Powermatic 31A User Manual

BELT & DISC SANDER

Model 31A

Instruction Manual & Parts List

M-0460267

(800) 274-6848

www.powermatic.com

This manual has been prepared for the owner and operators of a Powermatic Model 31A Belt & Disc Sander. Its purpose, aside from machine operation, is to promote safety through the use of accepted correct operating and maintenance procedures. Completely read the safety and maintenance instructions before operating or servicing the machine. To obtain maximum life and efficiency from your sander, and to aid in using the machine safely, read this manual thoroughly and follow all instructions carefully.

Warranty & Service

The WMH Tool Group warrants every product it sells. If one of our tools needs service or repair, one of our Authorized Repair Stations located throughout the United States can give you quick service.

In most cases, any one of these WMH Tool Group Repair Stations can authorize warranty repair, assist you in obtaining parts, or perform routine maintenance and major repair on your JET, Performax, Powermatic or Wilton tools.

For the name of an Authorized Repair Station in your area, please call 1-800-274-6848.

More Information

Remember, the WMH Tool Group is consistently adding new products to the line. For complete, up-to-date product information, check with your local WMH Group distributor.

WMH Tool Group Warranty

The WMH Group (including JET, Performax, Powermatic and Wilton brands) makes every effort to assure that its products meet high quality and durability standards and warrants to the original retail consumer/purchaser of our products that each product be free from defects in materials and workmanship as follow: 1 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY ON ALL PRODUCTS UNLESS SPECIFIED OTHERWISE. This Warranty does not apply to defects due directly or indirectly to misuse, abuse, negligence or accidents, normal wear-and-tear, repair or alterations outside our facilities, or to a lack of maintenance.

THE WMH TOOL GROUP LIMITS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES TO THE PERIOD SPECIFIED ABOVE, FROM THE DATE THE PRODUCT WAS PURCHASED AT RETAIL. EXCEPT AS STATED HEREIN, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR MERCHANTIBILITY AND FITNESS ARE EXCLUDED. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG THE IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THE WMH TOOL GROUP SHALL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE FOR DEATH, INJURIES TO PERSONS OR PROPERTY, OR FOR INCIDENTAL, CONTINGENT, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE OF OUR PRODUCTS. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

To take advantage of this warranty, the product or part must be returned for examination, postage prepaid, to an Authorized Repair Station designated by our office. Proof of purchase date and an explanation of the complaint must accompany the merchandise. If our inspection discloses a defect, we will either repair or replace the product, or refund the purchase price if we cannot readily and quickly provide a repair or replacement, if you are willing to accept a refund. We will return repaired product or replacement at WMH's expense, but if it is determined there is no defect, or that the defect resulted from causes not within the scope of WMH's warranty, then the user must bear the cost of storing and returning the product. This warranty gives you specific legal rights; you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

The WMH Tool Group sells through distributors only. Members of the WMH Group reserve the right to effect at any time, without prior notice, those alterations to parts, fittings, and accessory equipment which they may deem necessary for any reason whatsoever.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Safety Rules ............................................................................................................................................................... 4-5

Safety Decal .................................................................................................................................................................. 6

Specifications ................................................................................................................................................................ 7

Receiving....................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Installation & Assembly ................................................................................................................................................. 8

Electrical Connections ............................................................................................................................................ 8

Adjustments................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Abrasive Belt Installation ........................................................................................................................................ 9

Abrasive Belt Alignment.......................................................................................................................................... 9

Platen Adjustment................................................................................................................................................. 10

Sanding Table Adjustment.................................................................................................................................... 10

Work Stop ............................................................................................................................................................. 10

Belt Arm Positioning ............................................................................................................................................. 11

Changing Motor Voltage ....................................................................................................................................... 11

Operating the Sander.................................................................................................................................................. 11

Template Forms.................................................................................................................................................... 11

Fence/Table.......................................................................................................................................................... 12

Types of Operations ............................................................................................................................................. 13

Maintenance................................................................................................................................................................ 13

Lubrication ............................................................................................................................................................ 13

Grit Comparison Chart ................................................................................................................................................ 14

Accessories ................................................................................................................................................................. 14

Troubleshooting........................................................................................................................................................... 15

Parts Lists & Exploded Views: ...............................................................................................................................16-20

Body Assembly ................................................................................................................................................ 16-18

Stand Assembly............................................................................................................................................... 19-20

Electrical Schematics ............................................................................................................................................. 20-23

SAFETY RULES

As with all machines, there is a certain amount of hazard involved with the use of this sander. Use the machine with the respect and caution demanded where safety precautions are concerned. When normal safety precautions are overlooked or ignored, personal injury to the operator can result.

