If the joint is slightly uneven, use a fine abrasive and very light sanding pressure to get it smooth before making the finishing runs. For lengthy work on walls or other vertical surfaces, the sander can be counterbalanced with a length of sash cord, two small pulleys, a light wood frame and a weight the same as or slightly less than the weight of the sander. The frame consists of two pieces leaned against the wall with a third piece nailed across their top ends. The two pulleys are located so the weight on one end of the cord will be out of the way, but will balance the sander fastened to the other end. When starting vertical work, angle the sander so you can see the belt make contact with the material. As the belt touches, level the machine and make the stroke away and to the left. This movement will offset any tendency to cut heavily into the work at the start of the stroke. 10 899713 - 04-12-02.qxd 9/23/02 1:50 PM Page 11 GOOD SANDING TECHNIQUE Getting the feel of your sander is most important in obtaining smooth results with a minimum of labor. You will quickly learn how to start the stroke with a sweeping motion that wil produce the best results. Use a long even stroke without any additional pressure on the machine. Overlap each stroke and vary the length of movement so the results will be even over the entire surface. Always lift the sander from the work before starting and stopping the motor. BE CAREFUL WHEN RUNNING OUT TO THE END OF A BOARD NOT TO LET THE FRONT OF THE MACHINE DROP, as shown in Fig. 6. This will have the effect of rounding the edge. Keep the sander flat on the work surface. Fig. 6 Your sander will do a perfect job for you if you will follow these few suggestions. It works very fast and can do a thorough job in a fraction of the time required by hand sanding. Do not rush the job. Give every surface a thorough working over with each grade of abrasive before changing to finer grits. Always use the abrasive material and grit size recommended for the job at hand. SANDING METAL Belt Sanders may be used to sand metal surfaces to obtain a grained satin finish. Special graphite pads are available to replace the steel shoe on the bottom of the sander. The softness of these pads aids in blending the graining while the sander is being passed over the surface. (See the accessories listed in the back of this manual for catalog numbers of these pads.) The 3" wide pad is the proper length for sanders using a 3" . 24" belt, and the 4" wide pad is the proper length for sanders using a 4" . 24" belt. For sanders using shorter belt lengths, cut the pad with scissors so that it is the same length as the steel shoe on the bottom of the sander. To assemble, remove the screws and clamp bar retaining the steel shoe. Replace the steel shoe with the graphite pad and reassemble. 11 899713 - 04-12-02.qxd 9/23/02 1:50 PM Page 12 MAINTENANCE KEEP TOOL CLEAN Periodically blow out all air passages with dry compressed air. All plastic parts should be cleaned with a soft damp cloth. NEVER use solvents to clean plastic parts. They could possibly dissolve or otherwise damage the material. CAUTION: Wear safety glasses while using compressed air. FAILURE TO START Should your tool fail to start, check to make sure the prongs on the cord plug are making good contact in the outlet. Also, check for blown fuses or open circuit breakers in the line. LUBRICATION This tool has been lubricated with a sufficient amount of high grade lubricant for the life of the unit under normal operating conditions. No further lubrication is necessary. FRAME PROTECTOR The frame protector bar is made of hardened steel. It is located, to the left and at the rear of the idler pulley and is fastened to the frame. This bar protects the frame of the machine when tracking the abrasive belt. Always adjust the belt so it moves evenly across (without rubbing) the protective bar. When this bar becomes worn and uneven, replace it with a new one (available from your Porter-Cable Service Center). DRIVE PULLEY The rubber-covered drive pulley at the rear of the machine is crowned or tapered from the center to either side to make the abrasive belt run true and in line with the idler pulley at the front of the machine. After considerable use, the crown will wear away and the belt will begin to run off the side of the pulley and cut into the guide block or frame. When the crown is worn to this extent, have the drive pulley replaced by your Authorized Porter-Cable Service Station. This action can be checked each time the abrasive belt is replaced and tracked. After the belt is tracked to the front pulley, watch it for a few seconds to see that it runs true and stays in place on the back pulley. Avoid getting oil and grease on the rubber cover. It will cause it to fail. BRUSH INSPECTION AND LUBRICATION For your continued safety and electrical protection, brush inspection and replacement on this tool should ONLY be performed by an AUTHORIZED PORTER-CABLE SERVICE STA...