Abranet on a 22x44 drum sander.

[Bob Bergstrom]

First post on the flat work forum. I usually hang out on the turners forum. A friend of mine is using abranet on his drum sander. He cut down the 4 1/2" roll to 3" wide. I have looked on the net and can't find anything but 4 1/2" widths. Nor have I read about anyone else using it. If I get the taper right, can I use 4 1/2" wide rolls on my Performax 22x44 drum sander. Would the slant of the seams be too horizontal and liable to catch? Any thought appreciated.

[David Kumm]

I would call Super Max for advice. Dave

[Mike Heidrick]

Just get the length and the tapered cuts right and you will be fine.

[John Coloccia]

How's it working for him? Does it last longer? I think you'll be fine with the 4.5" width. This sounds like a great idea. I need to try that!

[Bob Bergstrom]

Thanks everyone. He said he has run over 1000 board feet through using one one strip of 3" wide 80 grit and if it wasn't that the ends of the taper wearing out the grit was still working. He was sanding all white oak.

[Dan Bowman]

I hadn't considered Abranet - maybe it will help with the burn marks. Here's a link for the 4.5" rolls: http://mirka-online.com/index.php/mirka-specialty-abrasives/mirka-abranet-1/mirka-abranet-1.html

[Mike Heidrick]

Use narrow straping tape on the edges.

[keith micinski]

I can't fathom how I have never heard of this stuff before. MAn it seems like a really good solution. I hope I run out of my sandpaper for my drum sander so I can try it.

[John Coloccia]

I can't fathom how I have never heard of this stuff before. MAn it seems like a really good solution. I hope I run out of my sandpaper for my drum sander so I can try it.

I KNEW about Abranet. How dumb am *I* that I never thought to use it on my 22-44?

[Bob Bergstrom]

The stuff my friend was using was rubber backed and about 1/8" thick. I went to a guy that sells the stuff and the only abranet he has or seen is the thin kind that is quite common. The guy who sells it said he uses it all the time on his 16 x 32 performax and he uses sticky back velcro tape on the ends of the drum and it stays very well. The only thing he has to do is clean it with air pressure about as often as sandpaper. I will look into finding the thicker stuff but it sounds like either will do.

[Bob Bergstrom]

I think I've found the Abranet that my friend is using on his drum sander It is call Abranet Heavy Duty. It appears to be thicker and stronger than the usual Abranet. It comes in 2 3/4" rolls and 4 1/2" rolls x 33' long. Here is the link I found I think the 23/4" would work very well and be easier to wrap on the drum.

http://beavertools.com/index.php/mirka/mirka-specialty-abrasives-1/mirka-abranet-2/mirka-abranet-2/hd5bg001803r-mirka-abranet-heavy-duty-2-3-4-in-x-33-ft-mesh-grip-roll-80g-qty-1-17.html

[Kent Chasson]

You may want to contact the manufacturer. Maybe they would make up the width you want, particularly if they think there is a broader market for it.