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  1. #1
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    Default Wide drum sander - belt gumming up

    I have a wide drum sander and have a couple of issues with it that I might get some help and advice for it from here.
    Issue 1 - fitting the belts. When looking from the front. The right hand spring loaded clip/tensioner is extremely fiddly to me. I have been sent a short video, but even watching that and understanding how the belt tapered strip goes in, it is really hard for me to do.
    Do others have the same trouble. How do you do it? Make a tool to poke the tip into position??
    Suggestions please. Next time I go to Carbatec, I'll try for a demo/hands on.

    Issue 2 - belts gumming up. I put some beech boards through it and the belt , 240 grit, started to gum up quickly. Wood is very seasoned, but freshly thicknessed. I was only doing very light passes, not trying for dimensioning.
    Is this typical for beech, is it a resinous wood?. Or is 240 grit on a drum sander too fine?

    Advice as always, greatly appreciated.
    Lyle

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  3. #2
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    Default

    Ive got Carbatecs twin drum sander and my tensioner clip is on the left. The clip on the right is more or less like a peg and clips, but the one on the left can move. Ie it shifts about an inch towards the slot where you feed the belt in. You then insert the belt as you did on the right hand side then slide the entire clip back, this is what gives the belt tension. Obviously your machine may differ.

    In regards to belts gumming up, 240 grit is pretty fine, and best suited for very light passes. If im running any resinous timber through im normally running 60/80grit and using the abrasive cleaner after every pass depending on how much buildup there is on the belt.

    If i do get buildup, i find running a dry board through helps clean up the process, ie old jarrah roofing beam or similar.

  4. #3
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    Default

    Thanks.
    After some research, I'm inclined to agree that 240 is way too fine.
    Yes, I found that each pass needed a clean of the belt. Also I'm thinking that there is knot that may also make it problematic.
    Lyle

  5. #4
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    Default

    When I owned a drum sander I always found that 120 was about as high as I would want to go before I got heaps of burning

  6. #5
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    Default

    I have an Oltre drum sander and it is a nightmare to fit a new belt. The clip tension, which is two staged, is so strong that i struggle to hold it open while poking the belt in. It would be great if i could see into the end of the drum to see what was going on.

    With your gumming problem i would go with the others and suggest you use 80g and make sure you have good dust extraction.

  7. #6
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    Default

    I think you are all right.
    I'll only use up to 120 from now on.
    Are the coarser belts any harder to fit due to their being stiffer.????
    Lyle

  8. #7
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    Jet supply a nifty dodad to hold the RH side clip open but also holds the sandpaper in place, pretty much a third hand. It's a cleverly designed piece of thick bent / formed wire, not sophisticated at all but very clever!
    Mobyturns

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  9. #8
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    When using fine grit I angle the boards into the sander so the whole of the width of the drum is used rather than just the one spot on the drum. Good dust extraction is essential. Keep the drum clean (an old thong makes a good abrasive cleaner) and a squirt of compressed air between each board. I go down to 320 grit using this method with minimal burning.

  10. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by rustynail View Post
    ... Keep the drum clean (an old thong makes a good abrasive cleaner) ...
    Brilliant!

    PS: Do you take the thong off first?

  11. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by [B
    rustynail[/B]]... Keep the drum clean (an old thong makes a good abrasive cleaner) ...

    Quote Originally Posted by GraemeCook View Post
    Brilliant!

    PS: Do you take the thong off first?

    Quote Originally Posted by BMKal
    BMKal wants picture(s) for this post.

    Sorry, BM, but you will have to direct your request to rustynail. I am also interested in his technique - a video might be even better.

  12. #11
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    Show me the money.

  13. #12
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    Default Me Too

    I also have these issues. I have Carbatec's twin drum sander. I was about to start a new thread but will add to this thread instead.

    Through trial and error, the highest grit I use is 120g.

    I didn't know the clips were different on either side of the drum. Being a lefty I fix the LHS first, roll and secure to the right. Next belt change I'll fix on the RHS, roll and secure on the left. Much egg on face if it says this in the manual.

    My question intended for the new thread was to do with sanding speed. If sanding a resinous wood should I sand faster or slower? I usually sand jarrah at speed 4 or slower (about third of max speed). Doing the same with sheoak often results in burning.

    Should I speed up or slow down the platten for sheoak? Are there rules of thumb for these sanders?


    Paul

  14. #13
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    PVC pipe also makes a good belt/disc cleaner. You'd think it would melt onto the disc/belt but it doesn't.

  15. #14
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    Default

    I had 3 proper wide belt sanders (not drum sander) so far, I never use anything more than 180 grit on the second unit. it probably will start to gum up at 180.

    with drum sander, you have to do it very slow and very light pass...
    SCM L'Invincibile si X, SCM L'Invincibile S7, SCM TI 145EP, SCM Sandya Win 630, Masterwood OMB1V, Meber 600, Delta RJ42, Nederman S750, Chicago Pneumatics CPRS10500, Ceccato CDX12



  16. #15
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    PVC pipe also makes a good belt/disc cleaner. You'd think it would melt onto the disc/belt but it doesn't.
    Never knew about PVC pipe but will have to give it a try.
    Regards
    John

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