Hot take: I used to fight with every single washing machine belt install, now I just use a zip tie trick

For years I would wrestle with those drum belts on top-load washers, you know the kind where you gotta stretch them over the pulley and they just snap back? It would take me 20 minutes sometimes and my fingers would be killing me. Then about 6 months ago at a job in Medicine Hat, an older repair guy watched me struggle for a minute and showed me how to loop a zip tie around the belt to hold tension while I slid it on. Changed everything. I was so stubborn thinking I had to muscle it on like I always did. Now I keep a pack of zip ties in my pocket for every washer job. Anyone else have a dumb little trick they learned way later than they should have?

2 comments

2 Comments

park.tara21d ago

You know what, I actually used to think the zip tie thing was just a gimmick? I was SO wrong. For years I would fight with those belts and get so frustrated I'd almost want to quit halfway through. Then I finally tried it on a job where I was helping a friend and the belt just slid right on in like 10 seconds. Felt like a COMPLETE idiot for not doing it sooner. Now I won't even start a belt install without having a zip tie ready to go. My fingers thank me every time.

brookethomas21d ago

Buddy of mine spent 45 minutes cussing at a belt on a Tuesday job before his apprentice came over with a zip tie and had it on in 30 seconds. He said he felt like he'd been living in the dark ages.