I was selling and splicing leather sewing machine belts for treadle machines until 1980 in my parent's hardware store.
I wonder if anyone even knows how to do that anymore.
Oddly enough, I do. I can also skive new and broken synthetic flat belts, and fuse round belts. The first folder I ever ran, circa 1979, had wooden rollers in the 8 and 16 page sections, and were driven with leather belts. The machine was old, back then, perhaps 1930s-1940s.
There are less than 200 people in my local, 1B, and fewer then half hold a Journeyman card.
The world has changed.
Miller, hope you are feeling well.
Best,
Ted
