Thread: Who uses a drum sander for boxes?

Yes, I have a Carbatec one that I find very useful for boxes. You will still need to hand sand, but for removing machine marks they are the duck's guts. Only problem is that some woods (eg Blackwood) put resin on the sanding belt quickly.

I have a small Jet drum sander, and find it very useful making boxes, from flattening box sides and lid panel veneer to the correct thickness after resawing on the bandsaw, to flattening panels after veneering, and for making stringing the correct width and thickness. The precision is terrific

Ditto Alex and Dengy I also have a small Jet drum sander and i find it indispensable for ease of use, low noise level and after bandsawing stock for lids and sides, getting consistent accurate thicknessing (albeit with many small passes). As Alex says, you will need to fine sand after using the drum sander and of course you will also need good dust extraction connected.

Ditto.....with a JET 16/32. I remember it was on sale, at about the same price as an upgrade helical head for my JPT-310. I figured that the drum sander can handle ANY timber (even burl for inserts), while the helical head still suffers some tearout on really weird grain. Glad I went down the drum sander route.

Changing papers isn't too much of a chore, so I'll routinely go down to 400 grit on the drum sander. Sandpaperman (forum sponsor) sells rolls of various papers (of excellent quality), which can be cut up using a template to get several drum-sized lengths out of a roll.

100%

Absolutely indispensable.

That seems pretty unanimous. I guess I need to start thinking about a workshop re-organisation if I want to fit one in!

Used ones do pop up from time to time....worth keeping an eye out. Sometimes people give up on drum sanders because they never took the time to set the thing up properly in the first place, never got the drum parallel to the bed, and get tired of fiddling about with it all the time. That is your opportunity to pounce....

I'd like one for my workshop, but finding space is the problem. The small Jet could be a possibility... I think it would be great for box making.

ajw

Originally Posted by ajw

I'd like one for my workshop, but finding space is the problem. The small Jet could be a possibility... I think it would be great for box making.

ajw

I have been looking at one myself but apparently the JET 10-20 is no longer available.

Recently resawn about 80m of cedar T&G to repurpose it for something else and after a pass on the supermax 25-50 had it flat and finished in no time.. Very handy to have for thin boards, shop sawn veneer, etc. Also on wide boards or super figured stuff.

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

Used ones do pop up from time to time....worth keeping an eye out. Sometimes people give up on drum sanders because they never took the time to set the thing up properly in the first place, never got the drum parallel to the bed, and get tired of fiddling about with it all the time. That is your opportunity to pounce....

You are right. I bought a second hand one (essentially unused) and it was out to buggery. Coke-can shims fixed it up to be absolutely perfect. Two other Canberra mates also bought second-handies with exactly the same problem... they invited me around and fixed in 30 minutes!

I see the Carbatec-generics on Gumtree all the time.

I bought mine second hand from a box maker. When I picked it up he kept telling me not to be 'too greedy'. I guess that's because he was? I have it sitting on top of my combo jointer thicky. Can't say I've missed the jointer thicky since I got the drum sander and I've never had a problem with being 'too greedy'.
Initially it amazed me with its ability to quickly remove material with a 40 grit belt on it (what it came with) and I now usually have 80 grit on it and work up to 240 grit from there. It doesn't replace hand sanding, but it sure makes a big dent in the tedium.

Originally Posted by woodPixel

I see the Carbatec-generics on Gumtree all the time.

That's interesting - I've been assuming they rarely come up second hand based on the forum marketplace... Will have to try gumtree - thanks!

Danny

I have a Supermax 19-38 and I love it and use it all the time getting my timber milled to exact specs. I have a DeWalt 735 but haven't used it in over a year so I'm going to sell it. There's a new Supermax out 16-32 that has all the bells and whistles that looks like a improvement to the 19-38 and the 19-38 was a really good machine. Like a lot of guys say, "I don't know what I did without it"