You shouldn't be going through belts in 6 months. Try washing the belt with some dishwashing liquid to remove the oils and then treat it with some Aerospace 303, which should prolong the life of the rubber. The trick is to wipe the 303 off the belt until it is totally dry. This way, it won't slip. You should also wipe down the edge of the platter with isopropol alcohol to remove any oils that could cause slippage. If the belt slips after that, you'll definitely know it and you can just wash off the 303 with dishwashing liquid and start over or give it up and buy a DD table. Some people have substituted fishing line or some type of thread for the rubber belt, but I would try the 303 first.
Suggestions please about turntable belt
I have a Music Hall 7 turntable and I have gone thru several belts in a years time. I live in a very dry area of the country. They crack and break within 6 months or so and paying 25 or 30 dollars for each belt is getting annoying. Are there cheaper alternates or materials for belts? Is there a treatment that will prolong the life of the belt and not cause it to slip on the motor or the platter? Or, is this just how it goes in this expensive hobby? Thanks in advance.