Harbor Freight Tools 94748 User Manual

BELT SANDER

3” X 21”

94748

ASSEMBLY AND OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS

Due to continuing improvements, actual product may differ slightly from the product described herein.

3491 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93011

Visit our website at: http://www.harborfreight.com

TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY, READ AND UNDERSTAND

ALL WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE.

Copyright© 2006 by Harbor Freight Tools®. All rights reserved. No portion of this manual or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in any shape or form without the express written consent of Harbor Freight Tools.

For technical questions or replacement parts, please call 1-800-444-3353.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Motor 120 VAC / 60 Hz / 6 Amps / 2,625 RPM Motor

Double Insulated Power Cord 6 Ft. x 18 Gauge with 2-Prong Plug Trigger 2-Finger ON/OFF Sandpaper Size 3” Wide x 21” Long Features 1 to 6 Variable Speed Dial (1,025 to 2,625 speed range)

3-Position Adjustable Front Handle

Built-In Dust Collection

All Ball Bearing Construction

Quick Belt Change with Quick Release Tension Lever Accessories Vacuum Bag / 80 Grit Sanding Belt Overall Dimensions 13” Long x 6-1/4” Wide x 6-5/8” High Unit Weight 7 Pounds

SAVE THIS MANUAL

You will need this manual for the safety warnings and precautions, assembly, operating, inspection, maintenance and cleaning procedures, parts list and assembly diagram. Keep your invoice with this manual. Write the invoice number on the inside of the front cover. Keep this manual and invoice in a safe and dry place for future reference.

E194601

GENERAL SAFETY RULES

WARNING!

READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL INSTRUCTIONS

Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in

electric shock, ﬁre, and/or serious injury.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

WORK AREA

Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered benches and dark areas invite

accidents.

Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the pres-

ence of ﬂammable liquids, gases, or dust. Power tools create sparks which may

ignite the dust or fumes.

Keep bystanders, children, and visitors away while operating a power tool.

Distractions can cause you to lose control. Protect others in the work area from

debris such as chips and sparks. Provide barriers or shields as needed.

SKU 94748 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353 PAGE 2

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

Grounded tools must be plugged into an outlet properly installed and grounded

in accordance with all codes and ordinances. Never remove the grounding

prong or modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs. Check with

a qualiﬁed electrician if you are in doubt as to whether the outlet is properly

grounded. If the tools should electrically malfunction or break down, grounding

provides a low resistance path to carry electricity away from the user.

Double insulated tools are equipped with a polarized plug (one blade is wider

than the other). This plug will ﬁt in a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug

does not ﬁt fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not ﬁt, contact

a qualiﬁed electrician to install a polarized outlet. Do not change the plug

in any way. Double insulation eliminates the need for the three wire grounded

power cord and grounded power supply system.

Avoid body contact with grounded surfaces such as pipes, radiators, ranges,

and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is

grounded.

Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power

tool will increase the risk of electric shock.

Do not abuse the Power Cord. Never use the Power Cord to carry the tools or

pull the Plug from an outlet. Keep the Power Cord away from heat, oil, sharp

edges, or moving parts. Replace damaged Power Cords immediately. Dam-

aged Power Cords increase the risk of electric shock.

When operating a power tool outside, use an outdoor extension cord marked

“W-A” or “W”. These extension cords are rated for outdoor use, and reduce the

risk of electric shock.

PERSONAL SAFETY

Stay alert. Watch what you are doing, and use common sense when operat-

ing a power tool. Do not use a power tool while tired or under the inﬂuence

of drugs, alcohol, or medication. A moment of inattention while operating power

tools may result in serious personal injury.

Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Contain long hair.

Keep your hair, clothing, and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes,

jewelry, or long hair can be caught in moving parts.

Avoid accidental starting. Be sure the Power Switch is off before plugging

in. Carrying power tools with your ﬁnger on the Power Switch, or plugging in power

tools with the Power Switch on, invites accidents.

Remove adjusting keys or wrenches before turning the power tool on. A

wrench or a key that is left attached to a rotating part of the power tool may result

SKU 94748 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353 PAGE 3

in personal injury.

Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. Proper footing

and balance enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.

Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection. Dust mask, non-skid safety

shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection must be used for appropriate conditions.

TOOL USE AND CARE

Use clamps (not included) or other practical ways to secure and support the

workpiece to a stable platform. Holding the work by hand or against your body

is unstable and may lead to loss of control.

Do not force the tool. Use the correct tool for your application. The correct

tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it is designed.

Do not use the power tool if the Power Switch does not turn it on or off. Any

tool that cannot be controlled with the Power Switch is dangerous and must be

replaced.

Disconnect the Power Cord Plug from the power source before making any

adjustments, changing accessories, or storing the tool. Such preventive safety

measures reduce the risk of starting the tool accidentally.

Store idle tools out of reach of children and other untrained persons. Tools

are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.

Maintain tools with care. Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly main-

tained tools with a sharp cutting edge are less likely to bind and are easier to control.

Do not use a damaged tool. Tag damaged tools “Do not use” until repaired.

Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, and any

other condition that may affect the tool’s operation. If damaged, have the tool

serviced before using. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained tools.

Use only accessories that are recommended by the manufacturer for your

model. Accessories that may be suitable for one tool may become hazardous

when used on another tool.

SERVICE

Tool service must be performed only by qualiﬁed repair personnel. Service or

maintenance performed by unqualiﬁed personnel could result in a risk of injury.

When servicing a tool, use only identical replacement parts. Follow instruc-

tions in the “Inspection, Maintenance, And Cleaning” section of this manual.

Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow maintenance instructions may create

a risk of electric shock or injury.

SKU 94748 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353 PAGE 4

SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES

Hold tool by insulated gripping surfaces when performing an operation where

the cutting tool may contact hidden wiring or its own cord. Contact with a “live”

wire will make exposed metal parts of the tool “live” and shock the operator.

Maintain labels and nameplates on the Belt Sander. These carry important infor-

mation. If unreadable or missing, contact Harbor Freight Tools for a replacement.

Always wear ANSI-approved safety impact eye goggles and heavy work gloves

when using the Belt Sander. Using personal safety devices reduce the risk for

injury. Safety impact eye goggles and heavy work gloves are available from Harbor

Freight Tools.

Maintain a safe working environment. Keep the work area well lit. Make sure

there is adequate surrounding workspace. Always keep the work area free of ob-

structions, grease, oil, trash, and other debris. Do not use a power tool in areas

near ﬂammable chemicals, dusts, and vapors. Do not use this product in a damp

or wet location.

Never leave the Belt Sander unattended when it is plugged into an electrical

outlet. Turn off the tool, and unplug it from its electrical outlet before leaving.

Industrial applications must follow OSHA guidelines.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

Use clamps or a vise to secure and support the workpiece to a stable platform.

Holding the workpiece by hand or against your body is unstable and may lead to

loss of control.

When sanding a large workpiece, make sure its entire length is properly sup-

ported. If necessary, use a roller stand (not included).

When using the Belt Sander, always maintain a ﬁrm grip on the tool with both

hands.

Do not use the Belt Sander if it has been dropped, damaged, left outdoors, or

immersed in liquid.

To avoid electrical shock, do not handle the Belt Sander or its Power Cord

Plug with wet hands.

Make sure the workpiece is free from nails and any other foreign objects which

can damage the tool and/or sandpaper.

Allow the tool to run up to full speed before placing its sandpaper onto a

workpiece. When turning off the Belt Sander, allow the tool to stop on its own.

Always unplug the Belt Sander from its electrical outlet before performing

any inspection, maintenance, or cleaning procedures.

SKU 94748 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353 PAGE 5

15.

WARNING! Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling,

and other construction activities, contain chemicals known (to the State of Califor-

nia) to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of

these chemicals are: lead from lead-based paints, crystalline silica from bricks and

cement or other masonry products, arsenic and chromium from chemically treated

lumber. Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on how often you do this

type of work. To reduce your exposure to these chemicals: work in a well ventilated

area, and work with approved safety equipment, such as those dust masks that are

specially designed to ﬁlter out microscopic particles.

(California Health & Safety Code § 25249.5, et seq.)

16.

17.

