RE

Richard Evans

14/05/2008 2:34 PM

Belt sander behavior

I bought a new Craftsman belt sander yesterday, top of the line
model.

When I pulled the trigger, the motor hummed briefly then the belt
*slowly* came up to speed. While running, if I let off on the trigger
it wouldn't restart until it had coasted to a complete stop.

I've had several belt sanders and I expect instant response to the
trigger. I took it back and swapped it for another one. It does the
same thing.

So, did I get two faulty units or is this some new "feechur?"

The Sears clerk didn't comment when I described the symptoms.

Feature or flaw, it's going back, and this time for a refund. I just
don't see this behavior being useful in this tool.


This topic has 21 replies

RC

Robatoy

in reply to Richard Evans on 14/05/2008 2:34 PM

14/05/2008 5:59 PM

On May 14, 8:21=A0pm, "Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote:
> "Robatoy" wrote:
> >Nope. 36 grit on a Milwaukee...and I'll whoop anybody's ass.
>
> You sure you want to take on my Choo-Choo /w/ 24 grit belts?
>
> Lew

That would be a challenge.

RC

Robatoy

in reply to Richard Evans on 14/05/2008 2:34 PM

14/05/2008 4:01 PM

On May 14, 4:43=A0pm, "Micky" <[email protected]> wrote:
> "Richard Evans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> news:[email protected]...
>
>
>
> >I bought a =A0new Craftsman belt sander yesterday, top of the line
> > model.
>
> > When I pulled the trigger, the motor hummed briefly then the belt
> > *slowly* came up to speed. While running, if I let off on the trigger
> > it wouldn't restart until it had coasted to a complete stop.
>
> > I've had several belt sanders and I expect instant response to the
> > trigger. I took it back and swapped it for another one. It does the
> > same thing.
>
> > So, did I get two faulty units or is this some new "feechur?"
>
> > The Sears clerk didn't comment when I described the symptoms.
>
> > Feature or flaw, it's going back, and this time for a refund. I just
> > don't see this behavior being useful in this tool.
>
> No good fer racing then?

Nope. 36 grit on a Milwaukee...and I'll whoop anybody's ass.

Cc

"Charley"

in reply to Richard Evans on 14/05/2008 2:34 PM

15/05/2008 3:42 PM


"Richard Evans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Richard Evans <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >>
> >>"Richard Evans" wrote
> >>
> >>> It's not mentioned on the box or in the manual, so I'm guessing it's
> >>> not an intentional feechur.
> >>
> >>Here is one Craftsman model that does advertise/mention "soft start":
> >>
>
>>http://shop2.aol.ca/shop/product--catId_1002839__locale_en__productId_2673
634.html
> >
> >I don't see a model number on this one, so don't know if it's the
> >same. It looks like mine, except mine is red.
> >
> >Mine is #26819. See it here:
> >
> >http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00926819000P?vName=Tools
> >
> >No mention of soft start
>


> OK, I took it back and spoke to the manager. It does indeed have the
> soft start feature, though he admitted it should've been mentioned in
> the packaging. Apparently, it's common, at least in Craftsman tools.
> The manager said he has it on a router and really likes it, though I
> still can't imagine the benefit of it.
>
> I decided to keep it because at $170 it was far and away the cheapest
> 4" sander I could find.

Soft start is great in routers and other high torque equipment (1/2 inch
drill maybe) as it keeps the tool from "jumping" when you pull the trigger,
but I don't see a need for it in a belt sander. Probably put there as an
enticement to try to snag more sales, but in the process they've created
confusion for new users.

Charley


RC

Robatoy

in reply to Richard Evans on 14/05/2008 2:34 PM

14/05/2008 4:05 PM

On May 14, 2:45=A0pm, "Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote:
> "Richard Evans" wrote in message
> > I bought a =A0new Craftsman belt sander yesterday, top of the line
> > model.
>
> > When I pulled the trigger, the motor hummed briefly then the belt
> > *slowly* came up to speed. While running, if I let off on the trigger
> > it wouldn't restart until it had coasted to a complete stop.
>
> > I've had several belt sanders and I expect instant response to the
> > trigger. I took it back and swapped it for another one. It does the
> > same thing.
>
> > So, did I get two faulty units or is this some new "feechur?"
>
> > The Sears clerk didn't comment when I described the symptoms.
>
> > Feature or flaw, it's going back, and this time for a refund. I just
> > don't see this behavior being useful in this tool.
>
> They do advertise a "soft start" feature ... but not something I would wan=
t
> to put up with in that particular tool either.
>
=2E..just an aside, Swing... what *is * that sound that Lynyrd Skynyrd's
Tuesday's Gone's hook is played in? Keyboard? Sounds a bit like
string, almost bell-like... hard to tell.

