Sears Craftsman Belt Sander issues

[pwschuh]

About 7 years ago I picked up a Sears Craftsman 4" belt sander with attached 6" disk sander, bolted to a small stand, for $20 at a garage sale. At the time it was probably 20 or 30 years old.

I have used it sporadically and everytime I turn it on, the belt walks off the guides about an inch and a half. If I turn it off, release the tension and reset the belt and turn it on, it immediately walks off the rollers an inch and a half again.

Can this be adjusted or fixed? My last sanding belt broke today and before I buy new belts and sanding disks, I'd like to know if this can be fixed.

 

[lilredex]

One roller has an adjustment to square it with the other. A screw usually moves it back and forward slightly. One roller is usually slightly crowned to help keeping the belt running straight also.

A picture would help narrow it down.

 

[pwschuh]

Yes, there is a knob adjuster on the far roller. Never played with it or knew what it was for, but when I turn it I see that it is adjusting the angle of that roller. I will order some new belts and play around with it. Thanks.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Sometimes the belt just will not track. A new one works fine.

 

[flyingdog]

I just picked up a similar one off of eBay.

Unboxed it Friday and realized it didn't come with a worktable or miter guage (the table aspect being the reason for the purchase).

Anyone have a resource to find this part (model # 113.226431, part #'s 819487 & 819490)?

Thanks!

 

[wayne55]

I do not have the sander you have, but on mine I adjust it with it running, carefully.

 

[tarbellb]

Set the knob to center by counting rotations. Then....

do a quick bump start to track belts, once its been dialed in with the adjustment knob (at the top wheel typically) its easy to fine tune with each new belt.