Thread: Wide Sanding or Thicknessing

There are times when we have everything from door panels, table tops or a work bench top that need flattening. We worry, struggle, get frustrated and attempt all types of solutions.

There is a solution that many have not thought of. Many nearby cabinet shops have a wide belt sander or a drum sander. Some of these shops are willing to rent time on these machines. The shop near me has a 48 inch (A bit more than 1200mm) wide belt sander. He charges $45 per half hour with a half hour minimum. I call and make an appointment for him to do the work. It is only 3 or 4 km. I've never took more than 15 minutes to get my sanding done. Usually the shop will supply an operator at the quoted price. If you pay in cash, the shop owner will probably take his SWMBO out to dinner on the weekend.

As far as the economics are concerned: $1300 plus tax for a drum sander is about 28 sanding jobs. I've had 5 sanding jobs done. At 75 years old, I won't live long enough to say, "I should have bought the drum sander." A wide belt sander (Powermatic) is over $25,000.