RC

Robatoy

in reply to Richard Evans on 14/05/2008 2:34 PM

15/05/2008 6:27 AM

On May 15, 9:19=A0am, "Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote:
> "Richard Evans" wrote
>
> > It's not mentioned on the box or in the manual, so I'm guessing it's
> > not an intentional feechur.
>
> Here is one Craftsman model that does advertise/mention "soft start":
>
> http://shop2.aol.ca/shop/product--catId_1002839__locale_en__productId...
>
Is it me, or is that the most awkward looking thing ever? Top heavy,
expensive...naaa, I'll stick to my Makeeter... or maybe the baby PC.

MO

Mike O.

in reply to Richard Evans on 14/05/2008 2:34 PM

15/05/2008 8:22 PM

On Wed, 14 May 2008 16:05:35 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy
<[email protected]> wrote:

>> They do advertise a "soft start" feature ... but not something I would want
>> to put up with in that particular tool either.
>>
>...just an aside, Swing... what *is * that sound that Lynyrd Skynyrd's
>Tuesday's Gone's hook is played in? Keyboard? Sounds a bit like
>string, almost bell-like... hard to tell.

According to the liner notes, it's Roosevelt Cook playing a Mellotron.
It's about the earliest keyboard instrument that could use sampled
sounds. So early that the samples were on tape. A lot of rock bands
from the Beatles to the Moody Blues used them back in the day.

Originally they were built in England but there is a Canadian company
building them and supplying parts now. They also have CDs with the
original Mellotron sounds.

Mike O.

JP

Jay Pique

in reply to Richard Evans on 14/05/2008 2:34 PM

14/05/2008 5:34 PM

On May 14, 8:32=A0pm, Jay Pique <[email protected]> wrote:
> On May 14, 8:21=A0pm, "Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > "Robatoy" wrote:
> > >Nope. 36 grit on a Milwaukee...and I'll whoop anybody's ass.
>
> > You sure you want to take on my Choo-Choo /w/ 24 grit belts?
>
> 24 grit?! =A0When I put even a 36g on the widebelt I (literally) get
> tear-out! =A024 must be downright nasty.

Disclaimer: This is on end-grain butcher-block slabs.

WRT the soft-start on your belt sander....I don't have it on any of
mine, and I'm sure I wouldn't want it.

JP

RE

Richard Evans

in reply to Richard Evans on 14/05/2008 2:34 PM

15/05/2008 10:44 AM

"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>"Richard Evans" wrote
>
>> It's not mentioned on the box or in the manual, so I'm guessing it's
>> not an intentional feechur.
>
>Here is one Craftsman model that does advertise/mention "soft start":
>
>http://shop2.aol.ca/shop/product--catId_1002839__locale_en__productId_2673634.html

I don't see a model number on this one, so don't know if it's the
same. It looks like mine, except mine is red.

Mine is #26819. See it here:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00926819000P?vName=Tools

No mention of soft start

Mm

"Micky"

in reply to Richard Evans on 14/05/2008 2:34 PM

14/05/2008 9:43 PM


"Richard Evans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I bought a new Craftsman belt sander yesterday, top of the line
> model.
>
> When I pulled the trigger, the motor hummed briefly then the belt
> *slowly* came up to speed. While running, if I let off on the trigger
> it wouldn't restart until it had coasted to a complete stop.
>
> I've had several belt sanders and I expect instant response to the
> trigger. I took it back and swapped it for another one. It does the
> same thing.
>
> So, did I get two faulty units or is this some new "feechur?"
>
> The Sears clerk didn't comment when I described the symptoms.
>
> Feature or flaw, it's going back, and this time for a refund. I just
> don't see this behavior being useful in this tool.

No good fer racing then?

Sk

"Swingman"

in reply to Richard Evans on 14/05/2008 2:34 PM

15/05/2008 8:19 AM


"Richard Evans" wrote

> It's not mentioned on the box or in the manual, so I'm guessing it's
> not an intentional feechur.

