Trouble with this new/used spindle sander

**bradleyheathhay** · 12th July 2022, 03:54 PM

I picked this little guy up cheap as it still runs well, just needs a new set of sanding drums to get it productive again. Only issue is, I've never owned one of these sanders and I'm not sure how to go about getting this old spindle off. I bought it with the smallest diameter sanding rubber drum or whatever on it. According to the ancient instructions I looked up the sanding element should come off once the top nut and washers are removed, but this one's not budging. It came with a large flat wrench that looks like it's meant for a couple different size nuts. It's meant to be used for the retaining nut on the top of the spindle but it also seems like it's meant to fit a larger nut as well, although I can't figure out where it is.

Should I just go ahead and cut this sand drum and rubber off the spindle, or is there something else I'm missing that needs loosening?

First pic is my sander, second is from something else that shows the same old Craftsman sander I have.

sander 1.jpg

sander 2.jpg

**yachtie** · 12th July 2022, 04:41 PM

Usually left hand thread.
Cheers
John

**tonzeyd** · 12th July 2022, 04:57 PM

are you trying to get the sanding sleeve off or the rubber drum off?

If the sleeve is stuck you can try heating it up to ease it off, sometimes the sleeves get stuck to the drums. If you don't care for the sleeve just cut it off.

The rubber drum on the other hand depends on your machine, my current spindle sander i undo from under the table. My previous one i undid the fasteners on top (as what you've done) and pulled the drum off. Judging by the photos of your machine i'll say you probably fall into this category. Try some penetrating solution ie wd40 and see if the drum will come off. You could also try heating it up and see if it'll loosen. But no i'm going to lean towards there are no other fasteners to remove.

Have also heard you can try and put it into the freezer until it comes off but only really useful if you can physically remove the drum off the sander (or have a chest freezer)

**woodPixel** · 12th July 2022, 05:07 PM

I've found that if the nut is screwed down tight for some time that the thing gets jammed up from rigidity.

Lever it up from the bottom with screwdrivers on either side.

On the sanding sleeve, just cut it off. Big slice up the side

**NCArcher** · 12th July 2022, 07:31 PM

From the look of that there may not even be rubber in that one. My smallest size spindle goes straight on to the shaft. Cut the sanding sleeve off. The sleeve is probably stuck to the metal shaft which may have a bit of rust on.

**Treecycle** · 12th July 2022, 08:43 PM

It looks like all the sleeves fit on rubber drums except for the smallest one. The small one goes straight on the spindle and after being on there for some time they get stuck. You might be lucky and be able to slowly lever it up from the bottom alternating from side to side, but if not just cut it off.
The picture below would be the type you have and it shows the smallest sleeve without a rubber drum inside. I have a Jet and the 3 smallest sleeves go straight on the spindle.

Spindle sander.JPG

**bradleyheathhay** · 13th July 2022, 02:50 PM

Thanks everybody. Lots of perspective and options on how to get at this thing. I believe that's the consensus that there's no rubber under this smallest sanding drum. Since I'm getting a whole new set anyway I guess it doesn't matter much either way.

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Trouble with this new/used spindle sander

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