Rockwell 1 inch belt sander

[powerpuff]

Recently i purchased a Rockwell 31-325 1 inch belt sander at the local re store, this machine works but is so noisy. so i replaced the bearings thinking that was the problem.... it has a gear box at one end when removed its quieter but not a lot. Did i miss a bearing?

 

[exmaxima1]

Did you replace the motor bearings and those in the wheels? Also, does the lower drive wheel still have the urethane rubber coating? When the coating cracks and slings off, the diameter is smaller so the belt gets dragged across the platen which is really noisy.

 

[powerpuff]

I replaced the Bearings in the motor only. When i first turned it on i sounded like it needed bearings so they they have been replaced but the motor has not been reinstalled, i am testing it right now and its noisy louder with the gear box attached thats why i wonder if has a 3rd bearing in the gears. the scematics on line are terrible.

 

[exmaxima1]

Is that a brush motor with a gearbox? If so it will always be noisy. My Delta 1x42 uses a standard motor with a belt to the drive wheel. Posting pics would be very helpful.

 

[powerpuff]

yes it is. sounds like a garbage disposal full of marbles.

 

[exmaxima1]

Curious---how much did you pay for the sander?

 

[powerpuff]

$20

 

[IndyGarage]

The noise is probably a combination of all those plastic guards and probably a cheap motor - That doesn't look like something substantial enough for a rockwell. For $20 I'd probably just put up with the noise.

 

[exmaxima1]

The noise is probably a combination of all those plastic guards and probably a cheap motor - That doesn't look like something substantial enough for a rockwell. For $20 I'd probably just put up with the noise.

Agreed. I would ditch the guards as they get in the way. If it has a central bearing w/arbor it wouldn't be too difficult to install a belt drive with conventional motor mounted in the back

 

[csp]

Any of that Rockwell stuff from the 80s/90s with yellow is of pretty sketchy quality. I had one of the tablesaws and it was a complete pile of junk. My dad had an early 70s Rockwell consumer grade tablesaw and it was quite the beast in comparison.

 

[tarbellb]

Stamped steel and plastic= rated for light duty wood sanding only (at best)

 

[tlow]

I recently purchased one of these for cheap and was wondering if there was anyway to make it quieter? Or is it better to just purchase something else? I am looking for a 1x42 sander to refinish some golf clubs, the sander needs to have a 1700rpm motor..

 

[Steve_P]

I recently purchased one of these for cheap and was wondering if there was anyway to make it quieter? Or is it better to just purchase something else? I am looking for a 1x42 sander to refinish some golf clubs, the sander needs to have a 1700rpm motor..

If you want quality, look at Kalamazoo. Quality, and USA made, comes at a price. I think the one I have uses a 3450 RPM motor, but the pulleys are sized for proper belt speed.

I'm not familiar with this Rockwell, but it appears to be constructed from thin sheet metal with crappy plastic guards- looks substantially worse than my Delta. And thin sheet metal loves to vibrate. It could also partially be the bearings in the pulleys- I know I've replaced the ones in my Delta before. You can remove the belt and start spinning things to see if there's any other issue.

 

[yhprum]

I have an old electric motor that has a bushing at one end instead of a bearing. It was quite rattly when running. When I filled the bushing reservoir with some three in one oil, it quieted right down.
Also depending how old and stiff the drive belt is, it might be a factor.