Why invest in a drum sander? The answer is simple, it produces higher quality finish. If you plan on frequently sanding large pieces of wood perfectly flat, then you should consider getting a drum sander. Sanders generally smooth surfaces by abrasion but they should not be used for removal of large amounts of wood.
There are
various sizes of drum sanders. This ranges from small handheld ones to larger
models which operate like bench machines. A drum sander consists of a fixed
base machine with a single or dual drum that is mounted horizontally over a
moving belt. The dual drum sanders are generally reserved for professional
work. They offer time saving features such as larger motors and dual drums to
remove twice the material in one go. Their major downside is that they are
expensive.
The drum is
either made of abrasive material or has the abrasive material attached to it.
Where the drum works with attachable paper, the drum usually has a clamping
feature which allows for quick paper swaps, depending on the grit of the
abrasive paper the operator wants to use. Installing the sandpaper is the first
task you’ll need to carry out. Remove the existing sand paper and re-roll as
you go along. Insert the end of the new sandpaper in the clip and evenly roll
the paper on the drum, ensuring that it is tight. Check for tautness and
alignment as you complete the rolling.
The
bench-type drum sanders are usually installed on their own stand for stability.
Many are equipped with dust containment or dust vacuuming system to prevent
dust or wood debris from flying off. An operator uses both hands when applying
the piece of wood to the drum.
Types of
drum sanders
There are
two main types of drum sanders:
1 open drum
sanders
2 closed
drum sanders
The open
drum sander has the drum suspended over a moving belt. It allows you to double
the width of the wood you can sand. A 16 inch rated sander for example, can be
used to sand a piece of wood that is about 32 inches wide while a closed sander
does not have the ability to reverse wood. Closed sanders are therefore usually
bigger and are generally reserved for industrial use.
When should
you use a drum sander?
The portable
drum sanders are inexpensive and easier to manage than the wide belt sanders.
They are easy to maintain because there are few moving parts and pieces. They
are excellent for smaller pieces of wood because the hold-down rollers are
close together. If you are working with a thin stock which requires precise
finishing, you should get a drum sander. When you are handling a project that
does not require a large width but still needs precision sanding, a bench top
sander is your best bet. Also, if you make large furniture and cabinets, your
project requires perfectly flat surfaces or you are simply the type that wants
a job done perfectly, then you will benefit from the use of a drum sander.
The 16-32
drum sander
The 16 -32
drum sander by JET is a good buy. Jet makes great sanders and their 16-32 is
newly redesigned. The variable speed rate permits you to choose the ideal feed
rate for your project. It comes with a smart feature which monitors the load on
the drum motor continuously to prevent overload. The dust hood has an
integrated channel which mirrors the shape of the drum to optimize dust
collection. This directs chips and dust to the collection part and prevents
them from ruining the finish of the work piece.
Final thoughts
Drum sanders
can be used to perform a wide range of sanding tasks. The traditional drum
sanders are manufactured in widths of 8 to 12 inches. They work fast on floors
that require heavy sanding or those with stains or scratches which need to be
completely removed. The JET 1632 Drum Sander is newly redesigned. The
redesigned conveyor system pulls the work piece through the sander instead of
pushing and it delivers everything you need for an effortless finish.
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