3- By forming the loops shown, there was no eccentric load in the connection. 



4- The loops were made large to eliminate the chafing 1 had seen in similar 

 connections that were tightly fastened to rings. 



In order to see which was stronger, one loop was fastened to the centerpiece using cold 

 vulcanizing compound, the other using Flexane 80 putty. 



The cold vulcanizing compound is made up of a cement and an accelerator that is mixed 

 together. It is compounded for bonding rubber to rubber. After mixing, the pot life is 

 approximately 3 hours, and the mixture is very easy to work with. It was applied using the 

 following technique: 



1- Use a stiff wire wheel attached to a bench grinder to roughen the surface of 

 the belt. Surface should feel rough to fingers. 



2- Wash down the area using alcohol until it is clean and free from dirt and 

 grease. 



3- Prepare the cold vulcanizing compound according to instructions given on 

 can. 



4- With a small nylon paint brush apply two coats to each surface. The initial 

 coats should be allowed to dry thoroughly. 



5- The third coat was applied, and when it felt tacky the parts were 

 assembled. 



6- The two parts of the end piece were sandwiched over the center section at 

 the 4-inch overlap, one piece of aluminum sheet metal was placed on each 

 side of the joint and the entire assembly placed in a vise and tightened to 

 firm pressure. Coat the aluminum with a very light coat of grease to 

 prevent it bonding to the rubber. 



7- Leave the assembly in the vise for approximately 48 hours. 



The entire procedure from step 1 through 6 took about three hours and half the amount 



purchased would have sufficed. 



20 



