Famicom Disk belt keeps slipping off!!!

[zmaster18]

This is so frustrating! My belt keeps slipping off every few minutes or so! I've used these same belts for other disk systems, but this time it just won't stay put! Anyone know why this is? 

[fredJ]

Yes, probably because you didn't clean all the junk from the little wheel... That's actually what takes the longest.

[zmaster18]

I have cleaned off every little piece of dirt off as well as made sure there was no oil on the wheel either. Is there any way to get more friction between the wheel and the belt?
Post Merge: March 10, 2014, 11:04:12 am
I'm starting to think it's the actual belt itself! I bought one of the thin yellow belts that you see on ebay currently. I think these belts just have really bad grip on the wheel and just slide off even when you turn the gears with your finger. I have used these belts for 4 other disk drives and I never had this problem before, so maybe it's just a stubborn drive.

Would you recommend I get the regular thicker black belts?

[kiwidaveinjapan]

Tototek sell some great FDS replacement belts, I've never had any problems with them. 

http://www.tototek.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=106

Hope this helps!

[fredJ]

The yellow belts are thinner, but they work. They might last longer too, I hope. They are advertised as such anyways.
I was able to buy a bunch of them really cheap from a seller on YAJ.
Why tototek takes 6$ for a little piece of rubber is my question.

Main annoyance with the yellow is that they much easier slip off the big wheel and it is annoying to have to try and get it back into place.
It does slip easier when you move the gear with your finger because one often touches the belt at the same time.

[zmaster18]

Ok so I've ordered 10 transparent belts from seller on ebay for a total of $20 shipped. So far this is the best deal. I imagine these are thicker than the yellow belts but maybe still not as good as the black ones. I will probably get these in a week.

Also another little question, the disk drive I have is a later revision I think. You know how for the spindle alignment you have to align the tiny hole on the underside of the white wheel to the little hole in the metal triangle plate? My triangle plate doesn't have that hole! What should I do? I am aligning it like the picture anyways, but it's still not working too well.   

[fredJ]

What transparent belts are those?

Hmm, I don't align according to the hole anymore. I just set it parallel from the reading start position, and then adjust the other screw if necessary.

[zmaster18]

I got my new belts and they slip off every time  These belts do have more grip and are tighter, but still slip. It's gotta be my wheel that's having problems. Maybe I can polish it so the surface is smoother?

[fredJ]

Well I have tried to help you out so far, but if you're only in it for the money (most of your posts either ask for help or are in the Buy/Sell), I am losing interest.... 

[nurd]

ive never seen or heard of yellow or transparent belts...

i'd just stick to the black ones that are known to work

[zmaster18]

Aha!!     I have solved this issue! I continued to lightly sand the surface of the wheel until it was nice and smooth, and then used a rubber pencil eraser to go over the surface again. The friction on the eraser helped smooth it out even more, as well as leaving some tiny particles of rubber on the wheel.

I slapped in a transparent belt and it hasn't fallen off since! Got another drive working again! 


These transparent belts are slightly better than the yellow ones. They are a little tighter and have better grip! At $2 each, it's the best deal you can find.