Thread: Abrasive Paper Size for Jet 18 / 36 Drum Sander

I think

it should be the same slope for the taper at the start and finish ends, and then you will just need to wrap to paper around the drum to get the length

Unfortunately its not the same angle. Paper that is not as wide means different wrap widths so if finishes up way out of normal alignment.

Originally Posted by TORB

The paper it comes with has width of 102mm. I have just purchased a couple of large rolls of 76mm paper

Not really much help, but i think this is your issue...

Unfortunately your only option is either return the rolls you have or cut the extra overhang on the end to suit your drum, then make a template with this custom wrap

Contact the Sandpaper Man, a sponsor for this forum too

Cutting a template is just about impossible unless a heap of the drum does not have covering.

The actual required paper size is 85mm and the Sandpaper Man does not stock it. However he is trying to get hold of some for me.

I know it's wider (obviously), but does the JET 18/36 have the same diameter drum as the 16/32?

If it does, the taper angle on the end of the paper should be the same for both (using 76mm paper). The 18/36 will just have a slightly longer piece with the same taper angles on both ends?

Mr Bush, you are correct

according to the manual on the Rockler web site, the 16/32 and 18/36 both have a 5" diameter drum.
The US manual has a template for trimming the end of 3" wide rolls. http://go.rockler.com/tech/jet-72353...and-manual.pdf (the bottom of Page 9)

Well-spotted ian - I figured it would be unlikely they'd machine two different drum diameters for such similar-sized machines.

So, using that template, it should be easy to get the correct taper angle on 76mm roll, and with minimal stuffing around it should be possible to mark where the paper runs off the other end of the drum and put the same taper on that end. Take care to get the tapers in the right directions......DAMHIKT......

Its more complicated than it appears at first sight, as I have found out the hard way.

The length of the drum on the 18/36 is longer than the drum on the 16/32 (and my old Carbatec WD400.) The 3" or 75mm paper was easy to fit on the old Carbatec.

The angle of the required dangle is dictated by the drum diameter, width of the paper as well as the drum length. After having stuffed around for many hours experimenting with trying to get the 75mm paper to fit, I now understand why Jet went to 86mm paper for this model. Its because the 75mm paper simply will not provide a reasonable fit on the Jet 18/36.

Now for the kicker! A 25 meter roll of 75mm 80 grit is $68. The same spec roll in 85mm is $117. So if you buy this unit prepared for high commensurable costs.

Incidentally, anyone having a new JET 18/36 is a lucky, lucky, barstool....very nice machine

Apparently it is possible to buy a replacement speed controller box with the latest SandSmart feature (automatically adjusts feed speed according to the load on the drum motor) to fit older 16/32 machines like I have. I tend to be pretty conservative on how much I try to take off per pass, but for anyone continually popping the breaker and getting nasty burn marks on their timber (the feed belt just stops...) this might be worth considering.

Originally Posted by TORB

Its more complicated than it appears at first sight, as I have found out the hard way.

The length of the drum on the 18/36 is longer than the drum on the 16/32 (and my old Carbatec WD400.) The 3" or 75mm paper was easy to fit on the old Carbatec.

The angle of the required dangle is dictated by the drum diameter, width of the paper as well as the drum length. After having stuffed around for many hours experimenting with trying to get the 75mm paper to fit, I now understand why Jet went to 86mm paper for this model. Its because the 75mm paper simply will not provide a reasonable fit on the Jet 18/36.

Now for the kicker! A 25 meter roll of 75mm 80 grit is $68. The same spec roll in 85mm is $117. So if you buy this unit prepared for high commensurable costs.

I'm sure it's a matter of (relatively) simple geometry.
Sketching, I get 5 wraps using 3-3/8" (~86mm) wide paper and roughly 6 with 3" paper.
If you steepen the taper angle to around 9.5 degrees, it should be 6 wraps almost exactly.

If you can advise if the paper retaining clips are 90 degrees or 180 degrees off set, I can check tomorrow (my time).

EDIT
can you tell me approximately what length of the tapered piece goes into the retaining clip

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

Apparently it is possible to buy a replacement speed controller box with the latest SandSmart feature (automatically adjusts feed speed according to the load on the drum motor) to fit older 16/32 machines like I have.

It sure is. A mate of mine just bought one. I think he paid $300 for the controller.

With the expensive paper, I wouldn't be too concerned with it, the 25m roll will last you for thousands of metres of wood. The belts last forever. Give them a good clean occasionally (compressed air and the rubber sticks) to ensure longevity.

Thanks for all the suggestions and help Ian.

The retaining clips are 90 degrees. From the spot the paper leaves the drum and starts to go into the clip, to the end of the paper is 42mm. The width of the paper at the end in 20mm. (As an aside, it would be easier to work with the paper if the end bit going into the clip was longer. All that would be required would be to cut off less of the end of the taper.)

Originally Posted by ian

I'm sure it's a matter of (relatively) simple geometry.
Sketching, I get 5 wraps using 3-3/8" (~86mm) wide paper and roughly 6 with 3" paper.
If you steepen the taper angle to around 9.5 degrees, it should be 6 wraps almost exactly.

well, I've had a good look at the geometry and it is relatively simple.

It's just that unfortunately, 3" strips can't be got to work on a 5" diameter, 18" long drum without leaving a substantial portion of the drum uncovered. Nor can 4" wide strips.
3-3/8" wide strips work because the diagonal distance between the retaining clips is an exact multiple of 3-3/8"


the attached diagram shows how the 3-3/8" paper works. (I've used inches because those are the units used by the US user manual I referenced.)