Belt length for bandsaw

[Dave Bagwill]

Hiya - working on a guitar for our favorite Netherlander.

Of course my bandsaw broke a belt for the lower wheel. I ordered a replacement from Grizzly and I have a question.
The broken built measures 25 1/2" long; the new belt is 23 1/2" long. The wheel is in fact 9" in diameter.
Am I to understand that the belt is to be stretched to fit?
Thanks
Dave

[Carl Dickinson]

When I put new tires on my old craftsman I soaked them for quite a while in real hot water to assist in stretching them and used a couple of dowels to ease them around the wheel. It's been a while, hope I remember that right.

[Dave Bagwill]

Thank you, Carl - I will do that first thing in the (cooler) morning...
BTW - how are you?

[Carl Dickinson]

I'm getting better. The physical changes from the head/neck radiation seem to go on and on though. Things are starting to taste more like they used to so that's encouraging. How about you, Dave?

[Dave Bagwill]

Thanks for your update, Carl.
I have an MRI in an hour or so. The brain tumors were gone a few months ago; this will tell if they have come back or not9"
Good days, bad days, mostly good.
Right now just getting the (&$^&**($$E% 9" belt on would be a treat.....

[Dave Bagwill]

MRI results on Mychart - which the doc will not see until Tuesday when I have an appointment - show that no tumors have come back, and all looks ok.
Bigger news: I got the belt on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks to Carl.
I will cut wood in the morning and with luck have the Dutchman's guitar done in a week and ready to ship!

[Dave Bagwill]

Ok - the wifely unit is pointing out my rudeness. I will fix that thus:
Netherlander = Herman
Dutchman = Herman
Next week = I should be so lucky. Agreed, but I will try...