Help on Craftsman 103.08011 belt sander

[jeffberk]

I'm trying to figure out if the sand paper belt goes from left to right or right to left on the attached picture. Note that the picture is not my unit because I'm too lazy to go out to the garage.
Also, I noticed that both the side facing you on this photograph and the far side have fittings for a sanding disk table. Was the intent to provide a second sanding disk on the other end of the shaft and switch the table to one side or another?
The one I purchased a couple of days ago appears to be mostly intact. I just needed to install a new cord, add some oil reservoir caps, and locking pins if I want to stand the belt vertically.

 

[Cruzan80]

Sander moves from right to left. Is that the 6x48 or 3x36"? The 6x48 has a slot for the table in the back, but not usually the far side. There is a slot for a fence.

 

[jeffberk]

It is actually a 4x36".

If it should go from right to left in my original post (or in the attached photo of my unit, towards the camera), then I must have the motor backwards because as is, the sand paper moves away from the camera which seemed odd. Unfortunately, switching the motor around will put the power switch between the motor and the sander the way they are mounted to the table.

The second photo shows the mounting point on the far side that looks identical to the one on the other side for the disk sander table. I might try and install a second disk with a fine grid and mounting shaft here and switch the sander table when needed. There is a Craftsman lathe with an 8-inch sanding disk attachment that looks like it might work; however its got a threaded center hole so I'd have to modify that. Several e-bay sellers have that part available.

I need to fabricate a belt table fence. Does anyone have a good picture of it? The manual shows it as being part 592-3 ($0.50). Too bad its NLA. I'm assuming it plugs into the small hole.

 

[11b30b4]

Jeffberk, here is the Owner’s Manual for that sander:

Sears | Craftsman - Publication Reprints - 103.08011 Craftsman/Companion/Dunlap Belt/Disk Sander Manual (w/tags) | VintageMachinery.org

Although, this manual does not have the typical exploded view of the machine. On my later built 6” sander the motor pulley sits between the belt and the disc sander. The belt is attached and removed on the non-pulley/ disc side since it is not obstructed. The left side in this pic.

Also, I noticed that based on the pic you posted, the belt direction is backwards. If you stand up the belt and attach the table, the belt should be traveling down (towards the table) to hold items on the table rather than lifting them off it. Your motor is a dual shaft motor and is probably reversable.

However, if you rotate the motor 180 degrees and keep the pully on the shaft where it is now. then move the sander pulley to the opposite side and place it between the belt and disc, you should get the proper rotation on the belt.

 

[jeffberk]

Thanks 11b30b4...
I'm beginning to see how versatile this sander is. I'm in the process of remounting it on a different base so the motor is not blocking the installation of the sanding table when in the vertical position as shown in your photograph. I'm also planning on cutting an 8-inch disc for a second sanding disk.
Was your stand off an old drill press?