I have ordered and received a replacement belt for a Porter Cable Model 361 Type 6 belt sander 3X24. What is the trick to get the belt on? I can not get it around the driver gear and the driven pulley. Do I need to take the whole thing apart or is there an adjustment that will allow me to put the drive belt on?
There is a lever on the side at the front right near the roller that you can use to release the spring tension on that roller (moving it slightly to the rear). Once the tension is released you can slip the sanding belt onto both rollers from the side. Release the lever and the spring will put tension on the belt to hold it in place. Use the knob on the left side to center the belt on the roller if it starts to slip sideways when in use.
If you don't mind, let me know the outcome.
thanks...
Charlie
power cord stuck in rear wheel of power sander
771 views
Usually answered in minutes!
I have tried that but the belt gets so tight it feels like it's going to snap. So, I didn't force it. Is that the only way to put it on or is there a way to release one of the gears?
I think you might have misunderstood my question. I am trying to replace the drive belt (inside the cover plate) not the sanding belt.
Okay, thanks for all the help. I'll try rolling it on.
Another thot, if you can't roll it on, is to immerse the belt in hot water for about 30 seconds, then quickly try the roll on method again.
jmorganti,
I think you are describing installing the sanding belt. The question is how to install the drive belt.
jason,
If you can get the edge of the belt on the small gear, I don't think you're going to snap it by using that method ("rolling" it on).
I think the trick is to get as much slack as you can in the belt on the side opposite the way you are rolling the little gear.
The notches in the belt will grab the spline on the gear and cause it to tighten even when the belt is long enough to go onto the gears. It has to be "kinda finessed on".
Charlie
I looked at the schematic of this sander. It looks like all the rest of them to me.
Have you tried putting the belt on the large gear first, then putting the edge of the belt on the small gear and turning the small gear? This usually "rolls" the belt into place.
×