Replies

1. 
   dgreen | May 29, 2007 03:46am | #1

   I have the same sander and have never had any tracking issues in four years. Are you using good belts and have you tried a different belt?

   ------------------------------------

   It would indeed be a tragedy if the history of the human race proved to be nothing more than the story of an ape playing with a box of matches on a petrol dump. ~David Ormsby Gore

2. 
   philip | May 29, 2007 03:53am | #2

   Ken , that usually happens when there is not enough tension on the belt. So either the belt is slightly over size (most likely) or there is something wrong with the tensioner-could be sticking or the spring is weak-not really likely on a new machine.
   If that sander was stored for a long time with the belt under tension it could have caused some stretch. Inferior belts are also susceptible to moisture changes-like wood.
   Try some other belts and make sure there is no oil etc on the rollers.

   Philip Marcou
1. 
   dukeone | May 29, 2007 04:48am | #3

   Don/Philip: Thanks for the quick replies. I'll change the belt tomorrow and see. I should have tried that anyway but I was just trying the new machine out for the first time and was not thinking (great excuse). It is the original belt that was on the machine in the box, it is probably stretched as you suggested and has some funky name like Perma-Wood.

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3. 
   JiminFla | May 30, 2007 11:19pm | #4

   Duke:

   I had a similar problem with my Porter Cable belt sander.  I kept changing the tracking adjustment and it didn't make any difference.  I used compressed air to blow out the track where the belt goes.  I took the belt out and put it back in, making sure it was installed properly.  I finally called Porter Cable and they asked if I was using their belts. I had bought a generic belt at Home Depot and that's what I had in the sander.  They sent me a few free belts and that solved the problem.  I guess the generic belt was off just enough to make it behave that way.  I've been buying PC belts ever since and never had the problem again.

   Jim

4. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | May 31, 2007 04:20pm | #5

   Morning Duke..

   One of the belt sanders I have is the Bosch 4 x 24 on the rare occasion I use them. The Bosch when I purchased it was known to have a hair trigger on the tracking knob. Just slight touch would run it too far and you have to come back and the same happens going the opposite direction. You have to mess with it for a few minutes till you have it centered.

   But... unlike what you decribed where it un-tracked after the fact... not one problem after you "homed it in" to center track... Interested what you find to be the problem and hopefully the cure?

   Regards...

   Sarge.. jt

1. 
   dukeone | May 31, 2007 05:30pm | #6

   Sarge: I have put on a new belt and that seemed to cure most of the problem. As you say the tracking knob is a bit "touchy" but I ran it upside down long enough to let it settle down. Part of the problem could be my technique; I've sooo much to learn. The pieces I'm working on are curved and I've been using a side to side motion. At least I was: that is not proper for a belt sander, is it? The new belt and working in a straighter line has just about eliminated the trouble. I'll keep an eye on it and report any further "wandering" of the belt.

   Thanks all for the help. DukeSupport the Troops, Support your Country

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1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | May 31, 2007 06:00pm | #7

   Morning Duke...

   Side to side is a self-explanatory for why you were having the problem that you figured out by tinkering. If it makes you feel better.. you can't radically shift a Caterpillar tractor or military tank "side to side" and expect it to track or not lose them for that matter either. :>)

   The good news is you common sensed your way to the finish line without getting "side-tracked"! ha.. ha...

   Regards...

   Sarge.. jt

1. 
   dukeone | Jun 01, 2007 04:58am | #8

   Sarge: Yes I guess it should have been obvious, I could also have read the booklet before but I tend to jump into new tools especially if the safety issues are minor as in a belt sander. Also I've worked my whole life with tools as an electrician mostly, some bit of time with HVAC so I do fairly well with anything mechanical/electrical. Never had any use for a belt sander before I took up WW.  What about the curve in the work piece; is that out of the question for belt sanders? It seems OK as long as I lift it and move it to the next section. You all at Knots have been great with answers to even the dumbest questions!

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1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Jun 01, 2007 06:52am | #9

   Evening Duke...

   Whatever it takes to keep the belt moving with the direction of the grain. May require some hand sanding if the curves are too narrow to keep complete control in. What you don't want to do is tip the sander on the side or drop and end of it over and edge with any significant weight on it or that "big boy 24" you got will either plow a divot (tipping) or round the edge over un-intentionally by over-shooting the end of the stock and not maintaining flat.

   Again... common sense will get you there. The majority of what little I know was mostly derived at by "trail an error" long before the introduction of rapid answers on the inter-net. You could probably build a fair size house with waste I have created from trail and error. ">)

   Regards...

   Sarge.. jt

2. 
   dukeone | Jun 01, 2007 01:18pm | #10

   Thanks Sarge, trial and error and error it is! DukeSupport the Troops, Support your Country

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