how do you fix a rip in dryer belt?

[Homer]

I have a 60"  x 60' belt so buying a new one is out for the moment. Anybody have any ideas how you fix these things? Is there a high temp string/fiber glass type something to get me by for a year or so? thanks guys.

[Frog]

http://www.gpiparts.com/Belts/conveyor_belts.php?var=2#content

Seems to me that I have found just the Nomex thread/string before as well

[inkman996]

We always keep an old belt in storage just for that, its easy to cut a patch out and sew it in. When you replace that one Homer keep some of the old one.

[3Deep]

Homer this might sound dumb but you can get some dental floss and and do a sew patch if you have any extra belt or just sew the rip back with the floss it will last forever I,ve used it before, matter of fact its still on the old dryer we have for a back up.

Darryl

[tonypep]

If you don't have an old belt around there a few companies that were making patch kits at one point. Try searching around. On St Thomas we found a guy who specialized in sail repair and he came in and did an awesome job

[Homer]

awesome, thanks guys. the rip is pretty long, maybe 8'. I'm hoping I can get by with that patch kit for a little while, but until that gets here, I may be ok for a few days... Now -to figure out how to fire it up! first time going gas so we'll see how this goes.

[Shawn (EIP)]

Whatever patchwork or sewing you do make sure when you go to turn off the dryer that the MacGyver'ed area is outside of the heat chamber. (learned from past experience)

[Sbrem]

If it helps Homer, our panels run much hotter than the gas section, probably because the thermocouple is in the middle of the heating element, so they usually read in the 1000° area, while the gas convection in the middle is around 350°

Steve

we let our dryer run without heat at the end of the day for about 15 - 20 minutes to avoid belt damage from a just shut off unit...

[Northland]

I converted an 11' dryer to an 8' dryer.... so the belt had to be shortened up quite a bit.
...had to cut out about 66 inches and overlapped the pieces about 6 inches.
I patched it with teflon thread using a zig-zag pattern.
It's held up well.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/northlandsp/sets/72157630053064448/show/

[Dottonedan]

An upholstery shop will be able to fix that also. I know my father in-law would be able to. He fix's all sorts of unique things.

[broadway]

I have fixed several small rips with just thread, never a patch. But i can remember when i was a kid my mother would fix holes in my jeans with a light weight thin heat sealed fabric patch with an iron. I am sure that a fabric store still sells them. Maybe you could put a patch on each side of small rips and heat seal it. Also they have fabric patches for  boat sails that can fix holes. Not sure if any of this would work on a dryer belt. An 8' long tear might need several small patches. When you install it do not have the belt to tight.

[244]

I have a 60"  x 60' belt so buying a new one is out for the moment. Anybody have any ideas how you fix these things? Is there a high temp string/fiber glass type something to get me by for a year or so? thanks guys.

We sell a dryer belt repair kit. You should find it on store.mrprint.com.

[tonypep]

Thought so but I couldn't remember for sure. This is the best way to go and not expensive.

[lmlwsp]

check out wflake.com. Their patch kit is $50. I had to order a 16' insert to repair/replace my belt and everyone that I talked to said they need a week to two weeks to get it to me and wflake is shipped the same day I ordered. Give them a call 800-428-1162. Also they had the lowest price, not by much, but still less.

[ericheartsu]

Sorry to bring up old topics, but this wflake company was super helpful!