Thread: Making your own drum sander

There are a few plans around. You can "google" them. Here is one for a thickness sander

Thickness sander plans

You can also buy kits for making finishing sanders like the Sand Flee

.: Stockroom Supply :. Sandpaper | Stockroom Supply
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I have been thinking about making one too, but it will take time I would rather spend building projects and probably would not save much money. As a guide, the kit above costs $500 + a sand flee costs about $800 and is ready to use.

Good luck! Post picturesifyou decide to build one.

Jorge

I rigged up a sander years ago to sand panels for some doors we were making.
I had a big lathe and used a conveyor roller with the shaft held in a 3 jaw at the headstock end.
Used a big bearing in a plumber block packed up with wood and located the other end of the shaft in the tailstock.
For a bed used some laminex covered mdf adjusted for height by 2 threaded rods.
A mate whose a guitar maker has made a few with an angle iron frame etc.
You just push the timber thru by hand works a treat.
H

Originally Posted by Pauls321

Hi, I've been toying with the idea of building my own drum sander. Looked at the budget ones at Hare & Forbes and also Carbatec, still rather pricey. And take up a fair bit of floor space which I don't have. Looking at various plans on the net to make your own, some seem rather complicated and others,.welll,...!!!!

Has anyone had any experience of trying to build your own. Or suggested plans to look at. I would only be looking at sanding timber up to maybe 150mm wide by say 6 - 12mm thick.

Paul

Originally Posted by clear out

I rigged up a sander years ago to sand panels for some doors we were making.
I had a big lathe and used a conveyor roller with the shaft held in a 3 jaw at the headstock end.
Used a big bearing in a plumber block packed up with wood and located the other end of the shaft in the tailstock.
For a bed used some laminex covered mdf adjusted for height by 2 threaded rods.
A mate whose a guitar maker has made a few with an angle iron frame etc.
You just push the timber thru by hand works a treat.
H

Hi Clear Out

Was the drum above or below the timber? There are some home made sanders around where the timber is pushed on the top of the drum like a jointer/planer. Seems like a safer option to me.

Regards

Jorge

The drum was over the bed.
From memory no drama quess we used a thinner piece of stuff to push the panels thru.
We did a lot on this set up and then it lay around on the floor for years can't remember what happened to it after I sold the RS.
If you wanted to go the other way a 6 inch jointer could be adapted quite easily.
H.

Hi and thanks for your comments. Garcia, that first plan/link you put up is exactly the one I found and liked the best. I did a lot of searching and that's the one I come up with that appeals to me the most.

I am going to start building it today. So far I have outlayed $160. I've ordered 1 metre of adhesive backed velcro x 300mm wide, (to put around my drum when its built to fix the sandpaper to). Cost of that was $59 including delivery. I've also ordered 2 pillow blocks 25mm inside diameter, cost of $40. Yesterday I purchased my 2x4 timber for the frame exactly according to those plans plus nuts and bolts etc for fixture, and also a 25mm chromed steel rod for the main shaft, total cost of $60.

I have not accessed a motor yet.

I'll keep this thread going and let you know my progress, any comments or suggestions most welcome.

Regards, Paul

Originally Posted by Pauls321

Hi and thanks for your comments. Garcia, that first plan/link you put up is exactly the one I found and liked the best. I did a lot of searching and that's the one I come up with that appeals to me the most.

I am going to start building it today. So far I have outlayed $160. I've ordered 1 metre of adhesive backed velcro x 300mm wide, (to put around my drum when its built to fix the sandpaper to). Cost of that was $59 including delivery. I've also ordered 2 pillow blocks 25mm inside diameter, cost of $40. Yesterday I purchased my 2x4 timber for the frame exactly according to those plans plus nuts and bolts etc for fixture, and also a 25mm chromed steel rod for the main shaft, total cost of $60.

I have not accessed a motor yet.

I'll keep this thread going and let you know my progress, any comments or suggestions most welcome.

Regards, Paul

Pity you don't live in Canberra - I have a motor that I'm not using that you could have had for the loan of your sander

Hi and thanks Garcia, generous offer of yours, and yes it is a pity. I'll suss about see what I can pick up. Yesterday I got most of the frame made, will work more on it today, then do a bit of a list of what else I need before another trip up to Coffs Harbour. My velcro turned up yesterday also.

Regards, Paul

Big problem today, my bandsaw died on me, what a pain. And it was only 29 years old also. Shall see if I can get the motor fixed, otherwise,...hmmmm,......not sure,..!

Just as I was about to start cutting the pulley out.

Paul

Originally Posted by Pauls321

Big problem today, my bandsaw died on me, what a pain. And it was only 29 years old also. Shall see if I can get the motor fixed, otherwise,...hmmmm,......not sure,..!

Just as I was about to start cutting the pulley out.

Paul

Oh no! Looks like you are on the hunt for two motors now!

Old bandsaws are simple things and it should be easy to replace the burnt out motor with a new or refurbished one.

Did you source a second hand motor somewhere in Coffs? I could consider parting with mine, but I daresay that the cost of shipping will make things very expensive for you - also my "spare" motor is better than the one on my bandsaw and I was thinking about swapping them out. (also I am a bit of a hoarder ) ) I suggest try e-bay or your local suppliers in the first instance and if all else fails get in touch with me...

Regards

Jorge Garcia

Originally Posted by Pauls321

Big problem today, my bandsaw died on me, what a pain. And it was only 29 years old also. Shall see if I can get the motor fixed, otherwise,...hmmmm,......not sure,..!

Just as I was about to start cutting the pulley out.

Paul

Here you go Paul - The guys at the following link may be able to rewind your old motor and sell you a refurbished one for your sander.

Good luck!

Jorge

Coffs Harbour Electric Motors - Electric Motors - Karangi, NSW - Yellow Pages®