How To Change The Belt On A Makita Belt Sander
In this article, I will share with you the steps to replace the sanding belt on a Makita sander. Although this tutorial is specific to Makita sanders, the process is similar for all belt sanders.
First, we need to unplug the tool and release the tension on the old sandpaper. Then, we can replace it with a new sanding belt, ensuring that the directional arrows on the belt are aligned with the arrow on the tool.
Once the new belt is in place, we need to centre it on the plate and adjust the position using the adjustment wheel.
Finally, we can test the belt sander to ensure it is working correctly.
Watch The Video
I made a companion video to go with this article, watch it below or keep scrolling for the text version.
Key Takeaways
- Safety precautions should be taken when replacing a sanding belt, such as unplugging the tool and placing it away from you on a stable surface.
- When installing the new belt, ensure that the directional arrows on the belt are aligned with the arrow on the tool to avoid damaging the belt or the tool.
- After installing the new belt, centre it on the plate and adjust the position using the adjustment wheel, then test the belt sander to ensure it is working correctly.
Safety Precautions
Before replacing the sanding belt on your Makita sander, it’s important to take some safety precautions to ensure that you don’t injure yourself or damage the tool. Here are the steps you should follow:
- First, with the old belt still on, plug in your machine and turn it on briefly. Then, turn it off and unplug it. This will ensure that the machine is isolated and won’t accidentally turn on while you’re working on it.
- Next, turn the belt sander on its side so that the side with the arrow and lever is facing you. Pull the lever up to release the tension on the sanding belt, and remove the old sandpaper.
- When you’re ready to put on the new sanding belt, make sure to check the inside of the belt for directional arrows. These arrows indicate which way the belt should go on the sander, so line them up with the arrow on the tool.
- With the lever up, slip the new belt onto the sander and center it in the middle of the plate. Make sure the belt isn’t too close to the body of the tool.
- Once you’re happy with the placement of the belt, clamp down the lever to secure it in place.
- Before plugging the tool back in, make sure it’s placed away from you on a stable surface. Check that all the settings are off before turning it on.
- Finally, turn the belt sander face up on the bench and adjust the adjustment wheel until the belt is in the middle. Make sure the arrows on the belt are pointing in the same direction as the arrow on the tool. This will ensure that the seam on the belt runs in the correct direction and doesn’t wear out too quickly.
Removing the Old Belt
Pull the lever up to release the tension on the sanding belt, and remove the old sandpaper.
The old sanding belt will just slide out sideways.
Installing the New Belt
Make sure to check the belt’s inside for directional arrows indicating which way the belt should go on the sander.
Line up these arrows with the arrow on the tool and slip the new belt on with the lever up.
After ensuring that the belt is centred on the plate and not too close to the body of the tool, close the lever to secure the belt.
Fine Tuning the Belt Position
To adjust the belt position, turn the sander face up on the bench and start the machine.
Then, use the adjustment wheel to center the belt and make sure the arrows on the belt are pointing in the same direction as the arrow on the tool.
This is important because the seam on the belt is designed to run one way, and using it the wrong way can ruin the seam and cause the sandpaper to wear out quickly.
