I finally got around to sorting out the V belts on my Chester Crusader!
A few years ago I read an article by "bogstandard" about using "redthane", (I think), I mananaged to find some green stuff on ebay **LINK**
I firstly made a new drive belt for my Seally pillar drill, I was quite shocked at how well it worked, so ordered 2 meters of 10mm belting for the Crusader.
From what I read, the belting needed to sit in the V groove, 12mm may have been ok. I pulled the belting around the pulleys and marked a line a bit shorter, I'd guess 3/4" shorter. Cut two bits of belting, checked they were the same length.
To join it, I just held some clean flat bar in a vice, heated it up with a torch, (just hot enough to melt the belting) and pressed together, not to hard, for a couple of minutes. The belt was then trimmed with nail clippers.
I waited a bit, I was going to be good and wait half an hour, but didn't!
Hey presto!! fast changing between the pulleys for high and low range, no slipping when starting up. I left the lathe running for a good while and all is well.
Thank you to Bogs for the idea!
I'll post a picture up shortly
Cheers Jim