Fix Your Stationary Belt Sander

[@michaelwagner3952]

Very helpful video. I have the same brand of sander that I bought brand new a few years ago. Like yours, the belt snapped after only 1-2 hours of use. I bought the same replacement belt and had to adjust the factory tension; it’s been working with the same belt for about 3 years. It’s crazy that Ryobi would put in such a cheap belt. Luckily, it is a pretty easy fix to get the sander back up and running.

[@trailwomanrc]

Those three bolts in slots in the back of the panel are to tension the belt. Figured that out on my own.

[@zzgarden]

I have an older Craftsman sander of a similar design. Seems to be bullet proof. The Gates belt might be a little pricey but they are pretty much the gold standard for belts.

[@EricSorensenCanada]

@Stephen Miller that's good to know. The new belt does seem to be much higher quality.

[@mnshutterbug]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. This was exactly my problem with the same exact sander. I was about ready to trash mine or offer it free to anybody good at fixing things. I would have never thought of a belt as the problem. Now for just $8, I'll have a good working sander again and have a spare belt. I've had my Ryobi for over 10 years but don't use it a ton.

[@EricSorensenCanada]

Thanks Mike! I'm glad it was helpful. Cheers🙂

[@mnshutterbug]

@@EricSorensenCanada Can't seem to stretch the belt to reach the lower pulley. It's close but no cigar. i wonder if heating it up in the oven for a few minutes would soften it enough to stretch a bit more.

[@EricSorensenCanada]

Stretching it won't work. You have to hook the edges and then slowly turn the wheel as you work it on. Alternately, one of those screws back there controls the tension. Try Page 17 of this manual: images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/8d/8d448403-0971-4ca6-b476-f9cb8b7a7565.pdf

[@mnshutterbug]

@@EricSorensenCanada It was page 14 in my manual so we must have a different model but anyway, by following those instructions I was able to get it on, albeit with a bit of effort, and I now have a working sander again. Thanks again.

[@EricSorensenCanada]

Glad to hear you were able to get it working. It was kind of fussy for me as well.

[@MikeTheSith200]

Love that you use Ryobi tools. Great vids!

[@nelofernandez1459]

I have a bosch PBS 7A sander its great because its portable but the sanding belts brake pretty often and its a bit noisy, maybe need to put more tension on the sanding belt. How is the one you have noise wise?

[@EricSorensenCanada]

Its noisy but it doesn't have any issues with the tension.

[@sapelesteve]

Great fix Eric! With my luck, the engine would have fried & I would be purchasing a new & improved machine! LOL 👍👍😂😂

[@EricSorensenCanada]

Thanks Steve! The belts always give out long before the motor will. I broke mine edge sanding on an end grain cutting board. That said, I might just build my own one day, with a better motor.

[@11290slk]

Don't use a phillips head screwdriver on those screws. They LOOK LIKE phillips but they are actually JIS Standard. Use a JIS standard screwdriver and they won't "cam-out".

[@bigpete4227]

Also Clarke tools here in the Uk. Cheers for this as I needed to look at mine anyway.

[@stoneagearcher3477]

Mine just busted too/ great video!

[@IAmRicDaRula]

I have the exact same model but mine is making a horrible squeaking noise like it needs oil somewhere I tried taking it down to its bare parts as much as I could but I couldn't find anywhere to oil to make that squeaking go away any ideas what that is I can hear it coming from the motor section I just don't know what I should oil any help would be greatly appreciated great video by the way

[@EricSorensenCanada]

I don't know what that could be. If it's still under warranty, I would take it back and return it.

[@rebeccas.670]

Thanks, same thing happened to me today.

[@butchfoster5256]

I had one of these sanders. It would destroy new belts in just days. I found the drive wheel and belt wheel were out of alignment. Do you have a solution for this issues.

[@EricSorensenCanada]

Sounds like the tracking is out of alignment. I would start with adjusting the tracking. It only takes very small adjustments with the tracking knob on the side. At some point it should all run straight.

[@joelico3983]

Thx for the video. I also have a Ryobi and that belt keeps slipping off. Bought a new belt and still does it......any idea of what the problem is?

[@EricSorensenCanada]

Do you mean the sanding belt or the timing belt that I replaced in the video? If you bought the right sized timing belt, it shouldn't slip off. Inside the casing, it really has nowhere to go. If it's the sanding belt, then you need to adjust your tracking.

[@trailwomanrc]

There are three bolts in slots in the back of the panel loosen them, push on the panel to tighten the belt, while under tension retighten the 2 bolts.

[@joelico3983]

@@EricSorensenCanada yes Eric it’s the same belt that you replaced on here. My old one kept flying off but didn’t break. So, I went and bought a new one. After installing it it’s doing almost the same; only half of the belt stays on the cogs

[@joelico3983]

@@trailwomanrc many thx, I’ll have another good look

[@NativeNewYawka]

Hi nice review. Is this powerful enough to sand wooden discs cut from my apple tree? (people call them "cookies"), It's for an art project

[@EricSorensenCanada]

Yes.

[@davidletz9123]

Eric, can you fix Bernie's sander? Sorry, cheap but timely pun. I was surprised that the belt cost $17 USD. How is the dust collection on the Ryobi?

[@EricSorensenCanada]

@David Letz You can't fix a politician but you can fix your shop sander😆 The belt might be a bit cheaper for you. I hook up my shop vac to the Ryobi sander and the dust collection is okay - maybe 60% of the dust. Definitely not out of this world.

[@carlosgarzon6906]

THANKS FOR THE VIDEO

[@bigpete4227]

How do you change the disc, does it peel off?

[@EricSorensenCanada]

Yes, I believe it does. Although i have not had to change mine yet.

[@myvenusinuranus]

I have the mastercraft version......used it twice and now the belt and disc do not work. can't figure what's wrong with it. I normally don't buy anything made in China but there was no other choice

[@EricSorensenCanada]

Interesting, usually the disc will still work if nothing else. Sounds like the motor has blown on it or it was faulty. Not much you can do in that case. Take it back to Canadian Tire. They will except the return for store credit even if you don't have a receipt. I've returned things to them after 18 months and they still took it back.

[@kennyboothe7544]

The switch went out on my belt sander and I found a replacement on Amazon for $1.94~ but shipping was $5.99~. I looked for it on Lowe's website and found I could get it shipped to the store for NO shipping charge. I'm just saying ---

[@cyzam]

just did the same project. man those cogs are annoying. screwheads are so bad that they go flat asap. when you finally get them off you need a blowtorch and a cog puller to actually remove them. ryobi sucks..

[@EricSorensenCanada]

These sanders are the same as all the others made in China. As I said in the video, there are several brands that use the exact same sander. They just swap out the casing color.

[@cyzam]

@@EricSorensenCanada yes i agree! i have one ryobi and one "biltema" brand model. they are identical. except it was 200e vs 60e. the cheaper is a lot better quality. so i guess it's just a lucky shot to get a good product. easier to go with proper tools lol.

[@sandman2651]

I was going to buy this ryobi but in the uk it costs £175 new alot of money.there are cheaper one but the reviews are not so good