Drum Sander Completed/Tested

[ragswl4]

Started new thread as the other was getting long and this is now finished. Here is the finished sander. First pic is the finished sander. Second pic is the table adjustment screws. I used T-nuts and set screws and it works well. Third pic is of dust on the top of the table after 10 passes on a 6" x 12" hardwood board using 150 grit sandpaper. Last pic is the sawdust in the box from the same board (kind of hard to see but there is a lot of dust). Very little dust appears to escape into the air. So little in fact I don't think I will bother with dust collection. Also the sawdust collected is a nice source for wood filler material should I need to make some.

I will have to do some practicing with this sander to develop the right technique. One thing is that you must keep the board moving at all times or you'll get snipe. Last thing I will do is build a fence to use for edge sanding. Too difficult to do without a fence.

[RodKirby]

Looks great!

[Whaler]

Very nice addition to the shop.

[mater]

That looks very nice.

[cgallery]

Very little dust appears to escape into the air. So little in fact I don't think I will bother with dust collection.

Fantastic project and I can only imagine how handy it is.

BUT, I absolutely do think you should use SOME sort of dust collection for this unit. You can't see (w/ your naked eye) the super-fine stuff (the stuff that is most likely escaping and entering your lungs).

Do you really want to risk developing a wood allergy or other ailment?

[ragswl4]

Fantastic project and I can only imagine how handy it is.

BUT, I absolutely do think you should use SOME sort of dust collection for this unit. You can't see (w/ your naked eye) the super-fine stuff (the stuff that is most likely escaping and entering your lungs).

Do you really want to risk developing a wood allergy or other ailment?

Yep! You are right. I'll add the dust collection. Got a DC so might as well use it for this as well. Thanks for the gentle push in the right direction.

[p8ntblr]

Great job Rags. Let us know how well it works. I have a question though. As I understand it, a drum sander works like a planer (ie you joint 1 side and then run it through the sander). This design seems to work more like a jointer. How (if any) will this affect how you use it.

Btw, how much of a price difference is your design compared to the kit?

[gad5264]

Rags, that looks like a great addition to the shop.

[atgcpaul]

Very cool. Let us know how it holds up. I might get inspired.

Paul

[Pappy]

Slick looking rig, Rags.

[blame]

congrats rags looks great

[John Hunter]

Very nice!

[ragswl4]

Great job Rags. Let us know how well it works. I have a question though. As I understand it, a drum sander works like a planer (ie you joint 1 side and then run it through the sander). This design seems to work more like a jointer. How (if any) will this affect how you use it.

Btw, how much of a price difference is your design compared to the kit?

The primary use is more of a finish sander. I first joint the edge and face of the board, cut the other edge on the TS and then through the planer for the other face. Then on to the sander to lightly sand both faces and edges (150 then 220 grit). I am making a bunch of doors and face frames for 38 kitchen cabinets, an island and a peninsula so sanding all that with a ROS and finish sander was taking more time than building the doors and frames. Hopefully this will reduce the time for sanding.

As for how it compares to the kit, I detailed the parts and cost here: http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=31958

[lrogers]

I like it! Yet another fine example of work shop engineering. We sure have a talented bunch around here.

[hermit]

Excellent job on this Rags. Looks great. I am just having a difficult time envisioning how this would work consistently. Not yours in particular, but entire concept. Is it really possible to run the board evenly across this? Is the table height adjustable, or did you get it just right the first time??

Todd