Belt sander assessment

dstensland · Post by **dstensland** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 10:34 pm

Today I purchased a used belt sander to add to the collection. On the way back I purchased a new ceramic Shopsmith 6x48 belt at Lowes. When I got home I dusted everything off which of course led to an exploratory cleanup/teardown. I'm curious like that.

This video to be particularly helpful in the endeavor...
Shopsmith Academy - SS112 Belt Sander Tuneup
My newly-acquired sander is a 1983 model mounted on top of a non-mobile plywood cabinet. I'm not keen on the cabinet, but for now I'll leave it alone. It houses a 1/2 horsepower 1750 RPM Dayton motor and power switch. The drive pulley is set 1-to-1 which puts this safely within the recommended 1,150 to 1,900 rpm operating range.

At one point in the video, Nick points out a sticky idler drum. This one had the same problem and it was fixed the same way. I used acetone instead of mineral spirits to dissolve the gunk on the spring and shaft.

Both drive drum bearings will need replacement. For now I doused them in Ultra Lube after which bearing noise and mobility improved dramatically. It took awhile to pick out the strands of belt that had tightly wrapped up on both sides. I suspect that material may have contributed to bearing failure...

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When I put the parts back together I had some trouble getting the belt tension right, but this PDF file provided the solution.

My son and I enjoyed testing it out. It could use the dust retro-fit upgrade but we're looking forward to putting this back in service just as it is.

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Hope this little story helps someone else in the future.

-Dave

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 11:27 pm

With that much 'string' around the gearing, the belt was likely rubbing against the wear clips on that side. Do check that out and replace them if needed.

The clips are actually tinnerman clips.

"Wild Bad Bob" · Post by **"Wild Bad Bob"** » Sat Jun 07, 2014 9:33 am

Thanks for that PDF file, bought a clone but need any info on maintenance/adjusting since no manual came with it.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sat Jun 07, 2014 10:56 am

I have yet to feel like I mastered the Belt Sander Tension Adjust. I seem to get it done but it is never easy and every time I change belts it is the same. Once adjusted, the belt sander is great I don't think I could do without it.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sat Jun 07, 2014 10:58 am

dusty wrote:I have yet to feel like I mastered the Belt Sander Tension Adjust. I seem to get it done but it is never easy and every time I change belts it is the same. Once adjusted, the belt sander is great I don't think I could do without it.

Are you crowning the new belt?

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sat Jun 07, 2014 11:03 am

Well, yes, I think I am.

ldh · Post by **ldh** » Sat Jun 07, 2014 11:33 am

Do the newer Shopsmith belt sanders have sealed ball bearings on the idler drum or do they still use the brass bushings?
ldh

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sat Jun 07, 2014 11:53 am

ldh wrote:Do the newer Shopsmith belt sanders have sealed ball bearings on the idler drum or do they still use the brass bushings?
ldh

I don't know what you consider "newer" but mine, which dates back to the late 80s, has brass bushings.

I just looked at the parts diagram, looking for bushing part numbers. I was disappointed to see that most of the parts in the Idler Drum Assembly are not replaceable (not part numbered). I suspect that if you called Shopsmith you would find that you have to purchase the entire Idler Drum Assembly.

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The Tension Knob Assembly and the Drive Drum Assembly also appear to be that way.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sat Jun 07, 2014 1:33 pm

Drive drum assembly does include ball bearings.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sat Jun 07, 2014 1:36 pm

JPG40504 wrote:Drive drum assembly does include ball bearings.

Do you have a Shopsmith part number or better yet a vendor number?