Harbor Freight belt/disc sander?

[LCHIEN]

I figure I'd need about 15" of 4"-wide adhesive backed UHMW tape to line the top of my 4x36 belt sander.

Anyone know where to get some cheap?
Best I could find was 4 sheets of 5x5 for $9 + $4 shipping.
wide 4" rolls or even 2" rolls were expensive - usually had to by 5 yards or more.

[RAV2]

I agree that the tape is expensive from various sources.

I purchased this roll from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$17 for 18 yards of 1" wide tape.

This tape is something I always wanted to add to my 'arsenal of tools' so I saw it as a long term purchase for other uses in the future.

Cleaned the surface with alcohol, applied the tape in strips, and it seems to be holding well.

[Stytooner]

I think traditionally a thin stainless steel sheet is used on the platen as a rub surface. I seem to recall that on one of my PC belt sanders.
I have a larger 6x48" HF belt disc sander and two of the 4x36's. One still in box.
I also use the 1x30". Burned one out. Tried the Grizzly, which is the same and it quit yesterday.
Bought another on sale for $35.00 after couponage. It takes me a couple years to burn one out. We use them daily. Maybe 10 hours a week total. Not too bad for that kind of use.
None of the HF's have anything other than a flat painted steel plate.

The 6x48" sees the most use of the flat surface and I do see quite a bit of wear at the front edge of the plate.
A proper sized thin sheet with a bend at the front edge might be just the ticket I think. Mine sand stainless steel, so they see a lot of heat. I don't think UHMW or any kind of tape would be appropriate in my case.