Belt Tracking Issues on a Performax

[Lillian]

While I was looking for other information on Performax sanders, I came across this tidbit in a review. I know that there have been several individuals who have expresses their frustration at not being able to solve their tracking problems. Maybe this will help.

"I had some tracking problems with the feed belt also. A friend who is a machinest, was watching me run some coca bola strips thru the machine, noted that the machine was "racked" in relation to the base. It was such a small amount that I would have never noticed it. With the machine still mounted to the base, he had me loosen all the bolts holding the base together, and the bolts holding the machine to the base. He then "wiggled" the machine and had me retighten the bolts holding the machine to the base, then tighten the bolts on the base starting at the top and working down. Haven't had a tracking problem since."

[Allen]

Thanks for posting that Lillian. I've tried doing this as well, but by yourself it's a bit of a challenge, and I'm not sure if I managed to get things right. Mine doesn't track the way I want it to, but it's not chewing up belts, so right now I'm living with it.

[Lillian]

I'm wondering if there isn't an issue with the belts themselves. Hesh responded to a question on the OLF about the 10/20. He said that he has tracking issues. The original belt tracks to the left, but his new belt tracks to the right. That would imply that his machine is set up correctly, but the belts themselves are defective. It wouldn't take much to mess up a belt, a bit of thickness variation, cuts not being square before joining. The entire process of making a belt could cause an issue if something was worn or in need of adjustment. I guess that the chrome on the rollers themselves could be the cause if it isn't uniform. Its tedious, but easy enough to mic to find out of they are causing you grief.

I've been lucky in that I have had no issues at all with mine, except getting the paper on tight enough.