$80 Later — Drum Sander paper breaking
Hi all — the shop I go to got a 19in drum sander months ago. Bc I used IdiotIntuition instead of reading the manual, I tore a lot of sanding paper because (I realize now) I was either taking too much off in one go or I had my feed setting too fast. I got some instruction on the drum sander recently. The last two attempts, using 80 grit, I’ve slowed the intake speed to slowest possible setting and just barely rotate the handle when lowering. I’ve had the paper rip on me both times. The tears always happens on the right-hand ratchet/clasp of the drum sander. I load the paper going left to right. The recent attempts were both hardwoods, walnut, 8-12in wide, trying to remove resaw marks.
The only guesses I’ve got left are: the paper is incorrectly installed, my barely rotating needs to get even more barely, or that I’m cursed. Either way I’m bleeding money on the paper though so any help is appreciated!
thanks as always
Replies
My drum sander is smaller but requires the same gentle finesse when lowering the head. I lower it less than 1/4 turn with each step.
As to the paper tearing, I've found that brand new paper will stretch a bit when first used. If I fail to check it and re-tighten it as necessary, it will self destruct.
Mike
Mm! Re-tightening may be it. I do hear the paper get a little loose before it snaps. Thanks!
You say 19" so I will guess Supermax. The clip on the right is spring loaded to take up the slack as the paper wears / heats up. It is difficult to get this clip to grab the paper if it is not under tension so I will assume you have a good grip on the paper at that side.
The left side clip uses a similar, although non-spring-loaded clip. The shape of the paper's ends sets the pitch of the wrap. The manual clearly lays out the dimensions of the tails.
I marked my original tails per the manual with a felt pen. Cut it with tin snips and used it as a template for other pieces as I cut them. After who-knows-how-many pieces I had some ill-fitting results. I marked one via the manual and it worked fine. I assume I have cumulative error that finally caught up with me ;-)
I purchased a used and aged Ryobi 16-32 (looks suspiciously like a Supermax 16-32) several years ago and I could never get the clips to hold the paper securely in place. I finally removed the clips and made a simple Al clip that is held tightly in place with an 8-32 flat head screw as shown in the photos. Not exactly quick change, but on the other hand, I have never had a belt come loose with this setup. And yes, you do need to re-tension the paper every once in a while.
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