Shopsmith Forums

Hello,
I'm new to the forum. I have a question regarding sanding belts.

I was given an old Shopsmith by my Grandpa and it came with about 20 belts for the belt sander (6x48). Unfortunately, after sitting unused for more than a decade, the glue on the seams of the belt has let go and the belts all come apart as soon as I try to use them.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to how I could fix the seams?

Before they come apart, apply packing tape across the joint on the back side.

No guarantees, but worth a try.

jimhender,

Welcome to the Shopsmith Forum.

Unfortunately, old unused Sanding Belts are not very good for use. Storage conditions will affect how long they can be good for before having problems like yours. The same is true for Sanding Drums. Some Sanding Belts are directional so make sure you are mounting them correctly.

You could try JPG suggestion and hope the packing tape gets good adhesion. U Haul has a good adhesion packing tape we found when moving. Better than most. Avoid thicker tapes like duct tape. Do not over tension the belt.

Sanding Belts and Drums are items that are not good to stock up on for more distant future use.

You can get 6x48" belts from Harbor Freight at pretty low cost, I think about $15 for a pack of 5 belts. They aren't the greatest belts but they work. The tape may work. I have also seen a video on how to make your own belts from rolls of sandpaper and instructions for a glue joint. I kind of doubt that will work out on belts in the condition you describe.

The above post is SPAM. The poster added a hidden link in the quoted part of the post. Reported.

The post I am referring to has been removed by the moderator. Thank you for your work.

jsburger wrote: ↑Sat Sep 07, 2024 12:37 pm The above post is SPAM. The poster added a hidden link in the quoted part of the post. Reported.

Boom

jsburger wrote: ↑Sat Sep 07, 2024 12:37 pm The above post is SPAM. The poster added a hidden link in the quoted part of the post. Reported.

To be clear about this, the post above yours is now gone.

edma194 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2024 12:02 pm You can get 6x48" belts from Harbor Freight at pretty low cost, I think about $15 for a pack of 5 belts. They aren't the greatest belts but they work.

Question about price of belts verses quality.

Those HF belts are $3.oo each and I shop there often.
So, with free shipping from SS now their belts average $7.6_ to $8.00.

In your opinion are the ones from SS better all-around for the price?

They are probably worth the extra price.

I am not trying to Hijack the thread.
I just got a belt sander a couple weeks ago.

Hopefully this will add to the thread info.

GetterDone wrote: ↑Sat Sep 07, 2024 5:01 pm In your opinion are the ones from SS better all-around for the price?

I think so with current prices. I have used those Shopsmith belts and they last longer and cut better. They also clean well.

If you grind metal that could tear or rapidly wear out a section of the belt you might prefer to risk a cheaper Harbor Freight belt instead.

edma194 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 07, 2024 6:02 pm

GetterDone wrote: ↑Sat Sep 07, 2024 5:01 pm In your opinion are the ones from SS better all-around for the price?

I think so with current prices. I have used those Shopsmith belts and they last longer and cut better. They also clean well.

If you grind metal that could tear or rapidly wear out a section of the belt you might prefer to risk a cheaper Harbor Freight belt instead.

This is exactly what I need to hear.

I will get Caught from time to time sanding a piece of metal.

I try to be very conservative with sandpaper and let it do the work.

So, with that info, 1 HF set and a Few different grits from SS.

Thanks