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Operating Instructions and Parts Manual
Combination Belt/Disc Sander
Model 31A
WMH TOOL GROUP, Inc.
2420 Vantage Drive
Elgin, Illinois 60124 Part No. M-0460267
Ph.: 800-274-6848 Revision G1 6/08
www.powermatic.com Copyright © 2008 WMH Tool Group, Inc.
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Warranty and Service WMH Tool Group, Inc., warrants every product it sells. If one of our tools needs service or repair, one of our Authorized Service Centers located throughout the United States can give you quick service. In most cases, any of these WMH Tool Group Authorized Service Centers can authorize warranty repair, assist you in obtaining parts, or perform routine maintenance and ® major repair on your POWERMATIC tools. For the name of an Authorized Service Center in your area call 1
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Table of Contents Warranty and Service ..............................................................................................................................2 Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................................3 Warning...................................................................................................................................................4 Introduction ......
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Warning 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
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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 starti
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Introduction This manual is provided by WMH Tool Group, Inc. covering the safe operation and maintenance procedures for a Powermatic Model 31A Combination Belt/Disc Sander. This manual contains instructions on installation, safety precautions, general operating procedures, maintenance instructions and parts breakdown. This machine has been designed and constructed to provide years of trouble free operation if used in accordance with instructions set forth in this manual. If there are any qu
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Dimensions Figure 1 7
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1 Miter Gauge Assembly Unpacking 1 Bag of Fasteners, contains: 2 Socket Head Cap Screws, M10x25 – AA Open shipping container and check for shipping damage. Report any damage immediately to 4 Hex Head Screws, M8 x 25 – BB your distributor and shipping agent. Do not 4 Lock Washers, M8 – CC discard any shipping material until the Sander is 4 Flat Washers, M8 – DD assembled and running properly. 2 Flat Washers, M10 – EE Compare the contents of your container with the 1 Owner'
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Assembly Tools required: wrenches – 10, 13 and 17mm hex (Allen) wrench – 8mm Cross-point screwdriver Installing Sander on Stand Refer to Figure 3: 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 stand. 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 – part no. 708118 – is available from WMH Tool Group.) 2
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Installing and Tracking Abrasive Belt To install the abrasive belt, proceed as follows Refer to Figures 5 and 6: 1. Loosen the knob (A) and swing the belt end guard (B) out of position. 2. Remove the side cover by unscrewing the two knobs holding it, and sliding the tabs of the side cover out of the slots of the sander. 3. Loosen the tension knob (C). This will lower the top drum, providing slack for installing the abrasive belt. 4. Slide the abrasive belt onto the drums until it
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2. Insert the two M10x25 socket head cap screws (AA), with two M10 flat washers (EE), through the fence base and into the threaded holes on the pivot plate. 3. Tighten the screws with an 8mm hex wrench. 4. Check that the gap between fence and sanding belt is about 1/16”. If it is greater than 1/16”, loosen (do not remove) the four screws on the sides of the fence assembly with a hex wrench, and push the fence toward the belt until the proper gap is attained. 5. Re-tighten the four
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Dust Outlet and Cord Plate Refer to Figure 10: 1. Install the dust outlet using the four M6 x 12 pan head flanged screws (FF). 2. Single Phase model: Feed the electrical plug through the hole in the stand, and slide the cord plate through also. Secure the cord plate to the stand using the two M5x12 pan head screws (GG) as shown. Switch (Single Phase Model) Refer to Figure 11: Figure 10 1. Place the push button switch into the rectangular opening from inside the stand. 2. Secure
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Converting from 230 Volt to 460 Volt (Three Phase Only) Consult the wiring diagram inside the starter box cover. A diagram is also included on page 29 of this manual. The Jointer must comply with all local and national codes after being wired. 1. Remove the starter box cover and adjust the dial on the relay (see Figure 12) as close as possible to the amperage of the Jointer motor at 460V, as listed on the motor plate. 2. Move the fuse (Figure 12) from the 230V slot to the 460V slot.
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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, does not come into contact with the guard or table, and the abrasive remains firmly adhered to the sander’s metal disc. Turn the motor on and check for proper rotation direction of the belts. The sanding belt should move from the idler pulley towa
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A zero-degree stop screw (D) is located behind the disc. The block should be set for quick placement of the table to the zero position (90 degree table). The block must be swung out of position for the table to be tilted downward. If major adjustment of the zero-degree stop is necessary, loosen the socket head cap screws (E) and raise or lower the bracket. For fine adjustment, loosen the hex nut (F) and turn the stop screw (D) in or out as needed. Re-tighten hex nut (F). Periodically
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Operation The belt and disc sander can be equipped with a variety of abrasives and grit sizes to handle a wide variety of materials, from soft woods to hardened steel. It can be used to rapidly remove material and produce a mirror finish. Using various types of fixtures, they can be used to sand template forms, angles, freehand contours, and flats on edges, surfaces and ends. Figure 18 Template Forms A template similar to that shown in Figure 18 can be made to facilitate sanding
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The chart on page 19 lists the various grits and materials used and lists the grit symbols. It is generally better to start with a slightly coarser abrasive than would seem practical because it will give faster material removal, generate less heat, and will sand more freely. As it dulls, it will tend to act like a finer abrasive. Too often, the user will expect one belt or disc to take care of all situations; however, the materials to be sanded, the desired finish and the amount of mat
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Maintenance Before doing maintenance on the sander, disconnect it from the electrical supply by pulling out the plug or switching off the main switch! Failure to comply may cause serious injury. Make periodic or regular inspections to ensure that your sander is properly adjusted, that all screws are tight, the belt is in good condition, that dust has not collected in the motor or electrical enclosures and there are no loose or worn electrical fittings or wiring.
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Guide to Sanding Belts and Discs 19
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Troubleshooting Trouble Probable Cause Remedy Disconnected from power source. Check connection to source. Make sure power source matches Incorrect voltage. voltage of sander, as shown on motor Sander will not start. name plate. Switch is not activating. Repair or replace switch. Motor is faulty. Repair or replace motor. Raise platen to 1/32” beyond the apex Platen is shifted or worn. of the drum. See page 14. Abrasive belt won’t track properly. Belt is stretched unevenly. Replac
