Check Your Belt Sander Platten Screws

[algale]

Anyone else had this happen?

The other day I went to change out the sanding belt on my belt sander and the lower left platen screw very nearly fell out when the belt came off. Several other screws also needed to be tightened.

I was shocked by this. I normally go a very long time between changing belts and I don't normally check the platten screws when I do.

I am considering putting a touch of loctite on each of the screws to keep them where they belong!

[JPG]

Use the blue version.

[algale]

Use the blue version.

For sure!

[chapmanruss]

Since the Platen is attached to the Side Frames with screws into Tinnerman Clips I wonder if Loctite would even make that much of a difference.

[algale]

Since the Platen is attached to the Side Frames with screws into Tinnerman Clips I wonder if Loctite would even make that much of a difference.

Great point. I was in a hurry to finish my project and just tightened everything up, slapped the new belt on and got back to work. I need to take a closer look.

[chapmanruss]

A possible solution that comes to mind would be to change to flat head machine screws with either lock nuts or lock washers, nuts and possibly Loctite too.

[davebodner]

You made me check.

One screw was finger-loose. All the rest could use a good tightening. Most concerning of all was that I discovered I was missing three of the 12 washers the platten sits on, so my platten wasn't sitting flat or square. What kinds of problems had that caused me?

[chapmanruss]

davebodner,

Depending on when your Belt Sander was made it may have a washer behind the Back-up Plate (the listed part name instead of Platten) or 2 washers or no washers at each of the 6 holes. In checking different era Manuals, the first Manual from 1956 has 1 washer behind the Back-up Plate. The Manual dated 7-72 (when Shopsmith Inc. was preparing to restart production) has 2 washers behind the Back-up Plate. The Manual from 1-89 and the current parts list have no washers behind the Back-up Plate. The washers were use as spacers between the Back-up Plate and the Inner and Outer Frame castings to the tabs where the Tinnerman Clips attach. The Washers change the Back-up Plate position in relationship to the Drive and Idler Drums. Having some washers missing and depending on where they are missing may cause your Back-up Plate to not sit flat across the entire surface.

EDIT

So, I did just go out and check my Belt Sanders. My Belt Sander made in December of 1977 has the 2 washers behind the Plate at all six holes and the screws were tight. This is my primary Belt Sander with the Dust Collector Chute upgrade. My other Belt Sander I currently have is one I recently acquired and haven't started restoring it yet. The screws are tight and it has the 2 washers behind the Plate. The washers are thicker than standard ones.

[davebodner]

Chapmanruss,

I just made that discovery--about 6 hours after you posted.

For you, and any other Shopsmith archeologists, my printed manual from 6/82 shows the doubled-up washers. They were item #29 on the parts drawing. The current drawing on the website skips #29.

I was scratching my head over why my table was skewed vis-a-vis the belt. I couldn't see how to adjust the table (you can't). Finally I removed the platten and saw the missing washers. Substituting stacks of random washers solved the problem.

Having, or not having, backing washers effectively changes the belt track length. Perhaps belts have changed over the years.