Why is My Belt Sander Breaking Belts?

The reason why your belt sander is breaking belts is because of bad belt joints or too much pressure on the belt causing it to heat up and break. A moist environment or damage during packing or storing are other reasons why a belt sander is breaking belts.

Excessive loading

Excessive loading is a reason why your belt sander is breaking belts. Excessive loading or loading happens when external particles of dust or wood are plunged into your belt sander. If you are working on a material that varies in its thickness, it can also cause excessive loading.

Poor belt joints

If the belts of your belt sander have bad and poor joints, these belts will become fragile and break prematurely. The inappropriate process of belt manufacturing is the common reason for poor belt joints.

Damage during packing or storing

Damage during packing or storing is another reason why your belt sander is breaking belts. If you are not packing and storing the belts correctly and appropriately, the belts can get damaged and will break soon.

Heating of your belt sander

Excessive heat produced by your belt sander is also a cause of why your belt sander is breaking belts. If you are putting too much pressure on your belt sander while sanding, it will generate excessive heat. This heat then can break down the belts of your belt sander prematurely.

The ill-suited belt for your belt sander

Using an ill-suited and inappropriate belt for your belt sander is another reason why your belt sander is breaking belts. There are two types of belts for belt sanders in the market; paper-backed belts and cloth-backed belts. A paper-backed belt gives a smoother finish. But you should choose the belt which is suited for your belt sander.

Old and busty Belts

Old and rusty belts for your belt sander are also a cause of why your belt sander is breaking belts. If you are using belts which are stored for more than one year, they will become rustic. These rustic old belts can heat up soon as compared to new ones and will break down.

Moist environment

The moist environment is a rare cause of why your belt sander is breaking belts. If you are working in a humid environment for a long time, the belts of your belt sander will get moisture and will break down easily.

How to fix a Belt Sander that is Ripping Belts?

You can fix a belt sander that is ripping belts by adjusting the tension, tracking system or by replacing the belt altogether. First, you will have to diagnose the specific problem that is causing your belt sander to rip the belts, you can fix it by following our below.

Adjusting the Tension of Your Belt Sander

The amount of pressure which you apply on each end of the conveyor rollers of your belt sander is known as tension.

The recommended tension pressures for various types of belts are given below.

For paper-backed belts – 50 psi
For cloth-backed belts – 60 psi
For polyester-backed belts – 70-80 psi

How to adjust the tension on a belt sander?

Cut off the electricity supply to the conveyor of your belt sander.
Pin-point the roller adjustment on each side of the conveyor system.
Use a wrench to unbolt the interior lock nuts on each side of the adjustment rods.
Now moves clockwise on each side of the roller with equal numbers of turns to tighten it, until the desired tension is achieved.

How to adjust the tracking system on a belt sander?

If your belt sander is ripping belts by slipping, you can adjust the tracking of your belt sander to fix it.

Put a piece of duct tape throughout the conveyor to get a visual sign that the belt is rotating.
Turn on the power supply of the conveyor as the tracking adjustment is only done if it is operating.
Let the belt rotate for some minutes and take notes of its tendencies.
See the location of the belt on the roller. If the belt is moving to the left side, release the tension nut on the right side ½ turn anticlockwise and if it is moving to the right side unfasten the left side with the same quantity.
Let the belt rotate at least three times to check if the tracking adjustment is done.
If the tracking adjustments have been done, turn off the power supply of the conveyor of your belt sander and then take off the duct tape.

How to change a belt on a belt sander?

If you are using the incorrect belt for your belt sander, it will be ripped off from your belt sander immaturely.

You can fix your belt sander that is ripping belts by replacing the belts with the ones that are suited for your belt sander.

In general, there are three common types of belts for a belt sander; paper-backed, clothe backed and polyester-backed belts.

Most people prefer paper-backed belts as they can give a rather smoother surface result.

But actually, it depends on your belt sander and which specific type of belt is suited for it.

How to replace the ill-suited belt of your belt sander in easy steps?

You can change the belt of your belt sander in easy steps.
Turn off the power supply of your belt sander.
Observe the belt on your belt sander. If it is worn out at the edges, it means it needs to be changed.
On both sides of your belt sander, find the tension lever.
Move the lever upwards. It will cause the belt to loosen on the wheels.
Take off the old belt and slip on the new one.
Impel the lever downwards to fasten the new belt.
Turn on the power supply to check the position of the new belt.

Why Your Sanding Belt Keeps Slipping Off?

The reason why your sanding belt keeps slipping off and isn’t working accurately is that the belt of your belt sander has bad quality.

Sometimes, your belt sander isn’t breaking the belt. Instead, it is just slipping down the belt while sanding.

There must be one of the following issues why your sanding belt keeps slipping off.

The belt of your belt sander is of a poor and bad quality
Your belt sander belt has worn out from the edges
There can be dust particles on the conveyor rollers of your belt sander
Inappropriate size of the belt for your belt sander
The tension lever of your belt sander isn’t working straight
You have put the belt on your belt sander in the wrong direction

If your sanding belt keeps slipping off, you can fix it by keeping these steps in mind:

Always buy the best quality items for your belt sander, even if they are expensive.
If the belt of your belt sander has worn out, replace it with a new one.
If there is dust on the conveyor rollers of your belt sander. Clean them by removing the belt. You can clean other portions of your belt sander as well.
for the right direction of the belt on your belt sander, find the directional instruction signs on the inside of the belt.
Always buy the belts from the most reviewed brands. And if their products suit you, stick with them.
If the tension lever of your belt sander has a problem, take off the tension lever by using a screwdriver. Now change its spring with a new one, it will resolve the problem.

Why your Belt Sander is not Tracking Straight?

If your belt sander is not tracking straight, there must be either a problem during stock removal or the laser eye of your belt sander is blocked by dust particles.

If you are frequently changing the belts of your belt sander, it will create a problem with its tracking system.

Similarly, tension pressure issues or improper way of belt storage can create a problem of why your belt sander is not tracking straight.

Tracking straight problems with your belt sander are common ones. If it is happening often, it means your belt sander needs to be adjusted or repaired.

If your belt sander isn’t tracking straight anymore, these pieces of advice will help you to fix it.

Always check the quality of the belt for your belt sander before buying it.
Avoid removing too much stock in a single move with your belt sander. Just keep the right grit for stock removal. Follow these guidelines;

For pains and removing bumps – P50
For hardwoods – P80
For softwood sanding – P120
For smoothing surface – P180
For wet sanding – P320

Remove all the dust particles from the laser eye of your belt sander, so that it can act properly.
Always store your belts in a moderate environment.
If there is a low-tension problem on your belt sander, adjust the tension to the right amount.

For paper-backed belts – 50 psi
For cloth-backed belts – 60 psi
For polyester-backed belts – 70-80 psi

If your belt sander still isn’t tracking straight, contact a specialist due to the complexity of the job.