I have a 1988 or so Kuster 37″ drum sander, which I run little because: a. lack of good dust collection system (being remedied) and b. PITA to change paper. I have seen that Woodmaster (I think) on their drum sanders, uses hook & loop sandpaper, which I would think makes changing paper much faster. Has anyone changed over a regular drum to accomodate this type of paper? With what result. Is this something I should consider? I use this sander just to sand, not as an abrasive planer. Mostly to finish sand thinner wood, such as after gluing up a resawn veneer.
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I have a Woodmaster. You can purchase the sticky back velcro and adhier it to the drum and use the felt back paper.
Dave Koury
I assume that if I do this, the sanding will be a bit cushioned, given the thickness of the velcro system. Does this change the characteristics of the sanding? Can one stillhold very tight tolerances on thisckness? Do you find that with this system, you will work through the grits, and reuse the paper?
One can keep tite tolerances with velcro. As you work to a finer grit, the paper gets thinner in thickness but when it's first applied to the drum it rides a bit high on the velcro untill it's made a pass or two to get pressed down. So when you change paper don't raise the table for the first pass. That will seat the paper in the velcro. I always make the last couple of passes with the table/drum at the same setting and check thickness with a caliper.
The paper is reuseable. I use the crepe sticks for cleaning the paper as the drum rotates. When I remove the paper I mark the end and reverse the wrap when it's re-used.
Dave Koury
Thanks. I think that's what I will do, as soon as I have a new central DC hooked up. This thing creates so much dust that I use it quite infrequently.
Do you know a good/inexpensive source for both the Velcro, and the H&L paper rolls?
Your Looking for Hook & loop sand paper? You need the Klingspors Catalog , PO Box 3737, Hickory NC, 28603-3737 or toll free 800-228-0000. But I never have found self adhesive velcro in their catalog. The last time I had to replace it on my sander I found some in a fabric store in the drapery dept, but it is not as wide,and not as pricey, and I clean the sand paper carefully with a cleaning stick, or I have ordered the Velcro from the manufacture of the plainer/sander, Woodmaster of Kansas city,Mo.
Good luck.From Furniture By Douglas, Grand Rapids,MI
Hairfece said it all. At retail plan to spend $70 for a 25m roll.
Dave Koury
Warren, MI
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