? with pictures, Belt Sander

Allison, is there abrasive on the other side of that patch, or is it bare? Is that where it is breaking consistently?

-- North Texas

That , My Favorite Buddy, is nasty looking. Like TomK asked, ” is it coming apart at the seams?” I don’t use one of these, but I would guess that the pitch build-up on the wheels could tear apart a cheaper belt. The wheels are plastic and should be cleaned with caution. Lots of cleaners can eat the plastic away. The cheaper belts could cause more heat on your wheels making the pitch stick better. Greener wood can do the same thing.

I just noticed the 3M on the belt. It might be one of the better ones around. You “intursia” people are a different breed with different tools. The reason for the lack of replies …. we just don’t know.

-- Odie, Confucius say, "He who laughs at one's self is BUTT of joke".

Allison,

I have a basement workshop and over the summer it can be a little humid down there. I found that my sanding belts did the same thing after about a year. I attributed it to the dampness.

Lew

Allison, like the other replies, I don’t know for sure. But sanding belts get old and brittle, which is what I think the problem is. I store my sanding belts in sealed plastic bags to keep them from drying out or getting too much moisture. I do know that you can’t re-glue them, I’ve tried.
As for getting the scuz off, if spit works I would just use a damp cloth and elbow grease.

-- If we learn from our mistakes, I'm getting a fantastic education.

hey allison, i like to use simple green to clean up my tools, it’s nontoxic, it will not eat away at plastic, and it drys fast.

-- Roper - master of sawdust-

Thanks everybody, As usual I can depend on you all for advice and I thank you!
PEACE!!!

-- Allison, Northeastern Ca. Remember, Amateurs built the Ark. Professionals built the Titanic!

I’m with Lew on this one. Sanding belts is one item I’ve learned not to get too many of at once. Might be different if I lived in the dry southwest, but they get arthritis in their joints from the humidity.

-- Use the fence Luke

Alison, I would try to get that pully wheel off & as Odie says the plastic needs to be cleaned with caution. I would try a scraper first & some steel wool & soapy water. You could try a tiny amount of paint stripper on an insignificant part of the wheel, if it does no damage it might remove the glue. Otherwise the www has usually got some answers.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python