Thread: Old Makita Belt Sander

Triangle,
couple of points:
You're missing the graphite slip pad, if you replace this you'll get better life from the belts.
How old are the belts? If they've been hanging around for a few years or have gotten damp they'll blow apart at the seam very quickly.
Are you mounting them the right way around? There's an arrow on the inside of the belt to indicate rotation.

The lever on the side is to release the trension in order to get the belts on and off. The knob on the front roller adjusts the tracking. You don't want the belt to track off the machine but you don't want it to cut into the other side either. I've got the same sander. Usually mount the belt and give it a quick blast to see what the belt does, then adjust. Once you get it to the stage where its not falling off or sending up sparks you can leave it running while you fine tune it. Once it's running fine you can apply it to the job but you may need to tweak it once it hits the timber. You'll also need to adjust it when changing belts, especially if they have different grits.

Mick

The first thing to do is exacly what Mick suggests. Get yourself a new graphite slip pad from your Makita dealer. You can see a little bit of it left on the front of your pressure plate.
It will screw straight on, and will completely cover the pressure plate.
Then follow the rest of Mick's instructions and Robert is your auntie's husband.
Regards
SG

yep, as the others said, Id say your absent piece of graphite is whats causing your grief. The belts are possible catching on a sharp bit of metal somewhere where the graphite pad should be.

Go to any competent tool store and they should either have it or be able to order it in..

Those belt sanders are never in bad shape... I've tried to kill mine but not managed it yet... I've heard of blokes sitting on them and racing.. is that true or an urban myth??

Cheers
pulse

Pulse,
pretty sure the belt sander racing is true, I believe someone posted a link a while back to a video of it. You're right about them being indestructable, I bought mine, well used, about 15 years ago and besides replacing the slip pad when I first got it, it's had nothing replaced and has done a heap more work. Not a bad buy for $80 . Now that I've said that, it'll probably blow up next time I got to use it.

Mick

Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

Pulse,
pretty sure the belt sander racing is true

Mick, youve never raced at smoko? The good `ol Makita always kicks ass

You need a "cork" and "graphite" pad on the base they are about 15 bucks each. also check both rollers for side ways slop (this will affect tracking) and oldgraphite on them

Regards

Ian

Originally Posted by Lignum

Mick, youve never raced at smoko? The good `ol Makita always kicks ass

I've thought about it whilst using it, but never seriously mainly because I have too much respect for tools to do something like that.

Mick