Old Craftsman belt sander

[KMinAF]

On a recent run to Roseville CA I came across a Goodwill thrift store. I couldn't resist and went inside where I found a mind 70's vintage 4" Craftsman belt sander. I need to come up with a replacement wear pad, any suggestions? Due to it age the part number is no longer available.
I also came to realize crafts-people 40 years ago were a lot stronger and smarter than those of today. This thing ways a ton hence you had to have some muscle and there are no "wear safety goggles, don't use in the bath tub" stickers hence the manufacturers knew the people using it were smart enough they didn't have to be told the obvious!

 

[7th Kahuna]

My dad used to have one very similar to that one, unfortunately it was stolen or I'd go take a look at it. My best recollection is that the 'wear pad' was just a piece of thin spring steel with a shallow bend at the lead end. The bend allowed for the mounting screws to be located outside the path of the belt but also was a shallower angle than the underlying angle in the body. The result being that the 'wear pad' provided some resistance against the back side of the belt. As for where you find that piece of spring steel, I don't know. You must have some commercial materials suppliers in your area. At the end of the day, I doubt there was really anything special about it. Maybe you could use a piece of steel shim material? You should be able to buy it in small sheets and cut the piece you need. I don't remember there being any felt behind it, as you would have on a sheet sander.

As you may well know, Sears contracts for the manufacture of their tools. The first three digits of the model number identify the manufacturer and lists are available on line, including here on Garage Journal. My guess is the firm that made yours is today known as Ryobi (the result of a past merger). I don't know if that bit of information might aid you in your research.

One other side note, I would recommend opening that sander up and giving it a good going over, in part because it appears it was sitting somewhere damp and because after 40 years, the insulation on the wires and the grease on the gears both start to dry out and crack a bit.

Good Luck!

 

[Richard Cranium]

Yes and Yes on what 7th said, They did have a piece of metal that slide on the belt, My guess it was a black and decker, But if you do a little research, I am sure some one has posted it on the net. First 3 numbers before the dot. is the source code.

 

[mg283680]

I have a similar Craftsman sander and was able to get a wear pad from Sears. Even if Sears doesn't have the part, it may be available after some digging on the internet.
I'm a dinosaur and love these old corded tools that can be picked up for a few bucks. They'll still work long after I'm gone.

 

[cnc-me]

On a recent run to Roseville CA I came across a Goodwill thrift store. I couldn't resist and went inside where I found a mind 70's vintage 4" Craftsman belt sander. I need to come up with a replacement wear pad, any suggestions? Due to it age the part number is no longer available.
I also came to realize crafts-people 40 years ago were a lot stronger and smarter than those of today. This thing ways a ton hence you had to have some muscle and there are no "wear safety goggles, don't use in the bath tub" stickers hence the manufacturers knew the people using it were smart enough they didn't have to be told the obvious!

Used to have one just like that, was a pretty good unit.
It finally bit the dust and was replaced with a Makita.

 

[exmaxima1]

Used to have one just like that, was a pretty good unit.
It finally bit the dust and was replaced with a Makita.

It seems that many people start with a CM sander and then replace it with something much better. Like pretty much anything else. Once you use a decent sander like a Rockwell, Makita, or Bosch, you wonder why you didn't ditch the CM years sooner.

 

[7th Kahuna]

I was just cruising Craigslist and happened upon a very similar sander that also just happens to be missing the sanding belt. The image quality is pretty bad but at least you can see the angle of the wear pad. Thought I'd post it just in case you were looking.