Need platen for old sears belt sander

[Howard Pollack]

Hi-
I need a new platen (wear plate) for an old sears 4" belt sander (model #315.11782) and Sears no longer stocks them. Does anyone have an idea about how to get one or substitute something for the original? Thanks.
-Howard

[Rick Lizek]

http://www.industrialabrasives.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=Graphite
Graphite coated canvas. That's what is being used now on sanders.

[Howard Pollack]

Thanks, but the metal plate that the graphite coated canvas would be attached to is all torn up. -Howard

[Jamie Buxton]

The platen on my old belt sander is essentially a piece of sheet metal with a bend near one end, and a couple of holes through for screws that hold it to the sander. When my old one wore through, I made a new one with some random piece of sheet metal. Took maybe ten minutes, has worked for years. It might have even been a piece of a tin can.

[Rick Lizek]

You're missing the point. The graphite pad replaces the metal plate. A lot of Sanders use the graphite instead of the metal plate.

[Howard Pollack]

OK. That solves the problem. Thanks to all.
-Howard