Drum sanders

[Pegasus Guitars]

I was asked by a friend today for a recommendation for a small drum sander. I use a wide belt sander, so could not help him, but said I'd ask around. He was told by Shop Fox not to sand anything to less than 3.5mm and to not use a backing board due to kickback. That does not seem right to me, but that's what he was told.So, if you can provide any experience with currently available drum sander, I'd appreciate it. Probably not looking for the higher dollar sanders. Thanks and enjoy your music!-Bob

[resoman]

I have a Jet 16-32 plus that I just love but I believe it's in the neighborhood $1000.00-$1100.00 so prob wont work for him. I sand down to 1/16" often

[Allen]

I use a 24" wide twin drum sander marketed here in Australia by Carbatec. Made in China.

It's a huge step up from the Jet/Performax ones that are cantilevered. I can easily sand down to 1.0mm just on the rubber conveyor belt.

[dwizum]

I have a Jet 10-20. It definitely fits the bill of "smaller drum sander" yet it has plenty of power and good build quality. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. It will go thinner than you'll ever need for uke work, I routinely sand material that's approaching veneer thickness (for headplate veneers and other purposes). I do this right on the conveyor belt, no backer. Some other small sanders have travel stops that would prevent this, at least without a backer board. The 10" width is enough to sand a glued up back or soundboard for a tenor uke, or you can do wider pieces in multiple passes since it's cantilevered. If I had the space for a bigger sander I'd probably own one instead of this, but this thing is extremely convenient in a small crowded shop since I can just set it on my main workbench when I'm using it, or set it out of the way in storage when I'm not.

My only other real reference for a drum sander is the one a friend of mine owned until he recently moved and sold it - it was a gigantic dual drum machine that was a total powerhouse. And nearly the size of a small car. I thought I would hate every second of using a small machine after being used to that monster, but I was more than surprised with how nice this Jet is.

[ktuurna]

I bought Jet 16-32 about 2 years ago and I like it very much.

[Timbuck]

The new Jet 10-20 + looks good to me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O8lJiRYQ2Q
..The old version with the stripped thread problems is a no no.

[saltytri]

Bob, may I ask where your friend lives?

[vtuker]

Hi, I'm the friend referenced in Bob's post. I live in Vermont am limited in space and ability to move heavy machinery into my basement shop. I currently use a helix head planer with a backing board but it's real tough on thin figured wood. I appreciate all the input. I have seen the Jet 10-20 write top but it's nice to know real people who have experience with the tool. Thanks again for the input!

[sequoia]

I think it needs to be emphasized that drum sanders are great machines for thinning wood and an absolute must for a shop that puts out a lot of ukuleles, but a person just starting out or a person who only plans on building one or two or maybe three ukes, a block plane and a orbital sander will do the job just fine. In other words, you don't necessarily need a drum sander to make an ukulele.

[tparse]

Build your own... cost is low. Plenty of info on the web. I have build three of these and they work great. I have a 16- 32 sander to do heavy work but you can do anything with this one. It does not have a mechanical feed. You must push it through (I call it a meat servo) but I find that with feel it works great.... I use it to size nuts and saddles also.... bindings ....almost everythingDSCF4611.jpg