I went to Art in Action (show at Oxford) and
a number of the furniture makers raved about
Drum Sanders. This was the first I had heard
of them. Anyone familiar with these beasts?
What are they mainly used for? Finishing?
Thicknessing?
Thanks,
Roy

On Fri, 18 Jul 2003 17:01:30 +0100, "RzB"
wrote:

a number of the furniture makers raved about
Drum Sanders.

Horizontal or vertical ?

http://www.axminster.co.uk/default.asp?part=629004M

Horizontals, aka "thickness sanders" or "poor mans wide belt sanders"
are very useful. They're a thickness planer that leaves a fine
surface finish, and that can be used on assembled frame and panels
constructions without demolishing them. OTOH, they take almost no cut
depth.


Vertical:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/default.asp?sub=37

Traditionally a patternmaker's tool. They're useful for odd shapes
that are hard to do by other means, or for people / timbers where you
can't use a spokeshave, such as cabriole legs in mahogany. Handy for
curved work in plywood too. If you're not careful though. they make a
very uneven surface. Bugger all use for anything else.

Some "Drum" sanders are useless, especially the free-range hand-held
ones. The drums that fit a spindle moulder are dubious. Divots and a
poor finish await. What you need is a "bobbin" sander, wher the drum
oscillates sideways too. For finishing work with a soft paper, the
inflatable drum sanders can be useful

They need dust extraction. Filthy things.

On Fri, 18 Jul 2003 20:14:32 +0100, Andy Dingley
wrote:

Some "Drum" sanders are useless, especially the free-range hand-held
ones.

One thing I'd add here, I got the small pack of assorted sanding drums
& bands from screwfix for a measly £11 or so. I only use them in my
cheapy pillar drill; I have found them extremely helpful and good
value. I only do smaller stuff so that may be why they have not given
me any issues - I'd imagine larger items might cause me some head
scratching though! Given the price, I accept the limitations they
have, but they have been my number one bargain so far.

They need dust extraction. Filthy things.

They surely do and they surely can be! ;O)

Take Care,
Gnube
{too thick for linux}

"Andy Dingley" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 18 Jul 2003 17:01:30 +0100, "RzB"
wrote:

a number of the furniture makers raved about
Drum Sanders.

Horizontal or vertical ?

http://www.axminster.co.uk/default.asp?part=629004M

Horizontals, aka "thickness sanders" or "poor mans wide belt sanders"
are very useful. They're a thickness planer that leaves a fine
surface finish, and that can be used on assembled frame and panels
constructions without demolishing them. OTOH, they take almost no cut
depth.

Thanks for your response...
Ahh - yes I understand vertical drum sanders -
they were talking about large horizontal machines.
I guess like the Axminster one you indicated.
I think they were probably talking about larger
professional machines.

Any idea of the Pros/Cons of different mfgrs and
what to consider when purchasing?
Thanks,
Roy

On Sat, 19 Jul 2003 09:32:05 +0100, "RzB"
wrote:

Any idea of the Pros/Cons of different mfgrs and
what to consider when purchasing?

Good article in FWW some time ago.

They all seem to work pretty well. The difference is in how easy to
set up they are, how easy to change belts, and how accurate for
horizontal alignment.

Some are cantilevered, some closed frame. The obvious diffference is
that an open-ender can be used to double the width by turning the
board. You need to set the drum slightly upward-pointing to do this,
to avoid a step along the center.

The Performax 16/32 seems well regarded at the cheap end. This machine
pops up under other names too.

For any power sanding, get good abrasives. CSM Abrasives are my
favourite supplier - a huge great catalogue, full of different sorts
of sandpaper. The anti-static coatings are well worth having, to
avoid clogs.