Shopsmith Forums

Is there any rhyme or reason to Shopsmith part numbers? Would the higher part number of the green belts suggest a newer product?

More ceramic abrasive trivia:

Gator G2 Belts Part numbers 522933 - 522937
"Green Belts" Part numbers 556149 - 556153
"Green Discs" Part numbers 556140 - 556146 and 556179 - 556184

"Green Belts" have directional arrows, Gator G2 are bi-directional.

"Green Belts" first appeared on the Shopsmith web site March 2011
http://web.archive.org/web/201103110312 ... cbelts.htm

"Green PSA discs" first appeared April 2011
http://web.archive.org/web/201003010000 ... _discs.htm

"Green Velcro discs" first appeared June 2012
http://web.archive.org/web/201205010000 ... eramic.htm

Gator G2 belts first appeared December 2012
http://web.archive.org/web/201212200105 ... c_6x48.htm

Similar part numbers (522929, ......522933, 522934, 522936, 522937) might give you similar results but them it might just as well give you no results.

I do not believe you can draw many conclusions at all from the Shopsmith part number. I do believe that two different part numbers will not bring you the exact same part but you might not be able to distinguish the difference.

In my past experience, packaging did not alter the part number. Only manufacturing did that. Not necessarily true for Shopsmith.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... gbelts.htm

As far as the red belts are concerned, here is some info from the Gator web site on their FAQ page.


"What is Red Resin coating?

Many of our power sanding abrasives are coated with Red Resin which resists heat, humidity and clogging for increased durability and performance."


Also from the SS section of the Gator catalog.

"All Shopsmith abrasives feature G2 Technology..."

These would be the ones in the retail packaging as shown in the Gator catalog and also at www.shopsmithabrasives.com.

The only section of the ALI Industries/Gator catalog where G2 is mentioned is the Shopsmith section.

My guess is that the green belts on the SS website are the standard Gator belts from ALI and of course the Premium belts on the SS web site are the G2 belts that SS sells under their name a Lowe's and other places.

Went to buy some sanding belts today. If I add the 36 grit green ceramic listed at $21.37 to my cart it says, as I would expect:

This Item Has Been Added To Your Shopping Cart
556149 - 36 grit ceramic sanding belt
36 grit 6"x48" ceramic sanding belt

HOWEVER, when I go to my shopping cart, I find that the G2 part number (and price) have been substituted.

522933 6x48 Ceramic 36grit 25.98

The same happens for other grits, but the G2 prices are lower than the premium ceramic for those belts.

Makes life easier though -- no longer have to wonder which I should buy.

Oh my! Can't hardly believe how much we can fret over sanding belts that most likely will produce similar results. After many posts, we are still guessing at any differences other than color and glues.

We really want sanding belts that do a good job of sanding, quickly, and last a long time.

I've used the green belts for several years and find them to be super good. No need to waste time wondering about the new G2's. (kinda like the 510 - 520 controversy) If it works for you - use it!

I'll just stick with the green ones and avoid fretting! Too old to waste time worrying about such minor things!

charlese wrote:I've used the green belts for several years and find them to be super good. No need to waste time wondering about the new G2's. (kinda like the 510 - 520 controversy) If it works for you - use it!

I'll just stick with the green ones and avoid fretting! Too old to waste time worrying about such minor things!

The point of my previous post is that you can no longer buy the green (non-G2) belt. When you attempt to do so, the G2 shows up in your shopping cart.

I've seen some of those Gator products re-branded by Norton, as well, or at least appear that way. Been pleased with them (the Shopsmith branded ones), though, fwiw. Though I'm getting off topic...

paulrussell wrote:

charlese wrote:I've used the green belts for several years and find them to be super good. No need to waste time wondering about the new G2's. (kinda like the 510 - 520 controversy) If it works for you - use it!

I'll just stick with the green ones and avoid fretting! Too old to waste time worrying about such minor things!

The point of my previous post is that you can no longer buy the green (non-G2) belt. When you attempt to do so, the G2 shows up in your shopping cart.

FWIW, I bought some SS G2 disks for my random orbit sander quite a while ago. I can tell you they last a LOT longer than non G2 disks. By that I mean two to three times longer. Also there is virtually no clogging.`

I bought them on eBay because at the time they were much cheaper than Lowes.