Drum Sander

[Sycamore67]

I have been thinking about building a drum sander for quite awhile and recently built one.  It is powered by my Shopsmith Mark 5 which I purchased many years ago for $125.  Mine is loosely based upon the StumpyNubs version and the one built by Shipwright on the Lumberjocks forum.

The drum is built with a 5/8" steel rod and 4" plywood disks and is about 18" long.  The disks were glued together and then turned using the Shopsmith as a lathe.  The end of the shaft connects with the Shopsmith and the speed can be varied. The ends of the shafts are also supported with sealed bearings.  The top is based upon the StumpyNubs design with the 2" wide aluminum bar set into the baltic birch top.  

The sand paper is hook and loop.  The Velcro on the drum was ordered on Amazon and is the industrial strength velcro and works well.  

This was not a real easy build.  Getting the drum the same diameter along the length and running true took some time.  The top also took a lot of time and getting it aligned with the drum was also time consuming.  

I added a PVC pipe running through the sander to collect the dust and it works pretty well but I am working to improve it.  

I have been using it to clean up some boards for projects and also for making some boxes with finger joints.  I am pleased with it.  

It is also possible to add a thickness sander to this design by going under the drum.  I have not done this yet and will have to decide if I want this added feature.  

 

Edited May 2, 2017 by Sycamore67
spelling

[stevan]

That looks great but I think it might be too much work for a less-than-serious hobbyist like me.

[Sycamore67]

It is quite a bit of work but I enjoyed the challenge.

An 18 x 2 one at Stockroom Supply is $465.

The parts including the drum and top is about $365 and these do not include motors.

I have less than $150 in the one I built.

[Scrappile]

very interesting.  Job well done.  I like the variable speed control also.  There are many time I wish I could vary the speed on my belt and disk sanders.  I have Stumpynub's plans, maybe I will get brave enough to try it someday.

[meflick]

Nice DIY job you have done.  thanks for sharing photos and info. on it.

[WayneMahler]

Good looking sander. Well done. Have thought about building one many times, just don't have enough time to devote to it. Sounds like you have all the amenities too, variable speed and all. Great job and photos. Thanks for sharing.

[hawkeye10]

3 hours ago, Sycamore67 said:

I have been thinking about building a drum sander for quite awhile and recently built one.  It is powered by my Shopsmith Mark 5 which I purchased many years ago for $125.  Mine is loosely based upon the StumpyNubs version and the one built by Shipwright on the Lumberjocks forum.

The drum is built with a 5/8" steel rod and 4" plywood disks and is about 18" long.  The disks were glued together and then turned using the Shopsmith as a lathe.  The end of the shaft connects with the Shopsmith and the speed can be varied. The ends of the shafts are also supported with sealed bearings.  The top is based upon the StumpyNubs design with the 2" wide aluminum bar set into the baltic birch top.  

The sand paper is hook and loop.  The Velcro on the drum was ordered on Amazon and is the industrial strength velcro and works well.  

This was not a real easy build.  Getting the drum the same diameter along the length and running true took some time.  The top also took a lot of time and getting it aligned with the drum was also time consuming.  

I added a PVC pipe running through the sander to collect the dust and it works pretty well but I am working to improve it.  

I have been using it to clean up some boards for projects and also for making some boxes with finger joints.  I am pleased with it.  

It is also possible to add a thickness sander to this design by going under the drum.  I have not done this yet and will have to decide if I want this added feature.  

 

Larry that is nice. How do you keep the same pressure one board so it will be flat after running it through?

[oldhudson]

Awesome build. I'm sure you'll keep tinkering with it - ahh the joys of building your own tools.

There's not much you can't do with a Shopsmith if you're a little creative. 

[amazingkevin]

On 5/2/2017 at 7:46 AM, Sycamore67 said:

I have been thinking about building a drum sander for quite awhile and recently built one.  It is powered by my Shopsmith Mark 5 which I purchased many years ago for $125.  Mine is loosely based upon the StumpyNubs version and the one built by Shipwright on the Lumberjocks forum.

The drum is built with a 5/8" steel rod and 4" plywood disks and is about 18" long.  The disks were glued together and then turned using the Shopsmith as a lathe.  The end of the shaft connects with the Shopsmith and the speed can be varied. The ends of the shafts are also supported with sealed bearings.  The top is based upon the StumpyNubs design with the 2" wide aluminum bar set into the baltic birch top.  

The sand paper is hook and loop.  The Velcro on the drum was ordered on Amazon and is the industrial strength velcro and works well.  

This was not a real easy build.  Getting the drum the same diameter along the length and running true took some time.  The top also took a lot of time and getting it aligned with the drum was also time consuming.  

I added a PVC pipe running through the sander to collect the dust and it works pretty well but I am working to improve it.  

I have been using it to clean up some boards for projects and also for making some boxes with finger joints.  I am pleased with it.  

It is also possible to add a thickness sander to this design by going under the drum.  I have not done this yet and will have to decide if I want this added feature.  

 

You did it up very nice.i'm sure you smile every time you use it now.What else do you have on your bucket list as far as shop gizmos?