how to fix daughter's toy?

[atgcpaul]

This 2" diameter elastic band in my daughter's toy broke. It wraps around the motor shaft and drives some spinning discs on the toy. Lots of fun to be had when it works.

A regular rubberband is too stretchy. Do you know where I can buy a replacement band or do you have suggestions for a substitute?

We bought it used. No stamps or stickers indicating make or model.

[LCHIEN]

maybe try some o-rings at the local Ace hardware or whatever. they usually have a box with all sorts of sizes and thicknesses. You can buy individual ones.

[SHADOWFOX]

Would a rubber band work? Or, Might be able to use a super glue to fix the existing band.

[woodturner]

This 2" diameter elastic band in my daughter's toy broke. It wraps around the motor shaft and drives some spinning discs on the toy. Lots of fun to be had when it works.

A regular rubberband is too stretchy. Do you know where I can buy a replacement band or do you have suggestions for a substitute?

If LCHIEN's o-ring suggestion doesn't work out, a VCR belt would probably fit, if you have a local repair shop or want to order from MCM.

Lowes and HDs that have the cardboard drawers of Hillman assorted parts often will have a robot part drawer (I forget what they call it). They have small drive belts in that assortment.

Another option might be bands from the orthodontist - they would be a suitable material, but I'm not sure if they would be large enough.

[cwsmith]

I wondering how "stretchy" the original band is... and could a rubber band of smaller diameter (circumference) work?

The o-ring suggestion sounds great, and hopefully you will find one.

But, I'm also wondering (and this is a stretch [pun?]) if a somewhat squeezy plastic bottle of close diameter could be cut to provide such a band. (Hey, just in case the o-ring option can't be found.)

Good luck,

CWS

[atgcpaul]

Fixt. I didn't want to use the rubberband, but it works and will keep the kiddos happy for a few days while I hunt down an appropriately sized O-ring.

Thanks.

[herb fellows]

If the size would work, small diameter tubing from Home Depot, with a smaller piece inserted in both sides with e6000 glue.

[mpc]

Electronics parts stores - real ones, not Radio Shack type of places - carry small drive belts. They're typically black, don't stretch much, and have a square cross section to ride in a "V" groove pulley. These are the type of drive belts used in cassette decks, CD/DVD drives, etc. They don't stretch much and don't dry out quickly like rubber bands tend to do.

mpc

[tommyt654]

Try an othodontist rubber band maybe?

[cabinetman]

Electronics parts stores - real ones, not Radio Shack type of places - carry small drive belts. They're typically black, don't stretch much, and have a square cross section to ride in a "V" groove pulley. These are the type of drive belts used in cassette decks, CD/DVD drives, etc. They don't stretch much and don't dry out quickly like rubber bands tend to do.

mpc

+1. A real electronics store should have a band that would work. Take the old one with you. I've had VCR's apart, and the belt drive mechanism doesn't look compatible. So don't bank on that type of equipment. Could be from a variety of hardware. I needed a drive band for an old receiver. I found a replacement at an electronics place.

.

[durango dude]

maybe this

http://www.studiosoundelectronics.com/cassette.htm

[greenacres2]

When i saw the title of this thread last night--i had a moment of melancholy and couldn't even read it until now...

My oldest son was 2, had a Sesame Street piano with 4 or 5 keys. We were flat broke, trying to keep electricity and running water along detergent to wash diapers at the time. I came home from work one night--Patrick was crying because his piano had just broken. His mom told him that it was plastic so it couldn't be fixed. And then..."Daddy will fiss it, Daddy fiss everything." I melted. Brittle plastic, no obvious way to disassemble, if we'd have had $5 i would have snuck out to buy a new one but we didn't. Worked carefully until near 2 am, got creative and was able to get the bugger apart, repaired and put back together.

It's cool to be somebody's hero, even when it's only because you're their Dad. His own first son is due on the 11th of February, i hope he'll have the same feeling. And that he'll be painted into the same corner he put me in 25 years ago!!

Thanks for the memory!!

earl

[Pappy]

If the size would work, small diameter tubing from Home Depot, with a smaller piece inserted in both sides with e6000 glue.

Along the same line. How about surgical tubing?

[woodturner]

Lots of fun to be had when it works.

I gotta ask - fun for her or you?

[atgcpaul]

I gotta ask - fun for her or you?

Guilty! I'm easily amused.

The two discs on this spin in opposing directions and there's a gap that lets a spinning item shift one disc to the other. It's just fun to watch things either crash into each or nearly crash into each other. Hey, I've got two girls. I need to inject a little testosterone into their lives.