DIY drum sander

[ken cierp]

OK -- our (KMG) main sander is a dual drum 37" Supermax with a 7 HP motor, even at that the machine is not a planer it a finishing tool to the extent that these machines are designed to take light cuts rather then hogging off material like a surfacer.

We also have a small Jet as well all the drums happen to be about five inches in diameter -- hollow by design for cooling. Rob you'll be fine no matter what you do --- unless you are adding a driven belt feed conveyor these gadgets are as simple in operation and design as they look. Search with google and you'll find five/ten or so already built in every conceivable configuration -- as a matter of fact I have an old Guild of America luther's article showing (I think) one of Gruhns's early sanders it had no bearing at all just a hole drilled through some Mahogany with oil on it!! No kidding.

[ken cierp]

Dave -- the sander made from the pass around plan is a "Rolls Royce" compared to the pic you posted -- wait and see!

[ken cierp]

Rob --- I left out the main point -- you will stall the drum long before you bend it.