Read, understand and follow the safety and operating instructions found in this manual. Know the limitations and hazards associated with this machine.

Electrical grounding. Make certain that the machine frame is electrically grounded and that a ground lead is included in the incoming electrical service. In cases where a cord and plug are used, make certain that the grounding plug connects to a suitable ground. Follow the grounding procedure indicated in the National Electrical Code.

Eye safety. Wear an approved safety shield, goggles, or glasses to protect eyes. (NOTE: Common eyeglasses are only impact-resistant, they are not safety glasses.)

Personal protection. Before operating the machine, remove tie, rings, watch and other jewelry and roll up sleeves above the elbows. Remove all loose outer clothing and confine long hair. Protective type footwear should be used. Where the noise exceeds the level of exposure allowed in Section 1910.95 of the OSHA Regulations, use hearing protective devices. Do not wear gloves.

Guards. Keep the machine guards in place at all times when the machine is in use. If removed for maintenance purposes, use extreme caution and replace guards on completion of the maintenance task before operating the sander. DO NOT operate the machine with the guards off except for the belt end guard which swings away to allow for contour sanding. Keep that guard in place except when contour sanding and swing it back into position immediately after completing the contour sanding task.

Work area. Keep the floor around the machine clean and free of scrap material, saw dust, oil and other liquids to minimize the danger of tripping or slipping. Make certain the work area is well lighted and that a proper exhaust system is used to minimize dust. Powermatic recommends the use of anti-skid floor strips on the floor area where the operator normally stands and that each machine’s work area be marked off. Provide adequate work space around the machine.

Avoid accidental starting: Make certain motor switch is in off position before connecting power to the machine.

Operator position. Maintain a balanced stance and keep your body under control at all times. Do not over-reach.

Do not stand in line with the belt in the direction that it is moving when the work stop is not in use.

Belt and Disc Direction. Proper belt direction is from the idler pulley towards the drive pulley. Proper disc rotation is counterclockwise facing the disc. CAUTION: Sand on the section of the disc from the center to the left edge. DO NOT use the right hand portion for sanding.

Housekeeping. Before turning on machine, remove all extra equipment such as keys, wrenches, scrap, and cleaning rags away from the machine.

Careless acts. Give the work you are doing your undivided attention. Looking around, carrying on a conversation, and “horseplay” are careless acts that can result in serious injury.

Disconnect machine before performing any service or maintenance.

Hand safety. Keep fingers and hands away from the belt or disc. DO NOT clear sawdust from the table with the

hands; use a brush. On small or thin parts, use a push stick or jig to keep the hands from contacting the abrasive. If using the optional fence, avoid getting fingers too close to the fence to prevent pinching. Never wear gloves while operating the sander.

Machine capacity. Do not try to force the sander to remove material faster than the power available from the drive motor. The use of light pressure on either disc or belt sanding and moving the part back and forth will maximize belt or disc life, help to minimize the chances of an accident and keep the force within the capacity of the drive motor.

Machine adjustments. Make all machine adjustments with power off except belt tracking. Belt tracking should be checked manually before starting the sander, but final adjustment may have to be made after starting up the sander.

Table safety. Be sure the table is locked in position before placing stock on it and that its front edge is within 1/16” or less, of the disc or belt.

Job completion. If the operator leaves the machine area for any reason, the sander should be turned "off" and the abrasive belts should come to a complete stop before his departure. In addition, if the operation is complete, he should clean the sander and the work area. Never clean the sander with power "on" and never use the hands to clear sawdust and debris; use a brush.

Replacement parts. Use only Powermatic or factory authorized replacement parts and accessories; otherwise the warranty and guarantee is null and void.

Misuse. Do not use this Powermatic sander for other than its intended use. If used for other purposes, Powermatic disclaims any real or implied warranty and holds itself harmless for any injury or damage which may result from that use.

If you are not thoroughly familiar with the operation of sanders, obtain advice from your supervisor, instructor or other qualified person.

Drugs, alcohol, medication. Do not operate this machine while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or any medication.

Health hazards. Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling and other construction activities contains chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are: * Lead from lead-based paint. * Crystalline silica from bricks and cement and 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 specifically designed to filter out microscopic particles.

Familiarize yourself with the following safety notices used in this manual:

CAUTION: (This means that if precautions are not heeded, it may result in minor or moderate injury

and/or possible machine damage)

WARNING: (This means that if precautions are not heeded, it could result in serious injury or

possibly even death).

SAFETY: Decal for Model 31A Sander

Familiarize yourself with the location and content of this decal on your machine.

