Harbor Freight cheep belt sander question (pic)

[ro22tol]

I purchased a cheep harbor freight belt sander for a few small projects around the house. I didn't have need for an expensive one, so this one meets my needs.

Question is: when I open the box there was a small bag with two of these (see pic) in it. I have no idea as to what these two spring like things are. There is no mention of them in the owners manual.

The belt sander is working well, other than it stopped putting the dust into the bag after about an hour of use...

 

[The Cobbler]

spare brushes. ( for the motor)

 

[James-W]

They are spare brushes for the motor.

 

[Lbcwanabe]

I didn't even know that was avaiable

 

[jakemac]

If it stops collecting dust in the bag, that can happen for several reasons.

First - Check to see if the bag is full. (I know that this is a "duh" answer, but you have to start somewhere)

Second - Is the dust chute/port clogged ?

Third - Is the dust fine enough that it has clogged the fibers of the bag ?

Generally, a good clean-out will solve the issue.
The collection bag works by letting the air from the rotation of the belt flow through the chute and into the bag. To keep that flow going, the air needs to go somewhere. That "where" is out through the fibers of the bag. If the cloth is clogged with dust, then the bag won't collect as much of the dust and it will come back out onto the work surface.

I'm surprised that it lasted an hour. My Porter Cable usually needs to be cleaned out in less time.

 

[ro22tol]

Figured out the no dust collection. A leaf was jammed into the fin area of the pulley that provides the air movement.

Thanks for the info on the bushing. The owners manual does talk about bushings, but no explanation of how to do it.

 

[lilredex]

Keep your eye on that driven drum (the free wheeling one) if you use the sander much. Most of those low end belt sanders have that drum rotating on brass bushings, and need to be re-greased occasionally, otherwise they wear out. It needs to be dismantled to do that.

Spare brushes......I have found that the item usually wears out long before you need brushes. Got a small collection somewhere.

 

[Alchymist]

First thing that's going to happen long before the bearings go is the cogged drive belt is gonna die. And a replacement is going to cost more than the sander. DAMHIK!