Shopsmith Forums

If it ain't broke... don't fix it!!!
If it is broke? Either fix it or throw it away.

OKAY.......

How do you know when it is time to "discard" the belt that you are using and put on a "new" one.

I got an idea. If each one of you would send me one "slightly used to new" belt - I'd have enough to last me forever. That way I could be frugal and have good sanding belts too.

If it isn't making any dust when I go to use it.

I was looking at some shop tips in a catalog. One said to release tension on your belt sander whenever you won't be using it within the hour. I have a delta sanding station and have never released tension when I am done using it. I don't consider the belt under alot of tension, just enough to track evenly and not slip.

Do you guys release tension on your sanding belt?

dusty wrote:OKAY.......

How do you know when it is time to "discard" the belt that you are using and put on a "new" one.

I got an idea. If each one of you would send me one "slightly used to new" belt - I'd have enough to last me forever. That way I could be frugal and have good sanding belts too.

Dusty,
I would suggest that its time to replace the paper when you feel you are having to put pressure on the piece being sanded to make the grit cut properly. I guess it's just one of those subjective things that will be different for each individual. One way to make a belt last longer is to use one of those gum type belt cleaners on it. But then, being the frugal man you are, you already knew this.
Oh! And by the way, your belt is in the mail.

dusty wrote:OKAY.......

How do you know when it is time to "discard" the belt that you are using and put on a "new" one.

When it shreds.

Or

Like Eldyfig said, when it no longer does what it should do. Yes I release the tension on the belt when I'm done with it. Just like I do with the bandsaw, and the jointer fence.

And Dusty, remember to keep that belt, for the grit when your gluing.

beeg wrote:When it shreds.


And Dusty, remember to keep that belt, for the grit when your gluing.

When it shreds, I don't necessarily discard it. The long narrow strips are good for hand sanding (rounding over edges and the like).

I don't use sand paper grit in the glue like Nick and others do. If I need grit, I go out back in a dry river bed and get natural sand.

dusty wrote:When it shreds, I don't necessarily discard it. The long narrow strips are good for hand sanding (rounding over edges and the like).

I don't use sand paper grit in the glue like Nike and others do. If I need grit, I go out back in a dry river bed and get natural sand.

Dusty
I'm like you if I need sand I just go outside and get a handful. All of Florida is one big sand pile
Actually I have more problems keeping sand off things I don't want to have sand on.
Ed

Ed in Tampa wrote:Dusty
I'm like you if I need sand I just go outside and get a handful. All of Florida is one big sand pile
Actually I have more problems keeping sand off things I don't want to have sand on.
Ed

Your sand is a lot cleaner than this crud in the desert. I have to be careful I don't get black iron dust in mine.

dusty wrote:Your sand is a lot cleaner than this crud in the desert. I have to be careful I don't get black iron dust in mine.

And that's why you might want to use the grit from the belt. Besides, it's in the shop and don't have to walk that far to get it.

I think you are woofing us, Dusty! You can't be keeping all that sanding crap in your shop and present those well organized shop photos at the same time!

Do you have a 20 gallon bucket somewhere to keep all of your used sandpaper in? I think you may be a lot happier (even thrilled) with your ease of work if you would forget about the used sanding belts and torn strips.

Yes - I can should follow some of that advice myself!