Drum/Spindle Sander - Renovation

[scockram]

Here's the second question.

How best to renovate or replace the drum on this;

It's another tool that I inherited from my late father, another of his homemade jobs, based on a big old lazy industrial motor, (so no shortage of power). I'm not sure if it's a drum or spindle sander, hence the title. Any definitions please?

The problem is that the foam around the drum, under the sanding belt, has worn or shrunk so that it now slips excessively. I'm not sure how best to fix it. I assumed I could just buy a standard replacement drum, it's 150mm/6 inches, but haven't been able to find anything yet. Apart from that it looks like my dad glued it on with some kind of epoxy resin or glue, so it won't be easy to get the old one off at all. I guess the only other option is to replace the foam. But what with? It has to be a fairly specific thickness to fit the belt tightly, but not so tightly that I can't get it on. I have no idea where he got the original stuff from, or it's original dimensions.

 

[scockram]

Just giving this a gentle bump as I've not yet got around to fixing it. Any ideas anyone?

 

[heimlaga]

I have seen those drums for sale separately........... but I have yet to see a successful relining of a worn out drum.

 

[scockram]

I have seen those drums for sale separately........... but I have yet to see a successful relining of a worn out drum.

Great, that's a start, thanks. Any idea where you've seen the drums for sale please? I've searched around previously but in vain.

 

[Fitzroy]

I have more questions than answers! Without the knowledge of how it was constructed it looks very hard to replace, the drum looks glued on the shaft, the foam glued to the solid drum.

I'd suspect the foam liner was inserted into a self made sanding belt and then the whole lot slid over the solid drum with wet glue. The black foam looks to be a length of 25mm thick material as there is a join at the 5 o'clock position in the 3rd photo.

Fitz

 

[Nail]

I would be tempted to convert it to a belt sander.

 

[scockram]

I have more questions than answers! Without the knowledge of how it was constructed it looks very hard to replace, the drum looks glued on the shaft, the foam glued to the solid drum.

I'd suspect the foam liner was inserted into a self made sanding belt and then the whole lot slid over the solid drum with wet glue. The black foam looks to be a length of 25mm thick material as there is a join at the 5 o'clock position in the 3rd photo.

Fitz

Top marks for the analysis there Fitz! You've actually answered a few of your own questions I think.

The drum is made from three thinknesses of MDF, glued together and then turned round I assume. This is then glued onto the the shaft, probably with Araldite I'd guess.

I like your idea about the foam liner installation. I've been quite mystified by how he managed to glue it into place. It is indeed joined at the 5 o'clock position. You may well be right about it being 25mm thick initially. I was pleased to find a supplier of neoprene foam, which is what the original was I think, of the right width, 75mm. Unfortunately though I estimated it to be 20mm that I required. It's proven to be slightly to thin so I've resorted to putting an additional layer of thin foam on first. Not convinced that'll be right though. That's the stage I've got to now, after ignoring the job for a year!

Don't know why I didn't just do it properly in the first place and actually calculate the thickness required, based on the outer diameter! The sanding belt isn't self-made, it's a poper bought one from somewhere.

I'd rather replace the whole drum and caboodle really, for something more effective at holding the sandpaper. As even if I do it successfully this time, it'll need doing again before too long when the foam wears and shrinks.

 

[scockram]

I would be tempted to convert it to a belt sander.

Now that is a very good idea. I'm tempted as well now, never thought of that before.