New Old Belt Sander

dkerfoot · Post by **dkerfoot** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:33 pm

I just picked up a used belt sander (green era). I don't have a manual and am a bit confused about the proper way to go from horizontal to vertical.

There is the funny round knob/nut with the holes in the side and a regular nut & bolt. Am I to understand that I need to remove the regular nut & bot when going from one position to the other and then replace it in the hole on the other side?

I watched Nick's maintenance video, and the unit he worked on just seemed to have the round knob/nut, but not the 2nd bolt. It seems kind of wobbly to me without this 2nd bolt in place.

I'd love a copy of the manual, but they don't seem to have a.pdf of it and I hate to pay $10 for a manual that I'll look at once and never again - especially when it will probably be back-ordered for weeks/months... I do plan on ordering a 2 1/2" hose converter though, once I get it all working properly.

-Doug

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:37 pm

dkerfoot wrote:I just picked up a used belt sander (green era). I don't have a manual and am a bit confused about the proper way to go from horizontal to vertical.

There is the funny round knob/nut with the holes in the side and a regular nut & bolt. Am I to understand that I need to remove the regular nut & bot when going from one position to the other and then replace it in the hole on the other side?

I watched Nick's maintenance video, and the unit he worked on just seemed to have the round knob/nut, but not the 2nd bolt. It seems kind of wobbly to me without this 2nd bolt in place.

I'd love a copy of the manual, but they don't seem to have a.pdf of it and I hate to pay $10 for a manual that I'll look at once and never again - especially when it will probably be back-ordered for weeks/months... I do plan on ordering a 2 1/2" hose converter though, once I get it all working properly.

-Doug

I don't remember there being a bolt and nut with my belt sander - just the knob. I do use a bolt and nut though. The knob, alone, is not sufficient.

mbcabinetmaker · Post by **mbcabinetmaker** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:44 pm

Doug

That funny nut you are referring to is the knob to loosen to move the sander from horizontal to vertical. The holes in the sides are for inserting the hex tool to help loosen and tighten it, it is the same system used on the miter gauge. I have found on my sander however that it does not work well that way. I keep a 9/16 socket handy and loosen the nut on the back side instead.

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 8:41 pm

I purchased a new belt sander about a year ago. That extra bolt you are talking about is a safety thing to help keep the sander from tilting during use.

I gave that bolt a toss and never missed it. I bet someone made Shopsmith put that on for extra safety.

Here is a link that may help you out. http://www.shopsmith.com/academy/beltsand/index.htm

Ron309753 · Post by **Ron309753** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:42 am

I would spend the $ on the manual. I find having a manual for reference is always a good idea. I ordered a manual for a Joint-Matic and had it in a week.

Sincerely,

Ron

dkerfoot · Post by **dkerfoot** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 12:03 pm

I have the belt sander working really well now, but have one question/concern:

It came with one used original Shopsmith sanding belt and 20 new replacement belts. The Shopsmith belt works well, though it is worn. When I replaced it with a new belt, within about 10-15 minutes, it came apart at the seam. Same thing for the 2nd one I tried. Put the original belt back on and it ran fine for a good half hour before I quit.

Are the replacement belts just defective or am I possibly doing something wrong? I did have the tracking adjusted properly and had them running in the right direction according to the arrows on the inside of the belts.

The first replacement belt was a little loose, so I tightened up the far side adjuster (opposite the tracking knob) a couple turns to snug it up.

-Doug

mbcabinetmaker · Post by **mbcabinetmaker** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 12:54 pm

That is a common problem with older belts. The glue joint does not hold from either moisture or heat exposure. Best to buy just a couple at the time. I know of no way to salvage the ones you have. I use the belts with but joints instead of lap joints and they can run in either direction. Your sander takes a common size 6x48 inch belt.

billmayo · Post by **billmayo** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 1:47 pm

cincinnati wrote:I purchased a new belt sander about a year ago. That extra bolt you are talking about is a safety thing to help keep the sander from tilting during use.

I gave that bolt a toss and never missed it. I bet someone made Shopsmith put that on for extra safety.

Here is a link that may help you out. http://www.shopsmith.com/academy/beltsand/index.htm

The original instructions I got with my belt sander in 1980 was that the bolt was for shipping only and could be discarded. However, I found the bolt helps keep the belt sander more stable and have always used it.

I have not found any tape/glue that will reattach the belt or strip sander belt ends when they pull apart from age, moisture and/or dryness. I have tried new fiberglass tape and different 3M spray glues without success. I would be interested if anyone has a combination that will allow use of parted sanding belts.

I have not tried any type of hot glue. That thought just occurred to me as I was writing this. My wife uses hot glue for outside decorations that hold up for a year at a time until she changes them again.

dkerfoot · Post by **dkerfoot** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 2:09 pm

billmayo wrote:I would be interested if anyone has a combination that will allow use of parted sanding belts.

I'd also be interested in knowing if there is a method of reinforcing them before they break. I got 20 of them with the sander and I hate to throw them all away!

-Doug

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 4:15 pm

dkerfoot wrote:I'd also be interested in knowing if there is a method of reinforcing them before they break. I got 20 of them with the sander and I hate to throw them all away!

-Doug

DON'T DISCARD them even if they break. The pieces make excellent sand paper for working edges and the like by hand.

I don't know anything about reinforcing them but if I had one broken I'd give it a try with some good tape. Maybe this is a job for duct tape.