MTFCA Forum

I am still deciding on band linings. From the recent kevlar band thread ,Red Hook Restorations” nev r wear “seems to be a good choice.

I called and was told that they do not seal the ends. Dupont only recommends epoxy on Kevlar and it is too hard for drums. Their ends are frayed but can not unravel because the Kevlar is woven in a lock stitch. Did not recommend super glue.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

John

Kevlar band linings are not "forever bands". When I removed the bands fro my 1910, the Kevlar bands were worn and the ends frayed. While these band were in for 30 years or more, the milage on my 1910 in that time was about 2000 miles. The original drums are smooth, with the brake drum showing the most wear. I read somwwhere that kevlar band linnings should be checked after 1000 miles and replaced after 2000 miles or when the linings are down at about one fourth.

John

That info was in the instructions of a set of Nev R Wear just received. In my experience if you don't seal the fraying lints up. Have always used a few drops of Gel-type crazy glue across the width of those frayed ends to seal them.

Never had any trouble, can't fathom harm to the drums, unless you're careless and use runny thin liquid crazy glue and let it soak into the underside of the Kevlar. The sealed ends are sticking up anyway since they lay just outside the bottom of the band lugs, there isn't any pressure on these exposed ends when the steel band compresses on the drum. You sure don't want the ends of the steel band to drag on the drum surface. That is why about 1/4" or so of the lining should extend past the band or lugs when you rivet each end first to the band.

Kevlar that has not been sealed on the edges. Good to have the accessory oil screen to catch these bits.

Newly sealed Nev R Wear Kevlar ready to be installed.

Showing overhang of Kevlar

Thanks Dan. I think I will order a set and seal them.


John

Those Nev-R-Wear are good linings to use.


This is what those same in the above photo Kevlar linings with sealed ends looks like after 4 years in.

"Four years in"? Really? Great picture Dan, but are you sure you grabbed the right photo? Looking at the ends of those bands in THAT photo, they look brand new and perfectly dry to me! Maybe just my old eyes tho'.....

Not saying it's right or wrong, but I used a MAP gas torch on the ends of my kevlar bands.

Seems to be working so far . . .

...I used a MAP gas torch on the ends of my Kevlar bands.

I do that with nylon rope so it won't unravel. I suspect it will work just as well with Kevlar. Looking at a set of "new" linings in my shop (RM, not Red Hook) I find that they are glued, so I assume that the new ones will be too, if and when they're available.