Thorens TD-124 : What Belt Are You Using?

[heyraz]

After 6 years, the Thakker Belt on my Thorens TD-124 MK 1 has degraded. Shedding belt debris and deposits on the pulley:



The belt still functions. In fact, the only reason I lifted the platter was to adjust the Eddy Brake because the table has been running a little fast lately and is beyond the normal range of adjustment for the Eddy Brake. Hmmm.

The Thakker belt hasn't stretched, snapped or fallen off but I think the deposits on the pulleys can't be good for speed stability. I have no way to accurately measure speed stability, so I can't state with certainty that the deposits have any effect. The strobe dots don't sway or dance. More than likely, if the deposits have created any instability, it has occurred over time too gradually for me to notice.

If the deposits have increased the overall diameter of the motor's drive pulley seen in the photo, I think that should increase platter speed. What a coincidence!

A member whose opinion I value greatly uses a Thorens Branded belt (which I just ordered along with another Thakker).

An article I found at theanalogdept regarding the Thorens OEM belt states:

After 1 year, drive and driven pulleys were cleaned after use and it was noted that there was an extraordinary accumulation of belt shedding debris. Then again, after cleaning of both pulleys, and the belt, and then put back into use for 1 week. The oem Thorens belt (with Thorens logo) again shed its material excessively onto the pulleys while in use.

https://www.theanalogdept.com/td124_belts.htm

Maybe the Thakker Belt held up admirably after 6 years.

Other options I see are:

Schopper:
https://www.schopper.ch/index.php?page=Belt

Hanze:
https://shop.hanzehifi.nl/product/thorens-td124-hanze-belt-low-noise/

AudioSilente:
http://www.audiosilente.com/spare-parts-thorens-td-124-td-135-td-184-td-121-td-224-drive-belt.html

So I'm wondering....what is everybody else using? Any opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Rich

Edit: Have you checked your belts after a few years to see if they've degraded like the Thakker and OEM Thorens Brand?

If so, what do you estimate is their belt life?

 

[wd40addict]

TD124 owners this side of the pond have been getting excited about these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/195089766218

Although in the 50Hz version obviously

 

[dbxdx5]

I've been using the Hanze for a few years now.

 

[heyraz]

@wd40addict and @dbxdx5 :

Have you checked your belts after a few years to see if they've degraded like the Thakker and OEM Thorens Brand?

If so, what do you estimate is their belt life?

 

[wd40addict]

I'm actually a 301 owner, but as a vintage turntable enthusiast have read a fair bit about 124 owners' belt issues.

 

[tnsilver]

After 6 years, the Thakker Belt on my Thorens TD-124 MK 1 has degraded.

I'd be raising a cold one and be glad for my luck. I change the same Thakker belt ('Thorens' branded) every two years, with exactly the same symptoms. Near the end of their life I rub them in talcum powder (some say this stuff is just corn starch) and that buys me some time to order a new one. I was never aware there was a belt for 60Hz and one for 50Hz. AFAIK there was ever only one.

 

[heyraz]

@tnsilver thanks.
I'm beginning to realize that I should have payed more attention to the belt and pulley.

Near the end of their life I rub them in talcum powder (some say this stuff is just corn starch)

Up until a few years ago, Johnson & Johnson sold two versions of "Baby Powder". One contained Talc, the other Corn Starch. They discontinued the version containing talc because of the lawsuits so yes...all J&J "Baby Powder" currently available is cornstarch.

Pure talc is still available from other sources.
I would not use cornstarch, it can clump.

I coated my old belt in talc 6 years ago to reduce noise. I'll pay more attention to the pulleys and belt from now on.

I was never aware there was a belt for 60Hz and one for 50Hz.

I ordered 3 different belts from 3 different sources. I'll measure their lengths and see if one is better than the others.

 

[adnick]

Rich:

Forgot to mention that I use talc on my belts when we were talking….Buy an English brand of Talc from Amazon that’s advertised as real, and it smells like barber shop talc, can’t recall the name right now

 

[heyraz]

Rich:

Forgot to mention that I use talc on my belts when we were talking….Buy an English brand of Talc from Amazon that’s advertised as real, and it smells like barber shop talc, can’t recall the name right now

Yes, thanks.
I have an old container of talc that I used when I restored my turntable.