[TimPa]

owners manual???

 

[CedarPost]

owners manual???

I don't have one. I'll look online — any good sites that have vintage tool manuals? I got it from my dad, who got it from my great uncle, etc. It might be as old as from the 40s or 50s

 

[TimPa]

if you post your model number, other may have one, or likely will help you look...

 

[Bob Bengal]

Any opinions about how hard I can press on the belt in the space between the roller and platen?

Personally I would stop doing that, at least stop it until you get your breakage under control.

I wonder if the platen needs polishing? Looks like a source of friction.

Not a belt issue, but look at the amount of drilling done to balance the sanding disc lol.

 

[Dave McCann]

Do NOT tighten the spring, loosen it to reduce the tension!

Reduce the tension by turning the knob CCW.

I believe you are incorrect.

Compressing the spring removes all tension from the belt, allowing one to remove and replace belts.

Loosening the knob (CCW assuming right hand threads) allows the spring to expand, pushing the carriage farther away from the drive roller. Turning the knob counter-clockwise will increase the tension on the belt.

 

[JamesTinKS]

I don't have one. I'll look online — any good sites that have vintage tool manuals? I got it from my dad, who got it from my great uncle, etc. It might be as old as from the 40s or 50s

manualslib.com is a great site for owners manuals.
Old Woodworking Machines - Index page (owwm.org)
VintageMachinery.org | Welcome
are also good sites

 

[B Coll]

The handle you reference is the tension, the knob on the other side is for tracking.

You tension the belt, then adjust the tracking.

I had a bunch of old belts that all came apart when I tried to use them. It might be the belts...

Same here. Just to prove the point I broke every belt in the box before breaking down and ordering new ones.

 

[Biotec]

good day all:
the picture shows a model a sears 102.08706 i found 102.08700 similar belt disk sander 4" belt/10" disk
i would do a complete clean up and completely maintenance the machine every roller idler wheel should spin freely.
you may need to replace some bearings or clean and lube them. the sanding platen should be shiny and smooth.
friction will heat up the belt and cause premature belt failure or belt tension to tight.

a previous post did label all points. if undo the tension knob it should slide back and forth easily. idler wheel assembly.

good luck