Can the variable speed switch for the dewalt DW431 belt sander be bypassed. Components are obsolete and do not need it to be variable speed drive

efs_perpends

• 1997 Answers
• Posted on Apr 02, 2009

SOURCE: BROKEN RUBBER BELT FOR BELT SANDER

Maybe you can use a linked belt to replace it. Check the width of the old drive belt, and give these folks a call: Lee Valley

SOURCE: The belt slips off my Belt Sander

All sander will have two adjustments. The first is to release the sanding belt by retracting the position of one of the rollers. The second adjustment moves one of the rollers belt tension from side to side. The roller angular position is changed, sometime by a single knob or screw, and sometimes by two separate adjusting screws.

SOURCE: broken drive belt

Take the broken belt to an industrial supply house or Ball Bearing supply house for a replacement.

SOURCE: I have a Canadian tire model 55-3550-2 belt/disc

I went to a bearing/powertransmission supplier. The number on the belt was all they needed. Picked up a new belt for $6.50.

SOURCE: broken drive belt on belt sander

My answer comes almost a year after the original question, but I'll post it anyway for those who end up here after a search.
Black & Decker no longer supplies drive belts for the BR400 sander, but you can get a replacement elsewhere if you know what to ask for.
The belt is a synchronous, single-sided "XL" series belt, and mine had 120XL031 printed on it. The belt width is 0.31in or 5/16in or 7.9mm. Its pitch (distance from tooth to tooth) is 0.20in or 1/5in or 5mm. Its total height is 0.09in, and tooth height is 0.045in. It has 60 teeth, making the total length 12in.
I found a replacement at sdp-si.com, part number A 6R 3-060031.
Look here for timing belts (inch), then narrow the search for single-sided, .200 (XL) pitch, 60 grooves, 5/16 width.