Here is one Craftsman model that does advertise/mention "soft start":

http://shop2.aol.ca/shop/product--catId_1002839__locale_en__productId_2673634.html


--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 5/14/08
KarlC@ (the obvious)

LH

"Lew Hodgett"

in reply to Richard Evans on 14/05/2008 2:34 PM

15/05/2008 12:59 AM

"Jay Pique" wrote:

>24 grit?! When I put even a 36g on the widebelt I (literally) get
tear-out! 24 must be downright nasty.

Think fiberglass and CDX you want to laminate with fiberglass.

Lew

LH

"Lew Hodgett"

in reply to Richard Evans on 14/05/2008 2:34 PM

15/05/2008 12:21 AM


"Robatoy" wrote:


>Nope. 36 grit on a Milwaukee...and I'll whoop anybody's ass.

You sure you want to take on my Choo-Choo /w/ 24 grit belts?

Lew

JP

Jay Pique

in reply to Richard Evans on 14/05/2008 2:34 PM

14/05/2008 5:32 PM

On May 14, 8:21=A0pm, "Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote:
> "Robatoy" wrote:
> >Nope. 36 grit on a Milwaukee...and I'll whoop anybody's ass.
>
> You sure you want to take on my Choo-Choo /w/ 24 grit belts?

24 grit?! When I put even a 36g on the widebelt I (literally) get
tear-out! 24 must be downright nasty.

JP

Lr

"Leon"

in reply to Richard Evans on 14/05/2008 2:34 PM

14/05/2008 4:10 PM


"Richard Evans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I bought a new Craftsman belt sander yesterday, top of the line
> model.
>
> When I pulled the trigger, the motor hummed briefly then the belt
> *slowly* came up to speed. While running, if I let off on the trigger
> it wouldn't restart until it had coasted to a complete stop.
>
> I've had several belt sanders and I expect instant response to the
> trigger. I took it back and swapped it for another one. It does the
> same thing.
>
> So, did I get two faulty units or is this some new "feechur?"
>
> The Sears clerk didn't comment when I described the symptoms.
>
> Feature or flaw, it's going back, and this time for a refund. I just
> don't see this behavior being useful in this tool.

Like Swingman asked, perhaps a soft start feature or maybe an Electronic
Speed Control. I have several tools that act in a similar manner when the
Electronic Speed Control is changed.

RC

Robatoy

in reply to Richard Evans on 14/05/2008 2:34 PM

15/05/2008 6:36 PM

On May 15, 9:22=A0pm, Mike O. <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Wed, 14 May 2008 16:05:35 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy
>
> <[email protected]> wrote:
> >> They do advertise a "soft start" feature ... but not something I would =
want
> >> to put up with in that particular tool either.
>
> >...just an aside, Swing... what *is * that sound that Lynyrd Skynyrd's
> >Tuesday's Gone's hook is played in? Keyboard? =A0Sounds a bit like
> >string, almost bell-like... hard to tell.
>
> According to the liner notes, it's Roosevelt Cook playing a Mellotron.
> It's about the earliest keyboard instrument that could use sampled
> sounds. =A0So early that the samples were on tape. =A0A lot of rock bands
> from the Beatles to the Moody Blues used them back in the day.
>
> Originally they were built in England but there is a Canadian company
> building them and supplying parts now. =A0 They also have CDs with the
> original Mellotron sounds.
>
> Mike O.

Ahhhhh yes..... I just couldn't place it. (No liner notes.) Thanks for
clearing that up for me.

MO

Mike O.

in reply to Richard Evans on 14/05/2008 2:34 PM

16/05/2008 12:07 AM

On Thu, 15 May 2008 18:36:26 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy
<[email protected]> wrote:

>> >...just an aside, Swing... what *is * that sound that Lynyrd Skynyrd's
>> >Tuesday's Gone's hook is played in? Keyboard?  Sounds a bit like
>> >string, almost bell-like... hard to tell.
>>
>> According to the liner notes, it's Roosevelt Cook playing a Mellotron.

>
>Ahhhhh yes..... I just couldn't place it. (No liner notes.) Thanks for
>clearing that up for me.

Speaking of samples...have you heard Kid Rock's All Summer Long?
I heard it on the radio the other day and didn't know who did it but
saw him on Letterman the other night. He samples Werewolves Of
London, Sweet Home Alabama and Fly Like An Eagle in this song.
Bob magically turned three pretty good tunes into one mediocre song.

Mike O.

