Shopsmith Forums

I bought a used Belt Sander from the 80s, which had an old power station. I have taken the sander apart and cleaned it twice now and cannot get it to hold the tension on the sanding belt. Aside from sending it in to be repaired, does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks, Dave

Do you have a manual? I've rebuilt a couple, the top roller needs to be turned to apply tension to the built. Spin the knob to the right (I think) until it gets tight. Latch it in place, then slip the belt onto the sander. When you release the lever on the knob, it should unwind, tightening the belt.

Start it up REALLY slow so you can adjust the tracking of the belt with the two horizontal knobs on each side.

Good luck!
Matt

Check out this video nick did a while back.

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... Tuneup.htm

it should help

thainglo wrote:Do you have a manual? I've rebuilt a couple, the top roller needs to be turned to apply tension to the built. Spin the knob to the right (I think) until it gets tight. Latch it in place, then slip the belt onto the sander. When you release the lever on the knob, it should unwind, tightening the belt.

Start it up REALLY slow so you can adjust the tracking of the belt with the two horizontal knobs on each side.

Good luck!
Matt

Yours has adjustment knobs on BOTH sides?

I think there is only one available from the outside. There is a second adjustment that Nick talks about in the above Sawdust session. but it is internal and set during assembly.

JPG40504 wrote:Yours has adjustment knobs on BOTH sides?

Nope. That is what happens when you're speaking from memory and said memory fails! Thanks for catching.

thainglo wrote:Nope. That is what happens when you're speaking from memory and said memory fails! Thanks for catching.

I understand that only too well!;)