18.

WARNING! People with pacemakers should consult their physician(s) before

using this product. Electromagnetic ﬁelds in close proximity to a heart pacemaker

could cause interference to or failure of the pacemaker.

Exposure to aluminum oxide (a dust generated from material removing pro-

cesses) can result in eye, skin and breathing irritation. Always use a NIOSH-

approved respirator and safety goggles. Avoid skin exposure. Proper ventilation of

the work area is required.

WARNING! The warnings and cautions discussed in this manual cannot cover

all possible conditions and situations that may occur. It must be understood by the

operator that common sense and caution are factors which cannot be built into this

product, but must be supplied by the operator.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

GROUNDING

WARNING!

Improperly connecting the grounding wire can result in the risk of electric shock. Check with a qualiﬁed electrician if you are in doubt as to whether the outlet is properly grounded. Do not modify the power cord plug provided with the tool. Never remove the grounding prong from the plug. Do not use the tool if the power cord or plug is damaged. If damaged, have it repaired by a service facility before use. If the plug will not ﬁt the outlet, have a proper outlet installed by a qualiﬁed electrician.

GROUNDED TOOLS: TOOLS WITH THREE PRONG PLUGS

SKU 94748 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353 PAGE 6

Tools marked with “Grounding Required” have a three wire cord and three prong

grounding plug. The plug must be connected to a properly grounded outlet. If

the tool should electrically malfunction or break down, grounding provides a low

resistance path to carry electricity away from the user, reducing the risk of electric

shock. (See Figure A.)

The grounding prong in the plug is connected through the green wire inside the

cord to the grounding system in the tool. The green wire in the cord must be the

only wire connected to the tool’s grounding system and must never be attached to

an electrically “live” terminal. (See Figure A.)

Your tool must be plugged into an appropriate outlet, properly installed and grounded

in accordance with all codes and ordinances. The plug and outlet should look like

those in the following illustration. (See Figure A.)

FIGURE A

FIGURE B

DOUBLE INSULATED TOOLS: TOOLS WITH TWO PRONG PLUGS

Tools marked “Double Insulated” do not require grounding. They have a special

double insulation system which satisﬁes OSHA requirements and complies with

the applicable standards of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., the Canadian Standard

Association, and the National Electrical Code. (See Figure B.)

Double insulated tools may be used in either of the 120 volt outlets shown in the

preceding illustration. (See Figure B.)

EXTENSION CORDS

SKU 94748 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353 PAGE 7

Grounded tools require a three wire extension cord. Double Insulated tools can

use either a two or three wire extension cord.

As the distance from the supply outlet increases, you must use a heavier gauge

extension cord. Using extension cords with inadequately sized wire causes a seri-

ous drop in voltage, resulting in loss of power and possible tool damage.

(See Figure C, next page.)

The smaller the gauge number of the wire, the greater the capacity of the cord. For

example, a 14 gauge cord can carry a higher current than a 16 gauge cord.

(See Figure C.)

When using more than one extension cord to make up the total length, make sure

each cord contains at least the minimum wire size required. (See Figure C.)

If you are using one extension cord for more than one tool, add the nameplate am-

peres and use the sum to determine the required minimum cord size.

(See Figure C.)

If you are using an extension cord outdoors, make sure it is marked with the sufﬁx

“W-A” (“W” in Canada) to indicate it is acceptable for outdoor use.

Make sure your extension cord is properly wired and in good electrical condition.

Always replace a damaged extension cord or have it repaired by a qualiﬁed electri-

cian before using it.

Protect your extension cords from sharp objects, excessive heat, and damp or wet

areas.

RECOMMENDED MINIMUM WIRE GAUGE FOR EXTENSION CORDS*

(120 OR 240 VOLT)

NAMEPLATE

EXTENSION CORD LENGTH

AMPERES

(at full load)

0 – 2.0 18 18 18 18 16

2.1 – 3.4 18 18 18 16 14

3.5 – 5.0 18 18 16 14 12

5.1 – 7.0 18 16 14 12 12

7.1 – 12.0 18 14 12 10 -

12.1 – 16.0 14 12 10 - -

16.1 – 20.0 12 10 - - -

FIGURE C

25 Feet 50 Feet 75 Feet 100 Feet 150 Feet

* Based on limiting the line voltage drop to ﬁve volts at 150% of the rated amperes.

