About two years ago, I posted a video on my YouTube channel about my discovery of the replaceable graphite pad that's under the sanding belt of the Jet belt-disc sander. It's supposed to help keep things cooler, and also protects the metal bed that it covers.
Since the pad was never mentioned in the manual, how was anyone supposed to know that it was there, and needed periodic replacement?
Removing the original pad and cleaning the metal bed was unpleasant and time-consuming due to the strength of the adhesive backing. However, quite by accident I discovered that Klingspor's Woodworking Shop (my go-to place for most sanding supplies) sold comparable graphite strips that were 6" wide and 3' long. Each strip was far less costly than the Jet product, and was also long enough for two complete applications.
Most important, however, is that the back of the graphite pad of the Klingspor product is not self-stick. To attach it, cut the strip the correct length and apply Aileen's temporary spray adhesive. When it's time for replacement, just remove the belt, pull the pad off, and clean up any residue with mineral spirits.
Even better, since only the lower part of the pad is likely to wear out, you can double the life of each pad by inverting it when it gets worn. Now there are no excuses for struggling, and I plan to check the pad each time I replace the belt.
Showing posts with label Jet belt sander. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jet belt sander. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Thursday, August 20, 2015
New source for graphite pads for Jet belt sander
A while ago, I posted a photo showing severe areas of wear on the graphite pad of my Jet belt/disc sander. Until then, I was not even aware that there was such a pad, or that the deep indentations were the cause of my inability to sand vertical sides.
I had called Jet to help me troubleshoot the problem, found out about and ordered the pad, and installed it with a great deal of difficulty. The old adhesive was almost impossible to remove, even with Goo Gone, and the new pad had the same type of adhesive on it.
Recently, the same problem sanding problem reappeared, not as bad as the first time, but still problematic. However, in the interim, I had discovered that Klingspor's Woodworking carried short rolls of cloth backed graphite in 6" widths, and ordered a piece large enough for two complete applications to keep on hand. Not surprisingly, it was far less costly than ordering the single piece from Jet.
However, the real bonus was the discovery that it was applied using spray adhesive. I removed the old pad, with the same amount of difficulty as the first time, cleaned the bed thoroughly, and applied the new pad, cut to appropriate length, using repositionable adhesive. The instructions specified spray adhesive, and this was what I had on hand. It's been completely trouble free, and I'm now considering replacing just the lower part when needed, rather than the entire pad, since removal should not be such a production.
Nice to find a really good solution to a recurring problem. I do like the fact that there is an interface between the sanding belt and the metal bed, which not only keeps things cooler, but protects the bed from "dings".
I had called Jet to help me troubleshoot the problem, found out about and ordered the pad, and installed it with a great deal of difficulty. The old adhesive was almost impossible to remove, even with Goo Gone, and the new pad had the same type of adhesive on it.
Recently, the same problem sanding problem reappeared, not as bad as the first time, but still problematic. However, in the interim, I had discovered that Klingspor's Woodworking carried short rolls of cloth backed graphite in 6" widths, and ordered a piece large enough for two complete applications to keep on hand. Not surprisingly, it was far less costly than ordering the single piece from Jet.
However, the real bonus was the discovery that it was applied using spray adhesive. I removed the old pad, with the same amount of difficulty as the first time, cleaned the bed thoroughly, and applied the new pad, cut to appropriate length, using repositionable adhesive. The instructions specified spray adhesive, and this was what I had on hand. It's been completely trouble free, and I'm now considering replacing just the lower part when needed, rather than the entire pad, since removal should not be such a production.
Nice to find a really good solution to a recurring problem. I do like the fact that there is an interface between the sanding belt and the metal bed, which not only keeps things cooler, but protects the bed from "dings".
Friday, February 20, 2015
Using the Wixey on aluminum or non-metallic surfaces
I think I forgot to post this useful tip I discovered quite by accident, so better late than never.
My Jet belt-disc sander has only one cast iron table, and I use that with the disc sander. The table for the belt sander is probably aluminum, and has no angle guide for tilting. While this seems inconvenient, the trade-off is that as you tilt the table, you can also adjust it to keep a very small space between the table and the belt.
This is essential for the type of sanding that I do, which often involves tiny or very thin pieces that could easily get caught in a wider space. However, sometimes I need to set the table angle accurately, and holding the Wixey in place is very awkward.
My "aha" moment came when I realized that the miter gauge that comes with the saw and fits into the table slot will hold the Wixey securely. I usually don't use the miter gauge, so this never occurred to me before. Such an easy solution, and it was there all the time!
My Jet belt-disc sander has only one cast iron table, and I use that with the disc sander. The table for the belt sander is probably aluminum, and has no angle guide for tilting. While this seems inconvenient, the trade-off is that as you tilt the table, you can also adjust it to keep a very small space between the table and the belt.
This is essential for the type of sanding that I do, which often involves tiny or very thin pieces that could easily get caught in a wider space. However, sometimes I need to set the table angle accurately, and holding the Wixey in place is very awkward.
My "aha" moment came when I realized that the miter gauge that comes with the saw and fits into the table slot will hold the Wixey securely. I usually don't use the miter gauge, so this never occurred to me before. Such an easy solution, and it was there all the time!
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