WDS 1600 Belt Tensioner

[Pappy]

It's been a while and here i am with yet another problem.

One of the belt tensioners on my Ryobi WDS 1600 broke several months age. I repaired it with JB Weld and it held for a while. Working on Christmas presents it gave up the ghost again and here are virtually zero parts available for these sanders. Hoping someone here has a broken machine for parts that can sell me the broken piece. If not, maybe someone has the equipment and ability to make them for me. The other choice is to find a good welder with a TIG welder to fix this one. Had a buddy that could have done it but he has lung problems and is long since retired.

[mpc]

How difficult would it be to get a block of aluminum from McMaster-Carr or someplace like that and make your own? Drill the three holes first, while the piece is a nice rectangular block, then hacksaw or use a carbide bladed power saw to make the giant rabbet. You probably could make the inside corner with a rounded corner/fillet to add strength.

So many imported power tools share parts... you might use online repair parts places to lookup other sander makes/models and see if they use a similar part. Rikon claims they didn't make the Craftsman 10 inch bandsaw.... but many replacement parts turn out to have Rikon part numbers. One factory, two different sellers...

mpc

[Pappy]

I thought about trying to cross over parts from another brand but haven't looked into it yet.

[Pappy]

I found what appears to be a clone of the Ryobi WDS 1600 under the name Vevor. Unfortunately, I can't find a source for parts.

[mpc]

I don't know how heavy this piece is nor the radius of its motion... if you end up making a replacement you probably need to make its weight match the original to keep things balanced. Somwthing that came to mind after my original reply.

mpc

[Black walnut]

Pappy can you take good clear pictures and then edit with measurements? Top view, side view, and bottom if it has a rabbet. Maybe super glue the broken piece back together first. that looks like something that would be easy to make on my mill with 6061, or 7075(that would have a cost, 1' square is $63 per foot!.) Send me a PM. It would probably take me a couple of weeks...

[capncarl]

When left wit no parts for the repair I look at using 4 or 5 links of chain , bolt tight to the frame and hold the tensioner through on of the chain links. It doesn’t have to be as delivered, it just has to work. Glue is not the answer for something under tension.

[Black walnut]

Thinking you didn't understand the reason for glue...

[capncarl]

I do understand the reason for glue. Pappy doesn’t have a milling machine, and the broke piece is probably pot metal glue is the last resort.

[Pappy]

I found a website for Vevor and sent an inquiry about parts. Black Walnut, if that doesn't work out, I will get the information to you.

[capncarl]

Pappy, could you make this work?
It’s probably made of 12ga ss. Something I made several dozen of for something I can no longer remember. Slots are aprox 5/16”.could use a couple of couple of welds in bend but might work for your replacement piece.

[Pappy]

Carl, I don't think that will work. I got an answer back from Vevor. in a nutshell it says that unless you need parts for a sander you bought from them, they won't sell you the parts you need.

Just got another message from them saying it looks like I bought their product and need accessories, but they can't find an invoice. Told them I bought it used off Facebook Marketplace. We will see what happens next before I give up.If they don't come through with new parts I will take Black Walnut up on his offer. I might try to make a temporary block out of Delron to get me running until he can get some made.

[capncarl]

Ok. The piece in my photo is not as big as it looks, only about 2”x4”. With Delrin you could cut it out on the band saw with little trouble. Uhmw or any of the plastics like that will work for a permanent replacement and not worry about a replacement. Could you give some dimensions on the piece, and if the tail is at an angle. Bolt hole size too.
Is ths spring a compression spring or a tension spring? How much pressure is on it?
What kind of sander is it?

[Pappy]

Carl, the springs expand as the nut is turned counterclockwise to apply the tension to the conveyor belt.

Vevor asked me for pictures of the damaged parts. Tey also want a picture of the serial tag on the sander, which i obviously can't give them. Looks like it is back to plan A, make a temporary piece out of Delron and then get with Black Walnut for a more permanent solution.