Question: How to change a 2x42" sanding belt on a Craftsman 351.22638

tyandhope · Jan 15, 2021

Hello, my sanding belt broke. Ordered new belts. Cannot figure out how to reinstall a new belt. Every way I try the belt seems way too short. But it is the exact length as the broken one. 2x42" I hope someone can attach a photo showing how to do it for a Sears Craftsman sander/grinder 1 HP 351.22638 code P9505.
Thank you,
Ty

FrankLee · Jan 15, 2021

Welcome Ty.

I had that same sander for a short time and had the same(?) problem.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8765364&highlight=351.22638

Obviously, with these belts, 42" is just an estimate. The problem I had is that, when installed, the new (shorter) 42" belt scraped the notch in the table.

The top idler pulley is on a spring-tensioned cam. With the shorter belt installed, the cammed pulley protrudes farther forward, which causes the belt to scrape the table. Notice the position of the tension lever handle changed from 2 o'clock to 4 o'clock. There is no fore/aft adjustment for the table; only a tilt adjustment. I believe the only solution is to sand that notch deeper.
Those are very nice sanders. Had I kept the sander, that was my plan.

Here's another thread regarding the sander:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=322329

tyandhope · Jan 15, 2021

Hello Mr. Lee, Thank you for your report. I need to see a view of the installed sand belt behind the cover. My new pack of ten sand belts are the exact length as the broken one. But I cannot find a way to install the belt without sanding side hitting the inside of the case or the two cover mounting bars. The belt seems 4" short - but old and new are the same exact length side by side.

FrankLee · Jan 16, 2021

tyandhope said:
Hello Mr. Lee, Thank you for your report. I need to see a view of the installed sand belt behind the cover. My new pack of ten sand belts are the exact length as the broken one. But I cannot find a way to install the belt without sanding side hitting the inside of the case or the two cover mounting bars. The belt seems 4" short - but old and new are the same exact length side by side.

I guess I'm misunderstanding your problem. Maybe this picture will help. If not, please post a picture of your issue.

toolin' around · Jan 16, 2021

Question: How to change a 2x42" sanding belt on a Craftsman 351.22638

With bit of research and the top roller appears to use a simple offset shaft as an tensioning cam...

I’m not sure I understand the comment about the belt being too short, but if it’s rubbing on the frame or the table slot, try tensioning it in the opposite direction... if you tension one way, it looks like it would push the top of the belt out towards you... if you go back to fully slack and tension the other direction, it should move the top of the belt back rather than forward?

I am just going from the very rough parts diagram, so I may be way off, but it just seems illogical that the belts won’t fit if they are the correct length... and 42” is a standard size.

Provincial · Jan 16, 2021

"Release the tension on the belt by pulling the tension handle forward (towards operator)"

tyandhope · Jan 16, 2021

Thank you Mr. Lee, and here is an entry for your "Stupidity Book". With the cover off in front of me, I've been trying to install the new belt completely inside the case!
Stinson

toolin' around · Jan 16, 2021

OK... that goes close to qualifying... but don’t feel bad... we all have those moments from time to time!!!

Now I understand why you said the new belt seems 4” too short!

Glad you got if figured out. Now go grind something!

tyandhope · Jan 16, 2021

Thank you to all of you. You were a great help and now all is well and working has begun. Stinson

tool_scrounge · Jan 16, 2021

tyandhope said:
Thank you Mr. Lee, and here is an entry for your "Stupidity Book". With the cover off in front of me, I've been trying to install the new belt completely inside the case!
Stinson

Ok, that did make me laugh. But we all have been there at one time or another.

toolin' around · Jan 16, 2021

...and I note that you only just joined GJ yesterday to ask that question... glad you got lots of constructive advice, and hope to see you around GJ more, now that you’ve found a million years of collective knowledge in one convenient place!!!

Question: How to change a 2x42" sanding belt on a Craftsman 351.22638

tyandhope

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FrankLee

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tyandhope

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FrankLee

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toolin' around

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Provincial

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tyandhope

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toolin' around

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tyandhope

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tool_scrounge

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toolin' around

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