[Jbwatson]

Update...made a jig, tied some belts using a belt from Mike as a guide. I'm using S995 polyester and it looks exactly like the originals, I can't tell a difference and there doesn't seem to be a sonic difference. It's only been about 40 hours of use, but the belt seems to be holding up very well and I'm just sitting here thinking. My belt is a hair, and I do mean a hair, larger than the one I used for a guide, because I couldn't tie it quite as tight as the one I made the jig out of for reference....in fact I broke the original taking it off the nail. Maybe the problem is the replacement belts are slightly tight????  I'll repost in a couple of weeks to see if this one is still going.

[Erocka2000]

On my jig, I have a nail at one end and a push pin at the other.  The push pin helps keep the thread down when tying, and when the knot is tight, you can just pull out the push pin to avoid stretching your newly made belt.  It does take some practice to get the proper length.

[Jbwatson]

Ok, I give up. My belts, that I made, are lasting as long as the others I received from Mike, so slightly undersized was obviously not the answer and I'm not going to speculate any longer. Making the belts is simple and I have a lifetime supply of thread...don't worry, be happy. My jig consists of two finishing nails on a long narrow board that I can slide between my legs and hold while I tie the belt. It works great.

[watercourse]

Installed Mike P's replacement belt two weeks ago, no problems with daily play, and no change in my behavior. Guess he's right when he says it's due to individual belt idiosyncracies.