Originally Posted by olebat
Should the old leather treadle belts be conditioned? I have vague recollections of Dad cleaning them with saddle soap when they started to get slick. I need to shorten the belt on my old Domestic, and thought while I had it off, if I needed to condition it, I'd take the opportunity. It isn't slick, and no evidence of dry rot, Just want to do right by the ole gal.
I have found that when the belt gets hard and slick, it is just easier to get a new pliable belt. I guess, you could use a leather conditioner on the belt and see if that helps. I would be afraid of causing a drag or slipping? Anyone else tried conditioning a treadle belt?
Nancy