the disappearing drive belt trick

[jbmaine]

Hi all,
  so I'm doing some sanding with my Porter Cable 333 VS palm sander and I feel a thump. I look and the pad is free wheeling. I pull the pad off and the drive belt (o ring) is gone. I take the sander apart and don't see it. I check the shop vac , it's not in there either. I ordered a new one, and can sand by hand until it gets here, but it bugs me I couldn't find the broken one. It has to be somewhere but darned if I can find it.
                      O well, I guess this is one of life's little mysteries.
                                                     This is Jim signing off from my wood shop's Bermuda Triangle

[Phil Thien]

Mine was translucent, not black. If you are looking for a black O ring, you will miss it.

[jbmaine]

Thanks Phil,
  I did another search, still no joy.
  I did find a machine screw that I looked for months ago. I'm sure what"s left of the drive belt will turn up someday. Make's my think it's time to give my shop a really good cleaning.
                 Jim

[Stwood_]

What you have (had) there is an evaporating drive belt. When it destructs,  it automatically gets rid of itself, saving those steps to the shop trash can.