How does a belt sander keep the belt centered?
Question:I know that the drive drum is bowed in the middle. This would make me think it would slide off one side once it started moving. Instead, if you force the belt off center, it recenters itself like magic.
Answers:
The trick is in the bow in the drum. A sanding belt or any flat belt for that matter will want to go to the highest point on the drum. That is where the greatest "stretch" is. Open up your band saw and look at the top wheel. Notice that it also has a bow on it. The adjuster knob controls the location of the bow relative to the drive wheel, and the blade or belt follows that bow.
Spring tension. or sprung tension...
There is a knob on the side of them that tightens the belt and also makes it turn left or right
Both the drive and follower are aligned, as long as it doesn't change, the belt will stay centered. ( it is magic)
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