Re: Tread material [TANKS]

[Amir Tahvildaran <adt22-at-drexel.edu>]

Now that you mention 4' wide belts, it reminded me about a process I 
thought of for TTS manufacturing.  The goal is to make it easier to 
"mass" produce tracks. 

Glue 2 boards (1/4" thick x 2' x 4') to the top and bottom of a 2' wide 
section of belting (8+' long).  Leave 6" of belting uncovered on one end 
(for the joint).
Set your router's depth to a shade under the thickness of the board and 
make cuts straight across the width of the top board a 1" intervals.
Flip the board and repeat the cuts so that they line up with the 
opposite board.  The goal is to leave the belt intact and wind up with a 
2' wide TTS track.
Repeat the process for the remaining length of belt, again leaving room 
for the joint.
Carefully put the belt through the table saw at your desired track width. 
Join the ends of the tracks as you normally would.
Re-cut extra tracks for holiday gifts.

Preparation time: 1 day
Serves: 6-8 tanks

I don't see myself trying this anytime soon -- hopefully its not a 
recipe for disaster if anyone else attempts it.

-Amir


mxlyons-at-cox.net wrote:
> If you need tread material and can't find treadmill belt, I saw some stuff at Home 
>Depot that *may* work.  I haven't tried it, so take this for what it's worth.
>
> In Plumbing, it's called PVC Shower Pan Liner (or similar).  It's gray, comes in 
>4' wide rolls and sells for $4.98 per linear foot.  If you only want one joint per 
>track, you'd have enough for several sets.  It seems flexible yet strong, obviously 
>waterproof.
>
> With the PVC cement (as used with pipe, along with Purple Primer etc) is a similar 
>cement made for this shower pan liner.
>
> Mike
>
>