New Delta 1"x42" pretty rough - suggestions?

Z

zippin44

Joined
Aug 13, 2007
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I just bought a Delta SA180 1" x 42" sander and I'm not sure if maybe I should take it back and try another one. Two of the three wheels wobble side to side while spinning like drunken sailors, and I have to screw the tracking adjuster all the way down (CCW) to get the belt to stay on the wheels. The top wheel is angled so much it looks like the landing gear on an F-18 Hornet! It works, but it ain't pretty! I realise this isn't a high end band saw or something like that, but I was kind of expecting something a bit more lined up. Any suggestions?

Maybe I'm just used to machines that are built fairly well. I have 4 band saws and a Powermatic belt/disk sander in my shop and all the wheels are coplaner and there is no wobble. On this little 1" x 42" Delta, the upper wheel wobble would make sanding inside curves on the top wheel with the cover removed kind of choppy.

The thing that really bothers me is the extreme angle of the top wheel to get the belt to track. It's tilted so much that there's actually a small part of the belt that doesn't even touch the wheel. It's like a kink that sticks up. One would think the belts would wear out quicker because the geometry is all out of whack.

On the other hand, I realize this is just a POS Chinese made Delta machine, so I don't really know if my expectations are in check. This is a Delta, not a Harbor Freight though. That's got to account for something, right?
 
Sounds like a defect. I'd take it back. Heck if the POS harbor freight one I had/have doesn't do that and spins true in the center without any tracking compensation ! and that should be made WORSE !!!
 
I have the same Delta. You have to monkey with it a bit to get it to track straight every now and again, but it's not as bad as what you are describing. Take it back.
 
Thanks guys.

A couple of questions so that when I go back to the store I know if the new one is ok. Unfortunately, their stock probably all came off the same assembly line on the same day.

1) Once you get it tracking straight, how much is your top wheel cocked to one side? Mine is cocked to the max of the adjustment - nearly to the point where the top rear section of the wheel rubs the side of the machine casting.

2) On mine, about 2/3 of the belt rides on the bottom wheel and 1/3 hangs over the edge of the wheel. Do you guys get something like that going on?

Many thanks for the help!

Noah
 
take it back- ive never had that problem when i used the hell out of mine--marekz
 
I don't have any overhang. It is cocked a little depending on the belt but nothing as bad as you're describing. Take one of your belts with you and try them all until you find one that runs right.
 
I'd love to be able to try out the machines until I get one that's straight but I expect theres' no way they'll let me do that. This is a private store, albeit a very large one, in north Jersey and I'll probably be lucky if they don't kick me out.
 
Mine's great as well. I know there's a guy on another forum that makes aluminum wheels to replace the plastic crappy ones that come stock, I can post a link if you're interested... Mine came with a broken top wheel and the store wouldn't do anything about it so i had to jb weld/tape it back together... a definate crap job but it is actually holding up really well. speaking of those aluminum wheels I should probably order a set! :)
 
Post mortem:

Drove over an hour back to the place, opened up three other units from the pallet and all three were crap. Asked if I could check out the display and it tracked like a lazer, smooth as silk - obviously from a different batch. THe disc had a good bit of run out, but beggars can't be choosers, right? Sold!

I always thought Delta made pretty decent stuff. Wonder what happened?

Thanks everyone for your help!
 
zippin44 said:
Post mortem:

Drove over an hour back to the place, opened up three other units from the pallet and all three were crap. Asked if I could check out the display and it tracked like a lazer, smooth as silk - obviously from a different batch. THe disc had a good bit of run out, but beggars can't be choosers, right? Sold!

I always thought Delta made pretty decent stuff. Wonder what happened?

Thanks everyone for your help!
Click to expand...

Delta is no longer made in the U S it is being made in china

-page
 
amcardon said:
Mine's great as well. I know there's a guy on another forum that makes aluminum wheels to replace the plastic crappy ones that come stock, I can post a link if you're interested...
Click to expand...

link please. :D


like what everyone else said, sounds like a defect.
 
Thanks for the link, I might pick up the one wheel and debating on the platen. The factory platen is slightly bent in the middle now and not much use to me now, but I can probably rig up my own platen for cheaper. The wheel and platen would cost me ~$50 shipped, more then half what the grinder cost.
 
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