msa
You bet. Make everything simple to fab using run of the mill machines. As far the bands, I have spoken to a company that applies the very high end brake pad materials to race pads. Cant use ceramic where there are bearings but this stuff is supposed to be good. I have about 270 degrees of wrap with very wide bands. They will cinch when drawn. if it is not enough for use with 40 HP then I have another plan that is a bit more expensive that uses hydraulic systems like motorcycles. Good point though.
"First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win." - Mahatma Gandhi