RE

Richard Evans

in reply to Richard Evans on 14/05/2008 2:34 PM

14/05/2008 6:56 PM

"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>"Richard Evans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>>I bought a new Craftsman belt sander yesterday, top of the line
>> model.
>>
>> When I pulled the trigger, the motor hummed briefly then the belt
>> *slowly* came up to speed. While running, if I let off on the trigger
>> it wouldn't restart until it had coasted to a complete stop.
>>
>> I've had several belt sanders and I expect instant response to the
>> trigger. I took it back and swapped it for another one. It does the
>> same thing.
>>
>> So, did I get two faulty units or is this some new "feechur?"
>>
>> The Sears clerk didn't comment when I described the symptoms.
>>
>> Feature or flaw, it's going back, and this time for a refund. I just
>> don't see this behavior being useful in this tool.
>
>Like Swingman asked, perhaps a soft start feature or maybe an Electronic
>Speed Control. I have several tools that act in a similar manner when the
>Electronic Speed Control is changed.
>

It has a variable speed feature, but this trigger lag is evident at
all speeds.

RE

Richard Evans

in reply to Richard Evans on 14/05/2008 2:34 PM

15/05/2008 3:19 PM

Richard Evans <[email protected]> wrote:

>"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>
>>"Richard Evans" wrote
>>
>>> It's not mentioned on the box or in the manual, so I'm guessing it's
>>> not an intentional feechur.
>>
>>Here is one Craftsman model that does advertise/mention "soft start":
>>
>>http://shop2.aol.ca/shop/product--catId_1002839__locale_en__productId_2673634.html
>
>I don't see a model number on this one, so don't know if it's the
>same. It looks like mine, except mine is red.
>
>Mine is #26819. See it here:
>
>http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00926819000P?vName=Tools
>
>No mention of soft start

OK, I took it back and spoke to the manager. It does indeed have the
soft start feature, though he admitted it should've been mentioned in
the packaging. Apparently, it's common, at least in Craftsman tools.
The manager said he has it on a router and really likes it, though I
still can't imagine the benefit of it.

I decided to keep it because at $170 it was far and away the cheapest
4" sander I could find.

Sk

"Swingman"

in reply to Richard Evans on 14/05/2008 2:34 PM

14/05/2008 1:45 PM


"Richard Evans" wrote in message
> I bought a new Craftsman belt sander yesterday, top of the line
> model.
>
> When I pulled the trigger, the motor hummed briefly then the belt
> *slowly* came up to speed. While running, if I let off on the trigger
> it wouldn't restart until it had coasted to a complete stop.
>
> I've had several belt sanders and I expect instant response to the
> trigger. I took it back and swapped it for another one. It does the
> same thing.
>
> So, did I get two faulty units or is this some new "feechur?"
>
> The Sears clerk didn't comment when I described the symptoms.
>
> Feature or flaw, it's going back, and this time for a refund. I just
> don't see this behavior being useful in this tool.

They do advertise a "soft start" feature ... but not something I would want
to put up with in that particular tool either.


--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 5/14/08
KarlC@ (the obvious)

Lr

"Leon"

in reply to Richard Evans on 14/05/2008 2:34 PM

15/05/2008 10:43 AM


"Richard Evans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Leon" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>
> It has a variable speed feature, but this trigger lag is evident at
> all speeds.

If the trigger controls the variable speed that might normal if the sander
also has ESC, Electronic speed control. Typically these type tools monitor
the speed of the tool to the location of the trigger and "cruise control" so
to speak. Your are sorta flying by wire.

RE

Richard Evans

in reply to Richard Evans on 14/05/2008 2:34 PM

14/05/2008 8:56 PM

Jay Pique <[email protected]> wrote:

>On May 14, 8:32 pm, Jay Pique <[email protected]> wrote:
>> On May 14, 8:21 pm, "Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> > "Robatoy" wrote:
>> > >Nope. 36 grit on a Milwaukee...and I'll whoop anybody's ass.
>>
>> > You sure you want to take on my Choo-Choo /w/ 24 grit belts?
>>
>> 24 grit?!  When I put even a 36g on the widebelt I (literally) get
>> tear-out!  24 must be downright nasty.
>
>Disclaimer: This is on end-grain butcher-block slabs.
>
>WRT the soft-start on your belt sander....I don't have it on any of
>mine, and I'm sure I wouldn't want it.

It's not mentioned on the box or in the manual, so I'm guessing it's
not an intentional feechur.


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