Shopsmith Forums

I'm wondering if (like with the Band Saw blade) the tension should be removed from the belt when not in use?

Brent

I don't think so. The release of band saw tension is to reduce the loss of the cant of the upper wheel. I don't think the structure is the same. There are pretty heavy springs tensioning the belt.

jimthej wrote:I don't think so. The release of band saw tension is to reduce the loss of the cant of the upper wheel. I don't think the structure is the same. There are pretty heavy springs tensioning the belt.

I concur!:)

Hi, Brent - As far as I know there is no need to remove a sanding belt after use. There is a coil spring that puts tension on the belt. I believe it would take a very long time for that coil spring to loose compression strength. If it ever does, which is doubtful, it is a very easy spring to replace.

Parts that wear out are the idler wheels. I wore one out in a couple of hours of inside sanding. In this mode the sanding grit passes over those wheels and in my case the lower wheel developed a dish in the outside surface.

charlese wrote:Hi, Brent - As far as I know there is no need to remove a sanding belt after use. There is a coil spring that puts tension on the belt. I believe it would take a very long time for that coil spring to loose compression strength. If it ever does, which is doubtful, it is a very easy spring to replace.

Parts that wear out are the idler wheels. I wore one out in a couple of hours of inside sanding. In this mode the sanding grit passes over those wheels and in my case the lower wheel developed a dish in the outside surface.

Hi Chuck, I really don't want to remove the belt, just release the roller tension. My thinking was to remove the tension on the belt so it wouldn't take a set.

Could you tell me what the idler wheels are? I just got this Belt Sander used and all I see is the drive roller and idler roller. I have ordered the upgraded 2 1/2" dust port as this machine has the 1 1/4" port.

Thanks, Brent

I can't imagine leaving the belt sander idlelong enough for the belt to take a set.

Brent - I am truly SORRY for my above post. I mis-read your question to be about the STRIP SANDER!:o I have now deleted that post!

Please forget about a coil spring and idler wheels. They don't exist on a BELT SANDER!

Anyway Don't worry about a set in the belt on a belt sander. If it should happen, it will work out quickly.

No problem Chuck. I thought I might've missed something with these old eyes.

Thanks guys for your responses. Not having to think about releasing the tension on the belts takes one more thing off my mind.

Brent

As I think about it again, to release tension on the belt, you must roll back the tension knob until the dog pops out. That means the spring(s) are under even more compression than just the belt produces. I would think it counterproductive.