Craftsman 2x42 belt question/problem

ScottRoush

ScottRoush

Joined
Jan 10, 2010
Messages
1,818
Hi... First of all, I have a 2x42 36 grit (klingspor I think) belt that is too tight for my grinder... it bogs it down to a stop. Is there anything you can do to belt to solve this? Stretch it somehow?

Also... What is a good source for 2x42 scothbrite belts? I want to make sure I order something without the above issues....

Thank you!
 
The belt is too tight to let the grinder run? How do you get it on the grinder? Mine has a quick change feature, but if the belt is too tight to allow the motor to run when it's on, how did you get it on in the first place?

Andy
 
It has a lever that lets down the wheel to put the belt on. Then it goes back to normal tension.
 
reduce the tension on the platen aginst the back of the belt... Ive got the same grinder and encountered the same problem.....let me know if that helps.
 
actually... the way I have it set up right now, the belt does not touch the platen unless I press the blade against it. So I don't think that's the issue.

thanks for trying to help out!
 
well I suppose I will try putting it on the grinder and letting it sit for a day or so. Maybe it will stretch out...
 
The problem is not that it is too tight the belt is too stiff.Put it on the grinder and rotaste it by hand a few rounds and see if it will run.Also you can put it on the grinder and see if you gan get the grinder to start with a little help by hand be careful and don't let it bite you.
Stan
 
I have the same unit and basically it's a POS. I keep trying to take it apart to figure out why the power is so lacking. My latest theory is the drive belt gets stretched out and is too loose. I'm going to take it apart again and try to find a new drive belt.
 
Is the belt hitting your work surface?

If you can get the belt on with no problem then it cannot be to tight to let it run.
It has to be hitting something.

I have that problem with bigger grit belts, I have to pull my work surface out a bit on those.
 
If its a scotchbrite belt on there it will stretch.What i do is put on a fairly heavy work glove and keep pushing it around with the switch on ,kinda kickstarting it,until it finally stretches enough to take off.Thats on my 1x30,but i think it would work for you.
 
Like other posters said, there's gotta be something holding up the belt.

I would remove the platen, work-rest, and guard entirely. Also check the disc grinder side. If anything over there is snagged, you'll have a problem.

If you don't use the disc grinder, simply remove the aluminum backer, the guard, the work rest, etc - leaving only the motor shaft.

Then, follow the above advice and advance the belt by hand. Power it up.

If that works, put the accessories back on, one a time. Power up the machine in between and figure out where the problem is.
 
I had the same grinder a while back and its just underpowered. After about a year it started doing the same thing to me with sears belts. I would do like stan said and give it a boost with my hand...kinda like pushstarting a car. Its only 1/3hp and I think that is exaggerated a bit.
 
Thanks! I figured it out... It was catching on the guard.. the 36 grit is just a lot thicker than my other belts. :o So I took it off and ground it down AND exposed the top wheel. She's flowing SMOOTH now.
 
so, the 2X42 craftsman is underpowerd for knifemaking? I have been looking at them but wasn't shure..
 
It's underpowered but that isn't the biggest issue. It's also WAY too fast. Still, I'd recommend it to anyone just starting out for at least 2 reasons. 1) it's cheap, and if you are just dabbling in knifemaking and don't want to spend a lot of money (or if you're a poor college student) it's still a heck of a lot better than files. 2) If you can make good blades with the 2x42, when you finally get a KMG you'll be ahead of everyone. In other words, you'll be forced into learning excellent grinding skills to compensate for the deficiencies of the machine that will serve you well later.
 
Mine started doing this after a year or so as well. At first I was giving it a boost by hand like described above, but then I figured out I could apply a small amount of pressure to the tensioning handle to relieve a little spring pressure while it spools up to speed, thereby eliminating the risk of grinding my fingers off.
 
Yeah, let me clarify, it is underpowered and fast, but...I wouldn't have rather bought another grinder at that price. Its a great little grinder for $100-120. I got mine for $99 on sale and have never regretted it. Glad you got it figured out Moss.

-Steve
 
I have that belt grinder too. The only problem that I had was with a 2" leather belt but I cut the bottom portion of the guard off and it worked. Just get a lot of wobble with the leather belt. I have also noticed that the platen isn't flat. Going to have to either make one or find one that will fit it.
 
I too had one. If the grinder starts fine when new and then has to be hand started later, it may have blown it's start capacitor. New cap made a huge difference on mine.

I don't think these are a POS. They are a nice step between the 1 x 30 and a 2 x 72. Turned out a lot of nice knives on that thing and now another maker is using it. :thumbup:

Rob!
 
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