AR Belts 2010

[Russellc]

Hi,

Where are folks in the US sourcing belts right now? I used to buy from someone on eBay with the words "vintage electronics" in their moniker. I don't see them today.

Dave

Try LP Gear. They list some 15 different belts for AR tables. There is no "one size fits all" with AR tables, even very similar AR tables many times used different belts. either that or LP gear is running quite the game, using the same belt and assigning different numbers for the various models. In their description, they also state that there are numerous small belt differences among AR tables. In any event, they fit my AR The Turn Table very well, even after the Merril/Scillia mods, which has me wondering. I noticed that Merrill/Scillia no longer supply belts. I dont know who they use/recommend, but with all the different belts LP Gear lists for what must be small differences ( I assume ) I am nervous if it is proper with the mods. I have not yet changed out the pully to the Merrill/Scillia piece, but I'm sure that would also make a difference. Perhaps someone needs to weigh in who knows how proper size should be determined. Anthony Scillia used to post here once in a while maybe he or Mr Merrill could give their thoughts. If anyone can put this one to bed, I for one would be relieved! The standard LP gear belt number for the AR "The turntable" has worked fine with the mods for several years,
just once the pully change occurs, I dont know if that would alter things or not?

IF Anthony is out there, I am still amazed at the performance differences your modifications made-total transformation! Thank-you!

Russellc

[gkimeng]

Sorry, no the ES-1 and THE have the same pulley and sub platter.
both take the same exact belt. The only AR table I know of that doesn't use the same belt is the two motor XA.

The two motor TT, TA, TX and XA tables use the same length belt as later models for the main drive, but the widths vary between the two-speed models, which require the same width as the single-motor two speed tables, and the single-speed, which can use either the narrower belt or a wider one. The biggest difference in belts is the starter belt, which may be of either square or round cross-section depending on which pulleys the table came with (although I have used both in my square-cut pulleys over the years with no problem, so long as the length is right; round belts don't have the same "give" as square and need to be about 0.3" longer than spec when used in square-cut pulleys).

I don't know why there are so many different belts listed for different AR models on aftermarket sites. During the years when AR was providing spare parts, either directly or through AB Techservices, there was only one main drive belt for all the US models from the 60's through the 80's, and AB continues to list only one today. Perhaps the inconsistent quality of belts currently being offered as AR replacements (too long, too short, too wide, too thick, too stiff, not "stretchy" enough, etc.) make it necessary to spec different sizes for different models when it didn't used to be necessary to do so.

That weird "AR-11" model we keep hearing about periodically that was supposedly sourced from an overseas manufacturer is a completely different animal. No idea what it uses.

[ddarch]

All AR tables, except the 2 belt models, use the same size belt...AND, the co-polymer pulley and new Epoxy Resin platter also use THE SAME.

I got my order of 10 Panasonic belts in TODAY...I will be reporting soon!

Dave

[gkimeng]

I fired up my old copy of the Russell PRB cross-reference, and it confirms that ALL AR models from the original that Russell calls "Manual" to the 80's models that Russell calls "Late Model," use FRY23.6. The single-speed "Manual" can also use FRX23.6, which is .05" wider.

Russell only specs SCY6.7, the square belt, for the two-motor starter belt. At least one person has posted here that he has a table with round-cut starter belt grooves, but all the two-motor pulleys I have seen have been cut for square belts.

[Russellc]

Sorry, no the ES-1 and THE have the same pulley and sub platter.
both take the same exact belt. The only AR table I know of that doesn't use the same belt is the two motor XA.

The two motor TT, TA, TX and XA tables use the same length belt as later models for the main drive, but the widths vary between the two-speed models, which require the same width as the single-motor two speed tables, and the single-speed, which can use either the narrower belt or a wider one. The biggest difference in belts is the starter belt, which may be of either square or round cross-section depending on which pulleys the table came with (although I have used both in my square-cut pulleys over the years with no problem, so long as the length is right; round belts don't have the same "give" as square and need to be about 0.3" longer than spec when used in square-cut pulleys).

I don't know why there are so many different belts listed for different AR models on aftermarket sites. During the years when AR was providing spare parts, either directly or through AB Techservices, there was only one main drive belt for all the US models from the 60's through the 80's, and AB continues to list only one today. Perhaps the inconsistent quality of belts currently being offered as AR replacements (too long, too short, too wide, too thick, too stiff, not "stretchy" enough, etc.) make it necessary to spec different sizes for different models when it didn't used to be necessary to do so.

That weird "AR-11" model we keep hearing about periodically that was supposedly sourced from an overseas manufacturer is a completely different animal. No idea what it uses.

