Sanding

[knothead]

I need some feedback from users of pneumatic drum sanders. I believe it could be the only tool in the world I don't have.
Are they worth it?
How much time does it save?
Can you do contours without rolling the piece?
Do they give a good finish?
How long does a sand paper sleeve last?
What size is the best?
Also, which is better, drill press mount, lathe mount or free standing????
Thanks
Tom

[jimp11]

HI there the best for intarisa I have 3 sizes I use mostly the drill press but
i use motor mount flex cable for the small pieces.

jim

[Janette]

I use flex drum sanders on a drill press for the majority of my shaping/sanding. They're inexpensive (about $5 each) and as they wear, I simply put them down a notch in the pecking order and make them finer grits rather than toss them.

[Neal Moore]

Tom...I bought the "stand alone" unit from SEYCO advertised in the last issue of SSW&C. It isn't pneumatic but has flexible drums which hold the cylindrical sanding sleeves. I've done five or six intarsia projects with it thus far and there is actually no noticeable wear in the sanding sleeves. It's a really versitile little machine and comes in handy for projects other than intarsia. It's a little "pricey" but, in my opinion, well worth the money. BTW....it sands skin REALLY well!!!!!

[Janette]

The one problem with the flex drum sanders is that they easily "melt" or "burn" the foam inside portion and put undesirable grooves into it. And if it's cold in your shop, the sleeves tend to slip very easily, even with the little sandpaper attachments inside. Overall tho, they're a good value and easy to work with.

[hillmanjim]

I use the drum from JGR and it has worked well. Yes, if you stay in one spot it will get hot and melt the foam making a groove. To stop the slipping I spray a little Elmer's Craft Bond spray adhesive on the foam before putting the sanding sleeve on...just a little remember. I also mount a vacuum to the drill press to suck up dust as my major sanding is done with the drum and it kicks off dust which is irritating to my nose and gets all over the garage. The vacuum gets about 60% of the dust...a guess. Never used an inflatable drum.
Jim

[timbopete]

Hi Tom,

I have used the pnuematic sanding drums on my drill press and they work very well. On a drill press you will have to do some blind sanding, but as long as you have the pencil marks and don't sand past them you should be ok.

It is important to have varios sizes because one size doesn't fit all situations.

I just resently purchase a double pnuematic drum sander from Grizzly for $195 and it is awesom. I have a 4and 5/8 by 8" drum on one side and a 3 and 1/2 by 8" on the other side. It works great and you can actually see where you are sanding.

Good luck Tom,

Tim

[Kevin12]

I've been looking into sanding drums myself. Janette, it sounds like you use the flex drums as "disposable." I might give them a try before leaping into the more expensive pneumatic drums, but I'm having trouble finding them. Do they go by some other name? Where do you get yours?

Thanks.

[Janette]

I get them from Judy Gayle Roberts www.intarsia.net
Get the kit first, which is about 32 and has the arbor to mount onto your drill press- after that the sleeves with the foam are about $5. They last me a long time. I use a 100 grit first for rough shaping then 220. If you don't mind pulling the flex drum sander off the arbor to switch each time, you can get away with one- which is what I do. I got a mop sander for Christmas and use that now quite a bit too after for easing the edges. That is available at RJR Studios. It leaves a nice burnished soft feel to the wood.

[lucky788scroller]

www.seyco.com sells a soft drum sander and sanding sleeves. I have them, and like them , mounted on the lathe. This is my inflatable drum sander review of the machine Santa claus left for me Flex sander review Dale