, use a paper towel to soak up the soap and water. Make sure it is completely soaked and wrung out so there is no leftover soap residue on the belt. Although some may use the isopropyl alcohol to clean their belt, this might cause the felt to dry out more easily. It is best to use soap or water instead. If you want to change your mixer with a new one, make sure everything is completely dry before putting it back together.