Craftsman belt sander 315.22420

[Stillgottimefor1]

I can get one of these locally for about $35.00. It looks really good. Is this a high quality machine or should I just polish it up and consider it a display piece? The photo is from one on ebay .


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Stillgottimefor1]

Thanks for the reply. Amazon sells new drive belts. I really like this Porter-Cable made into a lamp.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[exmaxima1]

I can get one of these locally for about $35.00. It looks really good. Is this a high quality machine or should I just polish it up and consider it a display piece?

I like the idea of converting it to a lamp. As far as buying a belt sander, I wouldn't bother nowadays. The new random orbit sanders (especially the Bosch models) are as efficient as belt sanders yet are faster to change grits and weigh far less. I recently replaced my classic Porter-Cable 352vs, which is a far better sander than the one you are looking at, with a Bosch ROS. FWIW, I sold the P-C for $35 with a stack of belts.

 

[JHuston]

A belt driven belt sander is one thing, but there's not an electric random orbit sander made that's a match for a worm drive belt sander for stock removal. Whoever turned that Porter Cable A-3 into a lamp ought to be horse whipped.
Craftsman power tools, even back then, varied from surprisingly well built to utter junk, but that particular sander is one of their better offerings.
-James Huston

 

[Stillgottimefor1]

A belt driven belt sander is one thing, but there's not an electric random orbit sander made that's a match for a worm drive belt sander for stock removal. Whoever turned that Porter Cable A-3 into a lamp ought to be horse whipped.
Craftsman power tools, even back then, varied from surprisingly well built to utter junk, but that particular sander is one of their better offerings.
-James Huston

I also cringed when I saw that lamp!...but for all we know the side of it facing away is cratered in some way. As for the Craftsman 315. I found an earlier post thread saying that series was pretty good quality. Made around 1970?...I figured someone would be insulted with that lamp, just didn’t count on it being you, the Keeper of the Sacred Shrine of belt sanders!! Thanks for your time and insight.
I forgot to add that the same guy with the Craftsman 315 has a Cummins model 190 1/4”” drill, would it offend you if I made a lamp out of that? The aluminum case should polish up nice, just askin’

Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[JHuston]

I'm not usually against other vintage tools being displayed as the owner sees fit, especially the lighter duty brands, such as Cummins, PET, Fury, and the like , but the A-3 is an icon; It was produced for sixty-four years virtually unchanged, making it the longest running handheld power tool design ever.
If you have a need for a belt sander for heavy use, the Craftsman may not be your best choice, but for the occasional job, it's a perfectly adequate tool- and better than a big box store belt sander any day of the week.
-James Huston

 

[exmaxima1]

A belt driven belt sander is one thing, but there's not an electric random orbit sander made that's a match for a worm drive belt sander for stock removal

Bosch 1250DEVS will give any belt sander a whipping.

 

[JHuston]

Bosch 1250DEVS will give any belt sander a whipping.

The Bosch is one of the best random orbit sanders on the market, and is likely about as effective as the average belt driven belt sanders, but a worm drive sander compared to a belt driven sander is the difference between a dump truck and an S-10. For example, I have a T-4 belt sander that moves a 4"x 27" belt at 1650 feet per minute. That is simply beyond what an ROS can do in terms of stock removal. Granted, the belt sander is heavier and harder to use, but it's more effective for jobs like removing paint, cleaning reclaimed lumber, or stripping a floor.
Compared to a 352, yes. Compared to a worm drive sander,not so much. There's a world of difference between a belt sander that you can bog by pushing down and a belt sander you can literally sit on and ride across the room.
-James Huston

 

[tool_scrounge]

I can get one of these locally for about $35.00. It looks really good. Is this a high quality machine or should I just polish it up and consider it a display piece? The photo is from one on ebay .


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

I had one. Built like a tank. Just make sure it has grounded 3 prong cord on it.

 

[The Cobbler]

Bosch 1250DEVS will give any belt sander a whipping.

I bet not with 36 grit on it scribing a counter top to a wall

 

[Stillgottimefor1]

Have a nice day

 

[RTM]

I just got one of these from my buddy. I have not powered it up yet, still had wispy sawdust in the chamber above the back roller. I did find a manual on line for it at Vintage Machinery. Once I get stuff cleaned up a bit more, will see how it runs, and if the bearings scream just like my dad's old Craftsman sander. Think I am better prepared now than 50 years ago to deal with that kind of issue. It should replace my plastic Makita, which hasn't been used in close to 10 years.

