Shopsmith Forums

For anyone interested, I found a link for ordering a 1 " wide, 42" long leather belt for the strip sander below. Another location is from Dick Belcher, Belcher Wood Carving Supply.

http://woodworker.com/1x30-leather-honi ... 32-336.asp
http://belchercarvingsupply.tripod.com/

Happened to find this source also for the leather belt.

http://www.woodworkingshop.com/cgi-bin/C3E0F3A7/mac/additmdtl.mac/showItemDetail?item=WP42000&qtyA=0&phsO=N&desc=1%22%20X%2042%22%20LEATHER%20BELT&drpshp=N&alOrd=Y&iQty=.000&oQty=.000&initQty=1&assortParent=N&itemForSale=Y&styleName=&fixD=&face=.00&gftc=&stck=Y&prefS=&calledFrom=DS&ordInfo1=&ordInfo2=&ordInfo3=&ordMan1=N&ordMan2=N&ordMan3=N&persCode=&persReqd=&persLink=%20&shipRemaining=0&daysBetween=0&daysBetweenFix=0&monthsBetween=0

Klingspor and Lee Valley as well. I'm lousy at linking-sorry. MT(I have a bunch of Scotchbrite belts for the strip sander-can't recall the source on those-unbeatable for detailing and "easing")

I only own one leather belt. Got it from Lee Valley. Sorry, can't report on use, as it is still hanging on a peg, awaiting the knife guide that grandson said he was going to make for me.

charlese wrote:I only own one leather belt. Got it from Lee Valley. Sorry, can't report on use, as it is still hanging on a peg, awaiting the knife guide that grandson said he was going to make for me.

So...you use suspenders, Chuck?:D

a1gutterman wrote:So...you use suspenders, Chuck?:D

He, He!;) Some days, Wish I had my old braces, but LOML won't let me get a new set!

Back on subject - Another source for a Strip Sander belt is from a local shoemaker/repair shop. Found it would be about the same price.

Before any of you bother dick Belcher for lether strop belts for
the SS strip sander, here is an update from DICK:

No, we do not carry a leather strop belt for the Shopsmith strip sander.
Sorry. We used to use belts on the 1 x 42 sanders as a polishing step.
The belts were $20 each and we had to have them custom made and
order 12 at a time in order to get them. With compound the belt would
stretch 2 - 3 inches over about 8 months. We have since found that
a bench grinder with the motor reversed and two cloth wheels, one
hard 1" wide, 6" diameter and an 8" x 1" wide loose floppy cloth,
take care of steps 2 and 3 of sharpening which replaces the leather
belt and gives you an edge much, much sharper than we ever
received from the leather belt.

http://belchercarvingsupply.com/contact.html

Since 2009 (when I posted above) I have used my one and only belt many - many times. Yes it has compound rubbed into both sides. It has stretched a little, but I've never measured it.

I think the secret is to remove the belt from the machine after every use.
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