Belt sander slipping

Charlie M

Well-known Member
I have a 3 inch belt sander that is having problems running the belt. After taking it apart I found the drive drum is rubber with a steel tube inside it attached to a gear and there is not enough friction between the rubber drum and steel tube. Not a good design in my opinion. Parts are no longer available. Is it possible to do something either with the steel rod or the rubber drum to get better traction? Sander runs well so if I can fix this problem should work for a while. I've got nothing to loose by trying something.
 
What brand? If the drive shaft through the drum is somewhat standard you may be able to find something off a different machine, especially if the drive belt gear is common. Give us a picture, and we'll all go searching our junk piles. I have junk parts from Craftsman, and Porter Cable that might be made to fit. steve
 
Contact cement will stop part way on, unless you can put it on inside out and unroll it down the length. Unlikely. use 24 hour epoxy. Clean the roller and rubber with alcohol (not lacquer thinner). Mix a batch (use rubber gloves) and use a small stick (like a chopstick) to spread it on the inside of the rubber. Slide it on to position, and wait a day! It will be messy, but it will work. Jim
 
Is the steel rod the axle for the rubber drum?

Most of the time when a sander slips it's the tensioner for the belt. Usually clean that and use some dry lubricant is enough.

What make and model is it anyway?
 
Thanks everybody for the replies. Its a Craftsman sander maybe around early 90's model. I don't think I will try any used parts as I suspect they will either already have the same problem or will develop the same problem soon. I was thinking maybe JB weld and after seeing the reply about fan belt dressing I'm thinking about the belt dressing I have for flat belts used on older machinery. If it works great if not I have no problem junking the sander and buying something better.
 
Ineed a gear for a craftsman 4 inch belt sander,,its a brass type gear,the teeth are wore on it,,I Will show it in picture later,,,I would buy it from you if you might have it
 
I would try rubber cement first.
Second attempt gorilla glue.
Scuff up the steel drum with sandpaper first.
 
The belt dressing just lubed up the shaft so I cleaned it out and tried gorilla glue - looks like that is the answer.
 

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