What to do now contd.

[JamesHuntsville]

Today I used a 41" piece of board that was cut off the 8 foot boards for the valances. I carved an exit sign for my granddaughter. The carving pattern was 16" and the board was 23" x 5 1/2" x 3/4. The carving turned out good as you can see from the picture. Now the problem is the sandpaper belts. As you face the key pad the belt on the right side is walking toward you (as shown in the picture)
http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL586/3642218/19733038/330289554.jpg

you can see a bulge at the edge of the belt on the side of the keypad.
http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL586/3642218/19733038/330289565.jpg

There were also a couple of damaged places on the left or other belt.
http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL586/3642218/19733038/330289576.jpg

All this happened during the last 1 3/4 hour exit plaque carve.
http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL586/3642218/19733038/330289497.jpg

James
Huntsville, Tx.

[badger]

Appears its time to order another belt. It might have walked on you because of the damaged area or others here might be able to explain why its walking on you.

[jspringertx]

I had that problem occur before and I found that adjusting the travel of the heads and a thorough cleaning fixed the problem. The rear belt is not moving at all now and I keep an eye on it.

[mtylerfl]

I had that problem occur before and I found that adjusting the travel of the heads and a thorough cleaning fixed the problem. The rear belt is not moving at all now and I keep an eye on it.

Hello,

What do you mean "adjusting the travel of the heads"? I guess I'm not familiar with that procedure.

Also, if the rear belt is not moving, seems to me that is a problem that needs to be fixed. Could lead to more serious problems, I would think. What does LHR say about it?

[Digitalwoodshop]

Long board placement can cause the belts to creep and bunch up if not placed parallel along the left guide.

I always place my fingers at the gap or lack of gap on each side of the key pad side of the machine. The Black metal guides that the board left side rides along. I check it as the board is measuring. A board with a 1/8 inch gap on one end will cause this problem due the board not being placed in the machine parallel to the left side.

AL

[liquidguitars]

Now the problem is the sandpaper belts. As you face the key pad the belt on the right side is walking toward you (as shown in the picture)

your table pressure is the prob.
a quick fix is to remove 1" of the sandpaper belt at the point of the fold..

LG

[Audie]

a quick fix is to remove 1" of the sandpaper belt at the point of the fold..

Can you short track the sandpaper belt and operate properly? I ask because I had one of my brand new belts rip about 3/4" wide for about 6 inches (length) on the keyboard side and I had considered trimming off the ripped section and putting it back on the rollers...I am cautious though as I really would like to get some carving done!

Audie

[liquidguitars]

1" to 3/4 less should be ok, just clean it up so it even..

LG

[Audie]

1" to 3/4 less should be ok, just clean it up so it even..

LG

Thanks LG, I'll give it a shot since the belt isn't even dusty! If nothing else I'll save it for a spare since I got my new belts in last night.
[Praying to the sawdust god that today I'll be able to make some with my CW]:rolleyes:

Audie

[JamesHuntsville]

Found the problem and LG hit it right on the head. The head pressure was 150 lbs. Took machine completely apart today, cleaned and lubricated, and reset the drive belts. Belts were ok after inspecting them and reinstalled same. Corrected problem of error message about stuck roller and now works fine. Reassembled machine and will test tomorrow. Head pressure now at 60 lbs. As long as board doesn't slip should be fine. All these places in the machine that they are telling you are sealed to keep out saw dust are anything but sealed.Really poor QC at time of manufacturing. When I removed the supposedly sealed plastic cover over the belt drive gears the inside was packed with sawdust. All the gear teeth were packed with sawdust. Corrected that problem and now the machine is cleaner than it was when I got it. Just hope it runs ok.

James
Huntsville