Replies

1. 
   TonyCz | Nov 05, 2011 11:47pm | #1

   Delta drum sander. 18x36

   First off the Delta drum sander is a fine tool,  I have one that has the pneumatic sanding drum as well which is a great tool in it self.  

   Any way the sander is a good sander for a small shop and is by no means a production sander. They cost $20K and up. The Delta sander 18x36 can sand boards realistically up to 17" wide and by flipping the board around at best 34" over all max. taking very light sanding cuts with each pass.  But, it really is not going to get your board flat by flipping the board end for end, as it is not a surface planer and should not be treated as one. It is a drum sander after all.

   Abrasive grits you can expect to use most often are 80, 100, 150 grit paper. Lighter weight paper is just a waste of time and money, use your random orbit sander for finer sanding.

   For this sander I use the Klingspor brand. 100' rolls.  

   That being said, the sander is also a tool you cannot force production out of (even the pro models), as most of the sanders on the market just have no real power for that. What happens is the drum will stall out and the drive belt squeels.  It's only 110 volts AC and has two motors one for the sanding drum and a smaller one for the in feed table belt feed.  

   The amount of feet per minute will depend on how wide the board you are sanding is and if it is soft or hard wood. Also you can only realistically feed one board at a time as feeding two or more really will not work.  One other factor to keep in mind is dust extraction is a very necessary evil in drum sanding.  Also blowing out the drum cylinder from time to time while sanding as it is a tube and will collect light dust and effect the drum balance.   

   Bottom line let the sander do its job and be patient.

   By the way I just upgraded to a much larger sander and have my Delta up for sale, it includes a roller base, sand paper 3 rolls 100'  $425.00 in Southern Calif.  

2. 
   TonyCz | Nov 05, 2011 11:53pm | #2

   Tracking

   By thet way the belt in the Delta Drum Sander also has to be tuned / adjusted as you use it, if it is to be run for a long period. If the belt needs any adjustment, it only requires very small adjustments of an 1/8 turn on one side or the other (not both sides at the same time). You may need to make the 1/8 turn adjustment more than one time to get the belt just right, Maybe as many as 5 times over a period of 4 to 8 minutes. Give the belt time to settle in on each adjustment.  It's really depending on what side the belt is tracking on abd remember It may take several minutes for the belt to move and stay put.

   Note; You need to be patient and let the belt move on its own.  In the beginning when I first started to get familiar with the tool, it was an issue ( I was in a hurry)  till I figures it out and its not a big deal today.