Beltsander belt tracking

[tryinhard]

I found that when I installed the beltsander work table so that is was parallel to the belt, the work table could not be made perpendicular to the backup plate over the entire length of the work table. If I adjusted the work table to be at right angle to the backup plate at the end closest to the bottom of the sander, then the work table would not be perpendicular to the backup plate at the end of the table nearest the top of the sander. I could not edge sand a piece and get a right angle along the full length of the piece.

There was nothing in the owners manual that addressed this problem. My solution was to shim the backup plate, which resulted in much better sanding results. The problem I have now is that the belts do not want to track well. Even after crowning, I am constantly adjusting the tracking because the belt is constantly, slowly wandering from side to side. I assume the problem is due to the shimming of the plate.

Can anyone relate anything similar and give some suggestions?

Thanks, Mike

[jcmbs]

I'm having similiar problems with tracking as the new belts SS sent are longer and shorter (three belt pack) then the previous causing needed adjustments with the idler pulley. However, they wither pop the tension knob and the 60 grit was so tight on the machine after placement I had to cut it off. Frustrating, I pu the old belts back and adjusted back to the predebacle with the new belts and it worked without problem. Did you try and loosen the side bolts that hold the frame together through the way tubes and re-square the table then retighten. I found that the frame to be out of square and that worked for me.

[dusty]

I'm having similiar problems with tracking as the new belts SS sent are longer and shorter (three belt pack) then the previous causing needed adjustments with the idler pulley. However, they wither pop the tension knob and the 60 grit was so tight on the machine after placement I had to cut it off. Frustrating, I pu the old belts back and adjusted back to the predebacle with the new belts and it worked without problem. Did you try and loosen the side bolts that hold the frame together through the way tubes and re-square the table then retighten. I found that the frame to be out of square and that worked for me.

I do hope that you have had a discussion with Customer Service about this problem. It sounds as though the new belts may not all meet the same specification for belt length.

I don't know what the acceptance specifications are but if there is a plus and minus tolerance (and there must be), one belt could be in spec at one end and the next belt in spec at the other end but the two might not track the same.

There is a Sawdust Session that covers "Belt Sander Tuneup" that might be worthwhile watching.

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Archives/SS112/SS112_Belt_Sander_Tuneup.htm

[dusty]

Is there an new supplier for belt sander belts?

Does anyone have both old and new belts that could be directly compared - both for size and markings?

[doug45601]

I buy my belts at Sears and have yet to have a problem! Go Figure!

[wa2crk]

I bought some belts at Lowes and some at Woodcraft and have had no problems. I rebuilt a sander for a friend about a year ago and I can tell you that re-assembly is tricky to say the least. The adjusting bolts that raise and lower the top belt drum have to be installed at very near to the same length or else the drum will be cocked and the belt will only tension correctly at one edge of the drum. This results in one edge of the belt being tensioned correctly and the other edge being too loose. This will cause bad tracking that you describe.
Sounds like a tear down, inspection and correct re-assembly is in order.
Another condition that can cause unstable tracking is bad bearings.
Bill

[wa2crk]

Further thoughts.
From the problem that you describe about having to shim the platten to get a square edge it sounds that the whole assembly has been twisted due being dropped or some other rough handling. You seem to have corrected one out of square problem by introducing another out of square situation but you adjusted opposite to the original problem. Kind of like the old "Kentucky Windage" fix.
Anyway it still sounds like a good tune up is in order.
Bill

[cincinnati]

We have a woodworking store here in town that sells a brand of belt that tracks very well on the Shopsmith sander. If I think about it I will look at the brand name.
The store is called Hardwood Lumber and more (.com)
If any of you guys know Steve, the forum host over on WOOD magazine finishing forum. It is the store he owns.