Not according to LP gear, Like already said, some 10-15 different sizes, 2 different models for the ES-1 and the The Turntable. They claim they are the exact same as the original manufacturer's belt requirements. This is either an outright lie, and they are commiting a host of fraudulent
advertising, or they are right. While I certainly cant say I've investigated, I havent seen anyone post about an LP gear sized belt not working, and I've read plently where the AB tech belt didnt work. I'll e-mail LP gear and ask the origin of their claims.

Russellc

I would like to know what determines how long, how stretchy, and how wide a belt needs to be to fit properly?

While AB Tech only offers one, as do many others, they obviously ( from the feedback here alone) do not FIT all.

[Russellc]

All AR tables, except the 2 belt models, use the same size belt...AND, the co-polymer pulley and new Epoxy Resin platter also use THE SAME.

I got my order of 10 Panasonic belts in TODAY...I will be reporting soon!

Dave

What's the deal with the epoxy resin platter? Is this an inner platter?

Thanks,

russellc

[gkimeng]

Not according to LP gear, Like already said, some 10-15 different sizes, 2 different models for the ES-1 and the The Turntable. They claim they are the exact same as the original manufacturer's belt requirements. This is either an outright lie, and they are commiting a host of fraudulent
advertising, or they are right. While I certainly cant say I've investigated, I havent seen anyone post about an LP gear sized belt not working, and I've read plently where the AB tech belt didnt work. I'll e-mail LP gear and ask the origin of their claims.

A belt thqt meets the original Russell PRB spec for FRY23.6 is 23.3 inches circumference, 0.135 inches wide and 0.030 inches thick, and has a fairly high amount of "stretch" determined by the durometer of the material used, but Russell seems to have reserved that information for themselves.

Almost every belt I have tried that came from a manufacturer other than Russell has been heavier and has had less "stretch" than the real thing, even if its dimensions have met the PRB numbers. If the belt P/Ns spec'd by LPGear really are different and not just their way of keeping track of which turntables belts are being ordered for, it may be that they are sourcing them from someone other than Russell and that someone has tested different sizes on different turntables to arrive at working selections. But if you do a comprehensive search, you will see that LPGear is pretty much the ONLY dealer out there that is spec'ing all these supposedly different belts for different AR models.

[Russellc]

Well, I emailed LPgear, asking about this conversation and where they got all this info from and so forth, hopefully they will respond, but havent yet.
Will keep you posted.

russellc

[Russellc]

I am searching for russell indutries. I can find it, but clicking on anything to do with turntable belts leads back to a page that looks like its been moved or deleted? Are they still selling TT belts? How about those Panasonic belts D?

Russellc

[gkimeng]

I've never ordered direct from Russell, and don't know if they still sell direct to consumers or just sell wholesale. This page has a phone number you can try calling:

http://russellind.com/prbline/index.html

[Russellc]

I've never ordered direct from Russell, and don't know if they still sell direct to consumers or just sell wholesale. This page has a phone number you can try calling:

http://russellind.com/prbline/index.html

Thanks, I'll try the number and post what I find out from them for others.
Still havent heard from LP gear.....

Russellc

[ddarch]

Hi all,

I received ten Panasonic belts SJY90080-3. I love them! Though ever so slightly wider, they are much better length-wise than any other belt I have used the past 4-5 years. ALL others in the ballpark are just a tad tight.

I will be using the SJY90080-3 with all refurbed AR turntables I am selling.

Three cheers for AR-Legend (Bob) for diligently searching out the best belts out there presently.

Dave

PS Russell...yes, the epoxy resin drive platter is "inner".

[fscl]

Hi all,

I received ten Panasonic belts SJY90080-3. I love them! Though ever so slightly wider, they are much better length-wise than any other belt I have used the past 4-5 years. ALL others in the ballpark are just a tad tight.

I will be using the SJY90080-3 with all refurbed AR turntables I am selling.

Three cheers for AR-Legend (Bob) for diligently searching out the best belts out there presently.

Dave

PS Russell...yes, the epoxy resin drive platter is "inner".

Are all AR tt motor / platter geometries the same? Will this belt work on an XB?

Edit:

David writes on 23 Jan and overlooked by me:

All AR tables, except the 2 belt models, use the same size belt...AND, the co-polymer pulley and new Epoxy Resin platter also use THE SAME.

TIA.

Fred and always felt like a "D" lister as an XB owner...... but no more with the sounds coming out of my revived baby.....

[fscl]

Just recieved 7 of the 10 panasonic belts I ordered. They look good, but the 4 I have tried on 3 different tables all run about 12 bars slow over 15 seconds. Quiet, thin, and no "jiggle" on startup, but not sure why they are slow. I cleaned 2 of them and re-talced........no change. Right now I'm running two of them on 45 rpm for a full day, and I'll recheck speed at 33.33 tomorrow and report.

How did your (old?) belts extracted for the Panasonic belts do / test out speedwise?

Are the new belts longer than the old belts? If so, by how much?

Fred and now wondering about "belt break-in"