SYMBOLOGY

Double Insulated

Canadian Standards Association

Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

n0 xxxx/min.

SKU 94748 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353 PAGE 8

Volts Alternating Current

Amperes

No Load Revolutions per Minute (RPM)

UNPACKING

When unpacking, check to make sure that the item is intact and undamaged. If any parts are missing or broken, please call Harbor Freight Tools at the number shown on the cover of this manual as soon as possible.

PRODUCT FEATURES

SPEED ADJUSTER

FIGURE E

FRONT HANDLE

(31)

LOCK KNOB

(55)

POWER CORD/PLUG

(15)

VACUUM BAG

LOCK BUTTON

POWER SWITCH

(27)

(65)

(56)

(14)

LEVER

(39)

ADJUSTING

KNOB

(54)

SANDING BELT

(66)

Power Switch (27): The two-ﬁnger Power Switch is a simple “ON/OFF” switch that

when pressed and held turns on the Belt Sander. To turn off the Sander, release

pressure on the Power Switch and the switch will automatically return up to its “OFF”

position. (See Figure E.)

Lock Button (14): The Belt Sander features a Lock Button that allows continu-

ous operation without constantly holding the Power Switch (27). To lock the Power

Switch to its “ON” position, squeeze the Power Switch, depress the Lock Button,

and release the Power Switch. To unlock the Power Switch, squeeze the Power

Switch, and then release the Power Switch without depressing the Lock Button.

(See Figure E.)

Power Cord/Plug (15): The Power Cord/Plug must only be connected to a 120

volt, grounded, electrical outlet. Do not pull on the Cord to remove the Plug from

its electrical outlet. (See Figure E.)

SKU 94748 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353 PAGE 9

Speed Adjuster (56): The Speed Adjuster features settings from “1 to 6”, with

“1” being the lowest speed at approximately 1,800 RPM and “6” being the highest

speed at approximately 2,650 RPM. Rotate the Speed Adjuster to select the desired

speed at which the Belt Sander will run. (See Figure E.)

Front Handle (31) and Lock Knob (55): The Front Handle may be adjusted to

three different positions. To do so, loosen the Lock Knob. Move the Front Handle

to the desired position. Then, retighten the Lock Knob. (See Figure E.)

Adjusting Knob (54): When the Sanding Belt (66) is properly tracking, the Belt

will remain centered and will run smoothly over the rollers of the tool. To adjust

the tracking of the Sanding Belt, rotate the Adjusting Knob clockwise or counter

clockwise. The Sanding Belt is properly tracking if, when turned on, the Belt does

not slip off the rollers. (See Figure E.)

Sanding Belt (66): The Sanding Belt should always be kept clean of sanding de-

bris and properly installed in the Belt Sander. Using dull Sanding Belts will place

an excessive load on the Belt Sander and increases the possibility of burning the

workpiece.

To install the Sanding Belt:

Unplug the Belt Sander from its electrical outlet.

Lay the Belt Sander down on its side with its Lever (39) facing upward.

(See Figure E.)

Pull out on the Lever (39). (See Figure E.)

Insert the Sanding Belt (66) around both rollers, making sure the arrow on the

inside of the Belt is pointing in the direction of rotation as indicated on the housing of the tool. (See Figure E.)

Center the Sanding Belt (66) over the rollers and bottom plate of the Belt Sander.

Then move the Lever (39) back in its original position to restore belt tension.

(See Figure E.)

To remove the Sanding Belt:

Place the Belt Sander on its side with its Lever (39) facing upward.

(See Figure E.)

Pull out on the Lever (39). Then, remove the Sanding Belt (66).

(See Figure E.)

SKU 94748 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353 PAGE 10

Vacuum Bag (65): To install the Vacuum Bag, insert the Bag securely onto the dust

port of the Belt Sander. To empty the Vacuum Bag, unzip the Bag at its bottom, and

shake the sanding debris into a proper waste container.

(See Figure E.)

+ 22 hidden pages