I have been collecting information and reading different plans on building a thickness (drum) sander. I felt the need while working on my previous project (the bed) and how it could have saved my time and a lot of wood. It is going to have a power feed conveyor.
Anyway, the initial plan of an 18" wide one has grown to a 28" one. I've got almost all the parts (including the DC motor for the conveyor).
First, started building the rollers for the conveyor as well as the drum. First cut a lot of disks (out of plywood) for the drum. Then cut many disks (out of BB ply) for the rollers. They are not quite a circle in the glue-up but that's Ok. I made a jig (to be used with router) to make the rollers perfectly round (to less than 0.005" variations). The shaft for the drum is 3/4" and for the rollers are 5/8". Once the disks are also glued (together and to the shaft) they will make an even stronger piece.
The disks for the drum will be glued together and to the shaft. There will be also 5 cross sectional 3/16" thick pins that will go through the shaft. The groove in the disk (shown in the 2nd picture) is to receive one of these pins.
disks1.JPGdisks2.JPG
roller1.JPGroller3.JPG
roller2.JPG