The width of the lace is usually about as follows:—

Width of Belt.Width of Lace.
24 inches and over1⁄2inch
6 to 24 inches3⁄8„
2 to 4 inches5⁄16„
2 inches and less1⁄4„

Since belts are tightened by cutting a piece off one end (preferably the end which shows the holes most stretched), it is obvious that a butt-joint possesses an advantage, because as less of the belt length is occupied by the holes they may be cut quite out and new ones punched, whereas, in some cases, the length of the belt occupied by the holes in a lap-joint is more than the length of belt required to be cut out to tighten it.

Fig. 2687.

Fig. 2688.