Drum sanders

[michael evans]

Hi good people ,any of you had any experiences with small drum sanders ?The type that fit in a normal drill press.Looking at getting a 2" one for internal corners ,last one i had was cheap and the paper kept flying off much too my annoyance.Dont want too go too the expense of a bobbin sander.I have one in the dremmel but not big enough unless someone got a idea.

[Ken Darga]

Mick,

I frequently use drum sanders, in a drill press and in a hand drill, as well as in a rotary hand tool.

 

Most common are the drum type, that feature an expanding drum---when tightening the sanding drum, the rubber expands and grips the sanding sleeve in place, with a friction grip.

These type feature a ¼” shank, for a drill.

 

Drum sanders are nicely suited for use in a drill press. 

 

A drill press can be equipped with a larger (platform) work surface area.

A simple platform can be made from 3/4" stock, width and depth to suit.

Secure the platform to the drill-press table---

 (recessed carriage bolts with spacers, washer and wing nuts will suffice).

Add an applicable size ''thru hole" in the platform, so as to allow the bottom end of the drum to be positioned below the work surface. 

 

The drill press lever arm can be set and held in the ''down" position, using something as simple as a bungee cord.  

 

A foot-pedal type jig can be rigged, so the drill press "up & down" travel can be foot operated, so as to simulate a oscillating spindle sander.

 

The drum sander produces lots of sanding dust.

Suggest rigging-up a vac & nozzle, to suck up most of the dust.

 

I use 1-1/2 and 2" wide drums---in 1/2 to 2" diameter.

Med and fine grits are most suitable.

 

A 2" wide drum is most suitable for thicker stock---when sanding 2 by material.

 

Smaller diameters are needed for smaller radius.

Another handy size that I find very useful is a 1” drum, for many tasks.

 

 

Hand-Drill Use:

When it’s more desirable to bring the work to the tool.

When rigged in a hand-drill, its best to use an auxiliary side-handle grip.

The second hand provides for a more secure hold of the tool, while performing the sanding operations on larger stuff.

 

A variable- speed tool is a big plus, so as to make slower and light touch sanding.

 

A flexible shaft, fitted into a hand-drill, can be very useful for some tasks.

The drill can be secured in a jig, held in a clamping device, or the like.

 

Drum sanding, as well as the small disc sanders, are also very useful  in air-tools---

In straight and angle die-grinders.

 

Drum sanding kits can be obtained from many sources---home centers,  metal working shop suppliers, as well as wood working suppliers.

 

 

Handy useful starter kit

  

 

 

 

Lost cost portable edge sander

  

[michael evans]

Thanks ken ,was thinking of a set as you show in your picture.I have a drillpress table attached to my pillar drill i made a couple of years ago so that part of the equation is sorted.My birthday coming up so guess whats on the list?Take care , mick.

[Ken Darga]

Mick,

I had one "birthday"---the day of my birth---

after that, they're "anniversaries".

Anyway, why wait 'til your anniversary? ---

get it when you "need it"  or "want it".

Spin those drums and make some sanding/grinding dust.  

BTW---Wear a dust mask---many undesireable & unhealthy particles get drawn into your sinuses & lungs, 

that can result in some nasty side effects.

michael evans said:

Thanks ken ,was thinking of a set as you show in your picture.I have a drillpress table attached to my pillar drill i made a couple of years ago so that part of the equation is sorted.My birthday coming up so guess whats on the list?Take care , mick.

[Ken Darga]

Mick,

Alternate:

rig a belt sanded in a fixture---

position the belt width vertically, and 

the belt length horizontally.

A platform on the near side, to support the work-piece.

Makes for a handy sanding machine, for many tasks.

[michael evans]

Thing is ken if i wait for my birthday sorry anniversary ,i can keep my wallett in my pocket ha .

[Ken Darga]

Mick,

Edge sander jig

 Make your belt sander as an edge sander by laying it on its side and securing it in a plywood cutout and clamp clamp in place.

Trace the outline of your belt sander on a piece of 3/4" plywood about 24" square.

Cut out the shape of your belt sander and leave an extra 1/4" clearance at the bottom of the template for the belt to move freely.

(ref: woodmagazine.com)

Ken Darga said:

Mick,

Alternate:

rig a belt sanded in a fixture---

position the belt width vertically, and 

the belt length horizontally.

A platform on the near side, to support the work-piece.

Makes for a handy sanding machine, for many tasks.

[michael evans]

Thanks ken , i do use a stationery sander ,it was just the smaller sanders for getting small awkard places.Hence the question on drum sanders, which you gave me some sound info on many thanks ken.You do have a amazing knowledge on tools .

[Ken Darga]

Hi Mick,

Prior to investing in the various dia drum sanders and sleeves,

I used the 1" dia x 1" long sleeves---

(also a lot less costly, since there more readily available.  I buy these sleeves by the dozen).

I still use this size, most often today.

The 1" size is the most controllable in air-operated tools and a flex shaft in an electric drill.

Also works well in a pillar drill---(suggest using a low rpm).

The larger drums, when used in hand operated tools can can be uncontrollable, and may result in damaging a surface.

Also, it can become unbalanced---wobble, and the like, will occur, and can become dangerous at high speeds.

[michael evans]

Thanks ken for the good advice.

[Ken Darga]

Your most welcome, Mick.

Happy to hear you find it helpful.