Replies

1. 
   RickL | Dec 07, 2005 01:15am | #1

   Both topics have been covered in back issues of Fine Woodworking. Most likely found in the reprint issue of Tools and Machines. Designs similar have been made by guitar makers many years ago using plywwod discs for the drum and bicycle chain and sprockets for raising and lowering the table. My buddy built one over 30 years ago similar to the ones in the links.

   http://www.mimf.com/archives/thickness_sander2.htm

   http://www.ukuleles.com/BuildingHowTo/sandthck.html

   http://www.rockslide.org/drum%20sander.html

    

   With the low budget spindle sanders on the market long since the build your own article I don't think you could buy the parts cheaper than what's on the market now. Grizzly has this...    http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.aspx?itemnumber=G0538

1. 
   Daleinok | Dec 07, 2005 05:24pm | #5

   Rick

   I know that I could buy a spindle sander for not too much money, the less expensive might do a good job the base are make from plastic, not what I really want in my shop.  When you get to cast Iron, tilting table etc. the price starts at about $300. and goes up from there.

   Plus I just think it would be more fun, if not too hard.

   Thanks

   Doc.

2. 
   DJK | Dec 07, 2005 02:22am | #2

   I did not build this, crude but it works. Notice the small motor for oscillation. I have the big Clayton tilt spindle purchased at auction for $100.

   DJK

3. 
   PlaneWood | Dec 07, 2005 02:58am | #3

   I did.  Here's some pics.  Use ds1.jpg thru ds6.jpg

   http://pages.sbcglobal.net/mike_in_katy/ds1.jpg

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
   PlaneWood

1. 
   Daleinok | Dec 07, 2005 05:15pm | #4

   Mike_in_Katy

    

   This looks very neat, and like it would work well.  Do you have any plans for how you make it?  What is the width of your sander?  I would really like to go larger in order to do table tops etc. but on the same pattern as you have used.

   Let me know if you do have any drawings on how to build>

   Thanks

   Doc. 

1. 
   PlaneWood | Dec 07, 2005 09:39pm | #7

   No plans, it all came out of my head.  At lest now you have some pics as a go by!  8/4 Mahogany was used for the base and sides.

   Drum is 14" wide and was made by stacking circles of 3/4" mdf glued together with poly glue.

   If you go wider, use a 1" shaft.  The sprokets and chains were ordered over the internet.  Weren't very expensive.

   I have a 1/2" hp motor on mine.  It really should be 1hp+. preferably 1.5hp.

   I only do small stuff and it works fine for that.  Dang Cocobolo sure gums up belts though.  Power for the 'power feed' comes from my muscles.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

4. 
   sawdustandshavings | Dec 07, 2005 07:45pm | #6

   Hello,

   Below is a link to a drum sander plan.I decided that I wanted to make this one, but the thought of spending $10 on the plans let alone the materials made me shudder so instead I drew up a plan for one using the information provided and set of on the mission......Then I lost interest and made do with an industrial planer at my local lumber yard.One thing I would advise for you to do is not start until you get a decent powered motor such as a 1hp or more.

    http://www.moritzdesigns.com/sander/sander.html

   Good Luck,

   Sawdust.