Going to build a large drum sander want your comments

[Josh Goldsmith]

Well i decided to put off some of my other projects and start something different. I decided to build a large drum sander. I am building it because i can't afford 1k+ for a tool i will use sometimes. I know how a sander works and have access to all sorts of tool a common person wont have. I am going to make it minimium of 22" wide about 1 1/2hp - 2hp and also make it have a conveyor belt work too. Before i start i wanted your opininions and for those who have tried something similiar i would like your does and don'ts. I will definately post pics when i start. thanks

Josh

[Michael Ballent]

I have seen someone on the internet make on of these themselves... Seem to remember that they made the drum out of plywood.... Rounded it on the lathe then mounted it to the assembly with sandpaper below and lowered the drum until it contacted the sand paper below, to make sure that it was as round as it can be...

The main enemy of drum sanders is heat so I am not sure that this would be a good solution since ply is a poor conductor of heat... as you sand heat would build up... another option I have heard is to contact Performax and just order the drum by itself and build the rest yourself...

If you have a RAS... the original design was to attach the sander kit to a RAS and there you have a drum sander... I believe that Amazon sells the kits and they are around 3-400 dollars... It's been a long time since I have looked :D so YMMV

[Kent Parker]

Josh,

I saw a couple interesting sanders at the last Wood Show I went to in Sacramento.

I still have the catalogs I picked up. You might find some info/supplies/ideas at either site.

www.stockroomsupply.com (http://www.stockroomsupply.com)

lots of parts and pieces plus plans for drum sanders (not drum sand/planers)

or
www.rjrstudios.com (http://www.rjrstudios.com)

A refined version

Cheers,

Kent

[Travis Porter]

Someone else on this site posted one they built. I don't remember the name, but it was within the last month.

[Dev Emch]

You got access to a metal lathe and maybe a milling machine?

[CPeter James]

I have seen this demoed at a couple of shows and was interested, but happened on a used Performax instead. If it works half as well as they guy shows, it would be OK. But for a couple of dollars more you could get a Performax 16-32.

CPeter

[Frank Hagan]

The resourceful Aussies have this one covered:

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=16936

[Don Martindale]

Check the mimf (musical instrument makers forum). There are at least a half dozen designs in the history. You may have to sign up, but there are no fees, & quite a bit of info.....don