Thread: makita 9404 belt sander tracking problem

do you mean this one?

Welcome cen.
This is a great forum. I hope we can help you with this little conundrum.
If you haven't done this already, take off the sanding belt and check the condition of the two pads that should be under the belt and between it and the metal base of the body.
You should find a cloth backed mica sheet sitting on a cork backing pad.
If these are damaged or missing, then the friction buildup between the belt and the sander base will cause you grief.
Since yours is a used model there may be some damage here.
Good luck.
SG

Originally Posted by martrix

do you mean this one?
http://www.justtools.com.au/images/9924db.jpg

I had one of those. Did heaps of work before it blew.

The 9404 is a bit different. I'd just get in there with a screwdriver and see what's wrong with the tracking screw. You may be able to fix it if there's something jamming it up, or you may be able to order a new part if something is buggered.

It says that it has an auto tracking system, but there's still a knob there. There's a parts breakdown in pdf form on their website here.

Originally Posted by pawnhead

I had one of those. Did heaps of work before it blew.

The 9404 is a bit different. I'd just get in there with a screwdriver and see what's wrong with the tracking screw. You may be able to fix it if there's something jamming it up, or you may be able to order a new part if something is buggered.

It says that it has an auto tracking system, but there's still a knob there. There's a parts breakdown in pdf form on their website here.

Is the 9404 the one with the black knob at the front rather than the moulded plastic handle as pictured above?

Where to start- firstly tahnks all for the quick response, great!

The model is the auto tracking with the tracking knob!!!
The plate underneath is worn in part so will replace that as suggested.
We will also be taking it apart a little to check the rollers etc and again will maybe order new parts - they pdf is very helpfull.

I will keep you posted, heres hoping its just the cork/rubber mats etc.

Thanks for the warm welcome.
cen

heres apicture of my new/old beast.

unfortunately not!!!

Took the sander apart and low and behold it had been dropped.
some of the alu bits inside were very bent and so were causing the belt to wander. We reshaped and now its good as new.

First time ive bought a second hand tool off ebay. maybe the last.
a cautionary tale!!
again many thanks to all.

It sounds like you did well, depending on what you paid.

I got my Makita belt sander from Crime Converters for $10 because it was spluttering. After revving it up, I could tell that it was simply worn brushes, so I snapped it up, and after spending another $10 or so, and ten minutes work, it ran like new.