Quick answer: To replace a drum sander conveyor feed belt: unplug the machine, raise the drum, release the conveyor tension, slide the old belt off, slide the new belt on with the abrasive side out, re-tension, then run the conveyor and adjust the tracking screws until it runs straight. It takes about 15 minutes with basic tools. A replacement 120-grit feed belt from us lasts for years and costs a fraction of the machine-brand part – we stock sizes for Delta, Grizzly, JET, Performax, SuperMax and most other drum sanders.
What the conveyor feed belt does
The feed belt is the abrasive-coated conveyor under the drum. Its job is to grip the wood (or metal) and pull it through the drum at a steady speed while the drum sander abrasive does the sanding. When the belt's grit wears smooth, the work starts slipping, you get snipe and ripples, and the motor labours – that's when to replace it. Our replacement conveyor feed belt is a 120-grit abrasive on a tough backing that grips well and lasts for many years.
Watch: replacing and measuring a drum sander feed belt
Step by step
- Unplug the sander. Don't rely on the switch.
- Raise the drum as high as it goes so you have room to work under it.
- Release the conveyor tension. Back off the tension screws or bolts at the end of the conveyor table (usually at the idler roller) until the belt is slack.
- Slide the old belt off the rollers. Note which side of the table the belt tracked to – that tells you which screw to adjust later.
- Slide the new belt on with the abrasive side facing out (up, on the top run). Center it on the rollers.
- Re-tension. Tighten the tension screws evenly until the belt is snug and doesn't slip on the drive roller under hand pressure. Don't over-tighten – it loads the bearings and makes tracking harder.
- Track the belt. Plug in, run the conveyor with no wood, and watch which way it drifts. Turn the tracking screw on the side it drifts toward in small increments until it runs straight for a full minute.
- Test. Run a scrap board through at a light cut and confirm the feed is steady.
How to measure a conveyor feed belt
If you don't know your belt size, measure the old one: width across the belt, and length around the outside (or wrap a tape around both rollers over the table, pulled snug). Our belt measuring guide shows both methods. Then pick the matching size from the list below.
Sizes we stock
| Belt size (W x L) | Typical machines |
|---|---|
| 10-1/4" x 32-5/8" | 10" benchtop drum sanders |
| 16" x 43-1/2", 16-1/4" x 43-3/4" | 16-32 style open-end sanders |
| 17-1/4" x 38-1/4" | Compact 16"–18" machines |
| 18" x 44-1/2", 18" x 47-1/2" | 18-36 style open-end sanders |
| 22-1/8" x 44-1/2", 22-3/8" x 47-1/2" | 22-44 style open-end sanders |
| 23" x 62", 23" x 67-1/2", 23-1/4" x 67" | 24" and 25" dual-drum sanders |
| 25-1/8" x 44-1/2" | 25" single-drum sanders |
| 35" x 67-1/2" | 37" dual-drum sanders |
Fits Performax, JET, SuperMax, Grizzly, Delta and similar machines. Don't see your size? Contact us with the measurements and we'll make it.
While you're in there
A fresh feed belt is a good time to put a fresh wrap on the drum. Our drum sander rolls come in 36 to 400 grit, in 3", 4" and 6" widths, on a cloth backing that wraps without cracking. See common drum sander problems if the machine is still misbehaving after the belt swap.
