Quality Lasts

Re: Quality Lasts

Lee Schierer in McKean, PA

I've had the same problem. I solved it on my Porter Cable belt sander by placing a 0.040" shim that prevents the belt tension spring from applying full pressure. The reduced tension doesn't break the belts yet they still sand the surface I'm working on.

Lee

Re: Quality Lasts

J Barrett Irby Jr

I know I will not be buying any belts from the local supplier that sold me the last batch. I am not sure that decreasing the pressure would make them serviceable. They don't last a second as they are. OTOH I have some ancient belts that must be fifty years old from the days they had lap joins and they will still run. I buy a few at a time now.

Re: Quality Lasts - Storage conditions?

Henry (Raleigh NC)

I believe I have written this previously here on WC, but I have a similar account.

I bought a few belts for my 6x48 stationary belt sander from my local reputable abrasive supplier, and stored the extras (other grits) in my shop; this was not climate controlled (NC 'winters' and summers). Sometime later, I tried to use a new belt with predictable results - all broke at the joint.

I bought a bunch more (not having learned my lesson), but from a different supplier recommended here on WC years ago. These were stored in my basement: climate controlled, cooler than the rest of the house, and definitely less humid than outdoors. These belts have lasted far more than 10 years in storage, and have performed without fail anytime I have installed a new one.

Consider how you store extras. Maybe supplier made the difference, or maybe not: I am not willing to test the hypothesis. I simply store mine inside and it works for me.

Henry

Henry

Stored

Mark Mandell - Gone Round In New Jersey

In my temp (room) and humid 40-50rh) controlled shop.

Re: Stored

Barry Irby

Mine that failed were stored in my climate controlled shop annex. The same conditions I live in. The ancient ones that are still good are stored in my semi-climate controlled shop.

Anyone every try to reglue one of these?

jergle

I've had the same problem. Haven't ever taken the time to try it, but there ought to be some kind of glue that would put one of these "brand new" belts back together.

Re: Anyone every try to reglue one of these?

Barry Irby

I did some research on gluing them, Including taking them back to the company that made them and never found any way to do it that would work.

There was

Mark Mandell - Gone Round In New Jersey

a post/u-tube somewhere showing using sewing bias tape and CA glue. I tried it.

Lasted about 3 times as long (90 sec) before it broke again.

Re: Anyone every try to reglue one of these?

John in NM

From what I've read it's pretty much a no go. I forget now why I was even looking into it - some similar kind of problem at work I think.

The tape is not only special, it's heat and pressure activated. Outfits like 3M make better belts because they really put the time and effort into designing the right adhesive and application method to get a really good bond. Done on the cheap you get the results of corner cutting and it tends to show.

The info is out there if you want to dig into it though - I only took a very quick look and moved on to other things (that is what makes me think it was a work related search).