Thread: Drum sander WIP

The new toy in the workshop... but not finished yet.
Based on Sturdee's pictures and some scans I had through e-mail. All made of pine, except for the motor mount plate which is oregon and MDF and the braceing made of hardwood scraps.
The drum is 725 wide and has a usable width of 700mm and a maximum depth of work is 150mm. A 110mm diameter steel tube on ply bosses with taper locks holding onto a 25mm shaft and self-center bearings. It seems to run fairly true, but maybe about 1/4mm off center (Bent tube?)
Solid as a rock and I can take 4mm swipes with 100 grit paper. The paper is too fine, so I need to get down to 60, or 80. The taperlocks make changing the drum a breeze, so I can have various grit drums if I need them for fine work.

Picture 1 shows the table adjustment handle and the bearing support unbolts to change drums.

Picture 2 is the cantilever setup that changes the height of the table. Braced with some good chunky steel angle iron.

Picture 3 is the business end. A .55kw, 3 phase motor and a 6.5 to 1 ratio bearbox. It's driven from a 240V inverter, so I can do nifty things with it. Ramp up in 10 seconds for a slow start and ramp down in 2 seconds for a quick stop.
I'm overdriving the motor at the moment, but I might end up changing the pulley ratios to drop the motor revs down a little. I'll put a motor speed control dial on it when I get the chance and maybe a fwd/rev switch.

Picture 4 is a general shot... yet to be done is dust collection, vee-belt guard and a little trimming up. On this end of the sander, I plan to put a 17" face plate sander and work a flat belt sander into the deal as well.

All up, it sands like a beauty and I'm really happy with the way it all turned out. A bit of bracing is needed on the table, but that might be tomorrow's job. Cost so far is about $60 for the pine.