Shopsmith Forums

NEW STRIP SANDER QUESTION.

I have been looking at the parts breakdown and I seem to be missing part number 18 -Idler Wheel Guard. I noticed the belt on that wheel does not track on center but does track well enough to use. Looks like I could just place a washer or two behind the wheel. Any thought if the guard is needed?

Anyone have a photo of the guard in place so I know what I need to do?

The guard must have been a later addition. I picked one up a few months age, it doesn't have one.
The trunion was cracked on mine too, seems to be a common occurance.
Cheap to replace though.

gregf wrote:The guard must have been a later addition. I picked one up a few months age, it doesn't have one.
The trunion was cracked on mine too, seems to be a common occurance.
Cheap to replace though.

I have a couple of strip sanders, one made in Nov. 89 and one in Apr. 93. Both have the metal idler wheels with ball bearings. The 93 has the idler wheel guard while the 89 does not. I have had a couple of later models that had the plastic idler wheels. SS may have found is more cost effective to use the plastic wheels with the bushings. The 89 and 93 model have never given me any problem.
ldh

A little cool in the shop today but I took a couple of pictures of the guard. Looks like one could make one if you needed to but if it cheap it might not be worth the effort.

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Ed

Thanks for the photo. I am sure that is the reason the belt does not track center. My sander is dated 12-1988. I know this sander has changed hand a few times so hard to tell what is original and what is not. Sounded like the guy I got it from received it as a package deal with a model 500.

I plan at some point to order all the parts I need. Just going to hold off till I have a sizable order. Don't want to pay shipping for such a few cheap parts.
The spring I got at the Hardware store is a little too stiff. Usable for sure but would like to have the correct one from Shopsmith.

I was wondering where exactly the trunion is cracking on all your units. The one I have looks to be well made enough it would not crack. Newer units have a thinner one????

Below are some photos. Here is a pic of the bearing. It has some kind of rubber shield (orange in color)

This shows the front cover. The previous owner had something going on wrong. The groves inside the front cover are deep and thread in the belts was melted into the cover.

If you look by the dust port you can see the cover was cut clear through.

Here is a photo of the trunion. Is it thicker than new models?

Look at this photo. What is the screw for just to the five o'clock position of the upper wheel.

I am not talking about the hole where you move one of the small wheels to. The one in question has a screw in it.

cincinnati wrote:Look at this photo. What is the screw for just to the five o'clock position of the upper wheel.

I am not talking about the hole where you move one of the small wheels to. The one in question has a screw in it.

EDIT - - This post is in error - I looked later and found my tracking wheel spring to be in the same location as Cinncinnati's! But my spring (the origional) is lighter duty.
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\Don't know what it is for! I see your machine is different than my newer model. My tracking wheel spring is located behind the wheel/ \with a bent metal bracket to hold it in place. Your spring is below the tracking wheel. /
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Looks like there are more differences than plastic idler wheels.