For those using 'Holographic Mylar' as a tt drive

That is the right kind of tape, though mine's clear and not blue (thank goodness). It produces stronger and more permanent belt joins than those silver splicing tabs.

If enough people order maybe they'll keep it in stock. There must be millions of TT owners with quiet, low-cogging motors who want to try this. ;-)

Mothra once posted that he could find video splicing tape if anyone had trouble. You might try contacting him.

1" wide tape is best but you must cut and tape by hand, not in a splicing block. Fortunately, that produces better results, at least IME. Just takes a little practice.

I work on a small sheet of glass, which makes a great surface for keeping the mylar aligned and flat and for cutting clean lines. My other tools include a steel straightedge, Post-It notes (for holding the mylar in position) and a #11 Xacto blade. Myopic eyesight and a light touch are a big help too!

It's best to cut on a 30-45 degree angle and then apply the tape at the same angle, ACROSS the belt. Burnish the tape down well with a thumbnail and trim the excess. Voila! A belt that should last for years.

Milos,

The advantage of taping across the belt is the same as cutting on an angle. It lets you avoid vertical joins or material boundaries. Those can cause a thump, or at least some microscopic slippage, when they encounter tight bends like the motor capstan. Making the cut and taping on an angle greatly reduces that problem.

Good advice about just making a few belts. Getting a feel for it is really all it takes!

"Smooth the icky thump"? Sounds like a new dance craze!

That increased stiffness is visible, as you said. If the patch were much longer it would probably cause excessive slippage. I once tried 3 mil mylar tape and that was much too stiff. It couldn't make the turn around the motor without slipping.

Anyone want some 1/2" x 3 mil mylar? There's 96 feet left on the roll. Free to good home. :-)