Shopsmith Forums

I was having trouble getting my 6" sander to track. Just wouldn't stay straight no matter how I adjusted it. Finally pulled it apart and found the cam on the tension knob side was broke in two pieces. Looking online it looks like you can only buy the cams with the idler drum assembly. Has anyone attempted to make one? I hate to pay that much for the assembly.

As you have found it is only sold as an assembly. It is a very difficult item to work on although not impossible. Having done so myself I would recommend getting a replacement. The individual parts for the drum will be hard to find even used.

Thanks Russ, I thought that might be the answer. I have two sanders and wanted to use this one because is has the flat drive roller. I was able to get the cam off of my older unit and put this one back together. I'll keep watching for parts or if I get time this winter I may try to make a new cam.

Ended up making a cam. It was a pain. All working good now.