Best way to crimp round leather belt

[RIRR]

I was wondering the best way to put the clip in a round leather belt( tight, loose, 45 degree angle or straight)? Thanks

[Jim McCracken]

I got a round leather belt a few years ago to use on my 5 hp Samson.
I took it to a guy that fitted the round belts on the old treddle sewing machines.He butted the ends together and had a clip that looked like a big
paper staple.He had a plier type tool and pushed the clip straight through from the top and clinched it over on the bottom.It was about 1/4" back from the ends of the belt.This acts like a hinge and haven't had a problem with it.
I have thought that I could probably have taken a hot needle and made the
holes.I thought about using a heavy paper clip,but probably would use
something stronger.Good Luck !

[Greg Downard]

Grandpa showed me years ago how to join them when he had one on his tractor powered corn sheller. He butted up the ends leaving about a 1/32 gap. Drilled a hole in each end and straightened out a hog ring. Pushed the ring through the holes and crimped them together to form a chain like link leaving it loose enough to allow the ends to move slightly but tight enough that the ends stay inline with each other. The link has to pivot allowing the belt to pivot while going around the pulley. I have made a few like this and they have held up well. The small dia. belts I use welding wire. It is copper coated steel and is strong enough to hold. Another tip he gave me was to wipe leather down with a light coat of Neatsfoot oil or vegtable oil to soften the belt so it don't crack or fray when it dries out from the dust.