Poll: Drum Sander Grits

[Pappy]

The supply of precut strips I got with my Ryobi drum sander is about exhausted, except for 36 and 60, and I need to restock. I will probably go with rolls and cut my own to save $$$.

What grits do those that have drum sanders use most?

[ragswl4]

I didn't vote because I don't have a drum sander but I am in the process of building one that is a clone of the V Drum Sander. I recently ordered 150, 220 and 320 grit velcro backed sandpaper rolls as those are the grits I commonly use on my ROS. I ordered from stockroomsupply.com. All rolls are 3" x 5 yds @ $9.75 per roll + $13 shipping.

If someone has a better source please share.

[Ken Massingale]

60 and 80 only for hogging. I usually leave 120 on the DS and finish with an ROS.
BTW Pap, in case you haven't been to Klingspor they have good prices on the 18 meter rolls

http://www.woodworkingshop.com/cgi-b...temSt=PE003X18

for 50 meter rolls see http://onlineindustrialsupply.com/3indrsaro.html

[Ken Massingale]

I didn't vote because I don't have a drum sander but I am in the process of building one that is a clone of the V Drum Sander. I recently ordered 150, 220 and 320 grit velcro backed sandpaper rolls as those are the grits I commonly use on my ROS. I ordered from stockroomsupply.com. All rolls are 3" x 5 yds @ $9.75 per roll + $13 shipping.

If someone has a better source please share.

rags, just for info, I hope you don't plan on the DS replacing the ROS. DS'ers leave sanding marks that still have to be ROS'ed out. IMHO DS are for thicknessing, not finish sanding. But maybe I don't know how to use mine correctly either!

[ragswl4]

rags, just for info, I hope you don't plan on the DS replacing the ROS. DS'ers leave sanding marks that still have to be ROS'ed out. IMHO DS are for thicknessing, not finish sanding. But maybe I don't know how to use mine correctly either!

I think you are correct. I didn't plan on the DS replacing the ROS. This DS thing is a new adventure for me and the planned use is to get the wood sanded to the point where the ROS will quickly take it to the finishing point.

I am interested in how the poll plays out to see what grits are most commonly used.

(Don't mean to hijack the thread)

[LarryG]

I too am most interested in seeing the results of this, having recently purchased a drum sander and as yet having nothing more than the lone 80 grit wrap that came on it from the factory.

Ken, did you post the wrong link? That one leads to 25m "shop rolls" which they say are not recommended for use on drum sanders.

[Ken Massingale]

I too am most interested in seeing the results of this, having recently purchased a drum sander and as yet having nothing more than the lone 80 grit wrap that came on it from the factory.

Ken, did you post the wrong link? That one leads to 25m "shop rolls" which they say are not recommended for use on drum sanders.

Geeze! Thanks larry, it's fixed and it's for the 18 meter rolls, not 10 meter. And BTW, Klingspor is what came from WMH with the performax DS.

[blame]

i know of a place to get sand paper dirt cheap but i cant find it

i'm looking lol

i 'll find it

i promise

blame

[blame]

i found it http://www.supergrit.com/

check out the close out deals for some really great deals on ROS discs

blame

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Cool. Poll lets you vote for two. I have a dual drum and run 120 on first drum and 150 on second drum.

I think the answer to your question depends upon :

1) Type of wood you use. Prone to tear out?
2) Type of planner you use. Sharp blades? Shelix head cutter?
3) Type of finish you use. Do you need to sand to 220 or do you stop at 180? Or lower?
4) Do you want to ROS after drum sander? If you always final ROS with 180 then you could probably leap from 120 drum to 180 ROS.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

i found it http://www.supergrit.com/

check out the close out deals for some really great deals on ROS discs

blame

supergrit.com rocks. Luckily, the sand paper market is one market that is well served and most places provide excellent service and product.

[LarryG]

Supergrit shows a "J" weight and an "X" weight, with the latter costing more. They sorta-kind recommend the "X" weight for drum sanding but also say the "J" can be used. Does anyone know how these weights compare to the rolls that Klingspor's sells?

The "J" weight is certainly attractively priced, if it's durable enough. A strip long enough to wrap the drum of my 22/44 Plus would cost $3.50, versus $6.00 for the material from Klingspor's.

[Pappy]

Thanks for the input, Gents. I got several rolls of paper with my drum sander ranging from 36 grit to 220 grit.

It seemed to me that the 180 and 220 loaded too fast and left burn streaks on the wood, especially Maple and other light hardwoods. Below 80 grit would only be useful if you wanted to hog off a lot of wood, basically using the sander as a substitute for a planer.

My thought was to go with around a 120 grit as a happy medium. The poll confirmed that as a good choice. Thanks again for the help.