How to Replace the Flat Shoe on a Makita Belt Sander

The flat shoe is the platform that the sanding belt rides against. It provides a flat, solid surface to press the sander against while sanding. Over time, the shoe will wear, resulting in a rounded sanding surface. If it is worn in the rear, near the bend in the metal, it can break off.

Let's get started.

REMOVING THE FLAT SHOE   1. Remove the abrasive belt.

a. Hold the sander in an upright position (with the roller pulley facing the ceiling).

b. Press the roller pulley toward the rear of the sander to retract the spring.

c. Slide the abrasive belt off the rear pulley.

d. Release tension on the roller pulley.

e. Remove the abrasive belt from the sander.

  2. Remove the flat shoe.

a. Remove the screw securing the flat shoe to the gear housing.

b. Remove the flat shoe.

INSTALLING THE NEW FLAT SHOE

  3. Install the flat shoe.

a. Install the new flat shoe onto the sander.

b. Align the opening on the flat shoe with the mounting hole on the gear housing.

c. Secure the flat shoe with the screw.

REASSEMBLING THE UNIT

  4. Reinstall the abrasive belt.

a. Loop one end of the abrasive belt around the rear pulley.

b. Press the roller pulley toward the rear pulley to retract the spring.

c. Loop the other end of the abrasive belt around the roller pulley.