6x48 tracking problem

[DanG]

I have an older Rockwell Delta combination 6x48 / 12" sanding machine. It has always been a bit touchy on the belt tracking, but seems to be getting worse. I added a wrap or two of wide metal on the top roller to give it a bit of barrel shape, I can't say that it has helped. Bearings and other adjustments seem tight and right. Any other ideas?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DanG A live Singing Valentine quartet, a sophisticated and elegant way to say I LOVE YOU! [e-mail] (local)

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[Seeker]

If your sander is as old as I suspect (Rockwell) my first suspicion would be worn rollers/brgs but if you have used the sander seldomly that may not be the culprit. Another very possible cause is using cheaper quality sanding belts try a high quality belt made by Klingspor, Delta etc. I just bought a new Powermatic 31A and it is very finiciky the best way I came up with was to get it in rough alignment by turning the belt by hand then using the motor for fine adjustments and BTW it only takes very small adjustments to move the belt.

[DanG]

Thank you for the input. Belts are Norton Blue NorZon Zirconia belts. I don't think that quality is the issue. There is no detectable movement at any bearing. How tight do you run your belts?

[Rick]

Don't discount the possibility that the Norton belts are the problem. I had a bunch of Norton belts that I bought on Ebay and they refused to track worth a damn on my old Rockwell 6 X 48 sander. I tried crowning the top roller with a few rounds of tape. I replaced all the bearings in the unit when I bought it . . . never occured to me that the Norton belts might be a problem until I replaced one with another brand and the machine works perfectly.

Rick

[DanG]

Appreciate the reply. I will definitely try an alternate brand. I use Sait on smaller belt sanders, and I think my supplier would have 6x48 available.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DanG A live Singing Valentine quartet, a sophisticated and elegant way to say I LOVE YOU! [e-mail] (local)

(national)

[Seeker]

Generally tight enough to provide traction if slippage occurs tighten more. That is another possibility for tracking problems a belt that's to tight! Over tightening will cause the end of the floating roller to flex out of alignment and any amount of tracking correction will add to the problem because in adjusting the tracking you are actually stretching the belt tighter.