Shopsmith Forums

I just got a used belt sander for my shopsmith. I have it in vertical mode. The hand tighten the belt and the top. I turn it on, and in 2 seconds the belt loosens and is unusable. I understand how the tracking works but I can't get the bel to staY tights.

Am I missing something? The top and bottom spindles roll nicely.

Thanks.

I have been there. It is easy once you get the instructions!

Based on these instructions, I press the button and the tension "automatically" tightens? Cause when I do it, nothing happens. I keep reading it, there must be something I am missing. I watched a guys YouTube video and he slightly tightened by hand and it seemed to loosen a bit when he turned it on, but it was tight enough to use, Mine loosens ups so much it won't e en spin.

Read the above instructions regarding re-tensioning the idler drum. Sounds like you don't have enough tension on it.

The directions do not say that it automatically tensions when you press the lever. Realizing that was my personal "ah ha" moment. That releases the tension so that you may set the correct tension... Once you figure that out, don't smack your forehead too hard! It can be confusing.

ChrisNeilan wrote:The directions do not say that it automatically tensions when you press the lever. Realizing that was my personal "ah ha" moment. That releases the tension so that you may set the correct tension... Once you figure that out, don't smack your forehead too hard! It can be confusing.

From the directions: "Depress latch in tension knob. Knob turns automatically to provide correct tension."

Thump! Well, so it does! Another "ah ha" moment!

I knocked my head against the wall soooo maaany tiiiiiimes on a Menards Clone that works the same till JPG straightened me out.
Unless you have problem internally, it does not work intuitively to common thinking.

Shopsmith really needs to spend some money and update their videos. Doug Reid is the only guy that did some videos and he doesn't even work for shopsmith. If they want to stay relevant they need to invest a bit in high quality tutorials.

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.