Shopsmith Forums

Another question, is there any parts on the inside of that top spindle that could be broke or warn out? My gut tells me something is wrong, but it still could be user error.

Thanks.

When you are rotating 'four' times, try going a fifth turn. It should bind before getting to the fifth click. If it gets to the fifth click, the spring may be broken.

Are you holding the wheel as you increase the tension?

tdorey wrote:Played with it tonight, same result.

You tighten by hand, when I turn it on, it clicks and loosens so much that the belt stops spinning. It seems it will run loose with working correctly but when I press wood on it, it just stops the paper from spinning.

If I take it apart, is there any pieces or adjusters on the inside that could be a problem? That sawdust session shows a spring, or at least how not to take it apart.

I hate to sound like a broken record, but it sounds to me like it is an adjustment problem. Mine did the same thing until I got it adjusted correctly. Now, I couldn't ask for a more functional BS. I had to adjust mine, by the book, a few times until I got it dialed in, but now, wouldn't trade it for anything.

JMHO

Now I seem to have a problem with tracking. Any pressure pushes belt right or left.

Here is a video.
https://instagram.com/p/BMpbLeng2y7/

tdorey wrote:Now I seem to have a problem with tracking. Any pressure pushes belt right or left.

Here is a video.
https://instagram.com/p/BMpbLeng2y7/

From looking at the video I think you still have a tension problem. No way the belt should move that easy.

Ed

when it says, "turn knob a full 4 revolutions" do I need to keep that button depressed? or turn it while its extended, (not pressed).

Also, I don't think I ever turned it 4 full times, maybe 2, and that pulls it tight. But when I turn it on, it still seems loose and can move back and forth like on the video.

Should I take it apart, clean and grease?

How about I go through this from scratch so we are all on the same page.

First not all belts are the same so that is why the tension adjustment is there. Worse case is to use a non shopsmith belt...... they can be off more then the tension can be adjusted. Yes there is a way of changing this but for now let assume we have a shopsmith belt on the machine.

First disconnect the belt sander from the shopsmith, then remove the sanding belt. Release what ever tension is on the spring. This is done by holding the idler drum (top one without rubber sleeve) then with your other hand depress the catch on the tension knob. Allow the knob turn clockwise until the catch stops it. Repeat this until it will no longer turn on its own.

At this point you should be able to turn the knob the four revolutions while holding the drum, you turn it counter clock wise. The catch will engage on each revolution so count those up to the four times. This is where you need to be to get started.

Give this a try and if something is not working then it will show up and we can assume a problem.

Ed

I'm glad to see this thread. I have a belt sander and was having a tension problem when I puttered with it. I just pushed it aside since I had another belt sander to use. I have saved the posted instruction picture and will try to get it going soon.
Right now I am busy building a new chimney for the farm shop so I can have good heat there this winter but I am also getting in a little bit of wood shop time. Mostly on in-shop stuff though.