Drum sander sled

[Dave Bagwill]

I've gotten a little tired of adjusting the tilt on the 16-32 drum sander; being an open-end machine means that adjustments are needed now and then.
There is one spot in the adjustment where the machine is very happy - it always wants to go back to that spot; unfortunately that spot does not give a drum that is parallel to the bed.
So like many others, I made a sled. I put the drum angle into its happy place, ran a 16"x 24" piece of 3/4" ply through repeatedly, lowering the drum incrementally until all the witness marks came off in one pass. So now the sled is the bed and I put the guitar top/back whatever on the sled and run them both through. Should be much less hassle forthwith.

[John Parchem]

That sound like a good idea. Don't run the sled through backwards!

[Dave Bagwill]

Aaaaack!
Actually I've got arrows all over it; if I miss those I deserve what happens. :-)

[John Link]

Very nice idea. Obvious, like all great ideas, once someone says it.

[Jim Ebert]

I was going to make a sled two days ago out of MDF, but I didn't have a piece handy. Do you think 3/4 MDF would work Okay?

[Dave Bagwill]

I don't see why not , Jim.
You'll be keeping a sharp eye on humidity anyway of course; that stuff will warp.

[ken cierp]

MDF is pretty stable unless you get it wet.