Sears | Craftsman - Publication Reprints - 315.22420 Craftsman 3" belt sander | VintageMachinery.org

 

[Farragutian]

My dad gave me his before h

I can get one of these locally for about $35.00. It looks really good. Is this a high quality machine or should I just polish it up and consider it a display piece? The photo is from one on ebay passed

I can get one of these locally for about $35.00. It looks really good. Is this a high quality machine or should I just polish it up and consider it a display piece? The photo is from one on ebay .


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

My dad gave me his before he passed in 1994. He used it extensively as I had for the past 29 years. To my dismay it died last week while I was building a deck. I was bummed. My wife bought a display case for me so I could think of him everytime I am in the garage (all the time!). This thing was a beast for over 50 years! No way the **** out there now would last that long!

 

[XSBiker]

Old thread I hope its still active. I have this same Craftsman belt sander, it was my dads I received about 15 years ago. In good shape but no switch. Went all through it and every things still in excellent shape. Just switch is missing. I know they discontinued this switch. The number off the diagram is #2-616276-01. I did find a switch #616276-002 in a ''Sears Genuine Parts'' bag, fits just has a red button. No marking on the switch and not sure how to wire it up. From pics I've seen, It looks like the 2 cord wires go on the bottom 2 connection of the switch, and the 2 motor wires go on the 2 top switch connections. Being its not an original switch number, maybe a different run of switches made with a red button, and with a slightly different number, I'm not sure on the wiring. Any help would be great.

 

[RTM]

No marking on the switch and not sure how to wire it up. From pics I've seen, It looks like the 2 cord wires go on the bottom 2 connection of the switch, and the 2 motor wires go on the 2 top switch connections.

Take an electric continuity meter, and see which pair of contacts pass power when the switch is closed. I would put one color of wire on one pair of connected terminals.

 

[XSBiker]

Take an electric continuity meter, and see which pair of contacts pass power when the switch is closed. I would put one color of wire on one pair of connected terminals.

Thanks for the quick reply.
I have thought about doing a continuity test. I have several meters. I do work with a lot of RC stuff. Brushed and brushless motors, batteries and stuff. But this is 110 volts. A different animal altogether. Not sure if the 4 connectors are paired up 2 at the top, or paired one on each side. If you get what I mean. If this replacement switch is wired the same as the original switch. I've seen in several pics of this sander being taken apart, The 2 cored wires are in the 2 bottom connections of the switch. Leaving the 2 top connections being the motor wires. Depending on which way, to run in the right direction.
With all the RC stuff I have. Motors, battery packs and wiring. I have thought about wiring this switch up with a small motor and battery pack and play with that wiring. Will still have 2 motor wires and 2 battery wires.

 

[Old tool guy]

. I have several meters. I do work with a lot of RC stuff. Brushed and brushless motors, batteries and stuff. But this is 110 volts. A different animal altogether.

Volts is volts. Just don’t test for juice with your tongue.

 

[XSBiker]

Volts is volts. Just don’t test for juice with your tongue.

I wouldnt do that and I wouldn't recommend you do it either. But with some folks you never know.

 

[RTM]

Not sure if the 4 connectors are paired up 2 at the top, or paired one on each side. If you get what I mean. If this replacement switch is wired the same as the original switch

Most are paired with a set on one side, terminals on the end. Usually so the actual switch seems like it's closing on the pivot. I'm your case, the black n white wires are on the inlet side of the switch, yellow and purple on the outlet.

 

[XSBiker]

Most are paired with a set on one side, terminals on the end. Usually so the actual switch seems like it's closing on the pivot. I'm your case, the black n white wires are on the inlet side of the switch, yellow and purple on the outlet.

Looking back at a restoration on Youtube of this sander some one was doing. Like I mentioned, the 2 corded inlet wires are on the bottom of the switch. During disassembly, He pulled out the switch and cut the 2 top wires close to the switch going to the armature. Removing the cord and switch together. During assembly, he just soldiered the 2 armature wires back to the 2 top terminals. Just hoping this switch is wired the same as the stock part. I would think it would be.

 

[Old tool guy]

I wouldnt do that and I wouldn't recommend you do it either.

I didn’t recommend that. Did you misread?

 

[XSBiker]

'' This thing was a beast for over 50 years! No way the **** out there now will last that long.''

Installed switch, everything works fine. Thanks for all the help. You are right they work very well. The way they're designed they will take a beating and still hold up. If you aren't careful you can ruin something. My dad bought this Sander around 1970, along with this Rockwell Porta - Plane. I used them on and off over the years. I also went through the Planer and it is still in great shape. I havent used it in a while and tested it today. It has high rpm and still does a great job.