31A-102

SPECIFICATIONS: Model 31A Sander

FIGURE 1

Disc size ..........................................................................................................................................................................12”

Disc speed........................................................................................................................................................... 2378 RPM

Sanding belt size .............................................................................................................................................. 6” W x 48” L

Upper & lower wheel ...........................................................................................................................4-3/8” Dia. x 6-1/4” L

Belt speed ...........................................................................................................................................2409 feet per minute

Motor ...................................................................................................... 1-1/2 HP, 1 Ph, 115/230V, 12/6 Amp, 1750 RPM

Belt position......................................................................................................................................0 , 45, and 90 degrees

Table size – disc......................................................................................................................................... 14-1/2” x 6-1/2”

Disc table tilt ................................................................................................................ 15 degrees up to 45 degrees down

Fence table tilt ...............................................................................................................0 degrees up to 45 degrees down

Fence size .................................................................................................................................................. 13” W x 7-1/2” L

Net weight ............................................................................................................................................................ 246.4 lbs.

NOTE: The above specifications were current at the time this manual was published, but because of our policy of continuous improvement, Powermatic reserves the right to change specifications without notice and without incurring obligations.

RECEIVING

Remove the sander and base and any loose parts from their containers. Check for damage and ensure all parts are intact. Any damage should be reported to your distributor and shipping agent immediately upon discovery. Before proceeding with assembly, read the manual thoroughly; familiarize yourself with correct assembly and maintenance procedures and proper safety precautions.

Contents of crate: 1 base assembly with motor 1 sander body 1 abrasive belt 1 abrasive disc 1 fence assembly 1 hardware bag

The contents of the hardware bag are drawn in Figure 2.

INSTALLATION & ASSEMBLY

Tools required

adjustable wrench (or socket wrench set) hex wrenches

1. If the machine is to be secured to the floor, use high quality lag screws through the four holes inside the bottom of the base. If using a mobile base, be sure to lock the wheels before assembling, operating or making adjustments to the sander. (A mobile base for your sander is available from Powermatic – stock # 708221.)

2. Mount the sander body (A) to the stand (B) with four M8 x 25 hex head screws, four M8 lock washers and four M8 flat washers as shown in Figure 3.

3. The drive belt (C) is already mounted on the drive sheave (D) behind the disc, as shown in Figure 4. However, it should be checked to ensure that it is in the sheave groove.

4. Position the belt (C) around the motor sheave (E) and tension the belt by adjusting the nuts (F) on the tensioning screw.

NOTE: Proper tension is achieved when there is moderate deflection in the belt midway between the two sheaves.

ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS

Wire the sander in accordance with the requirements of the National Electrical Code (ANSI/NFPA70). See wiring diagram on pages 20-21. Make sure your power source matches the rating on the machine’s motor nameplate.

WARNING: Electrical wiring should be done

by a qualified electrician. The machine must be properly grounded to help avoid electrical shock and associated hazards including possible death.

ADJUSTMENTS

Before putting power to the sander, inspect the machine thoroughly. Check to ensure that all screws are tight, all mechanical functions work freely, belt runs freely and tracks properly, and the disc runs freely and does not come into contact with the guard or table.

Turn the motor on and check for proper rotation direction of the belts. The sanding belt should move from the idler pulley toward the drive pulley while the disc should rotate counter-clockwise with the operator facing the disc. Run the sander without sanding for a short period to ensure the belt tracks properly and the disc adhesive sticks properly to the disc.

ABRASIVE BELT INSTALLATION

To install or replace an abrasive belt, proceed as follows (Figures 5 and 6):

1. Loosen the knob (A) and swing the belt end guard (B) out of position.

2. Remove the side guard (C) by loosening and removing the two screws holding it. Release tension on the belt by loosening the tension knob (E) at the back of the belt arm. Loosen the tracking screw (F) on the side of the belt arm and move the drum forward.

3. Slide the worn sanding belt off the idler and driving drums and install a new belt.

4. Retighten the belt tension screw (E) and tracking screw (F). Check the tracking manually to ensure the belt tracks properly. Put the side guard (C) back on and secure with the screws. Swing the end guard (B) back into position and re-tighten the knob (A).

ABRASIVE BELT ALIGNMENT

1. To properly align the abrasive belt, tighten the belt tension screw (E) until the belt is relatively tight. See Figure 5.

2. Manually rotate the belt with one hand while at the same time adjusting the tracking screws with the other hand until the belt is tracking in the center of the idler and driving pulley. Caution is necessary since excessive tension can stretch a belt to the point where it will not track.

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