How to prevent Drum sander belt clogging

[Ian]

Hi

I have some ebony for a project and I want to use the drum sander for the final passes to remove any tear out, I was wondering if anyone had any tips or what the best abrasive would be to reduce the amount of belt clogging that happens when machine sanding this type of wood.

Cheers

Ian

 

[Keenedge]

You can buy sanding belt cleaner blocks which are a rubber compound, you can also use scrunched up plastic bags or crepe type shoe soles. Watch your fingers!!!

 

[Ian]

sorry should have mentioned I have used these and they work great for general woods but for ebony no so good, I was hoping to find a abrasive that would deal better with this.

cheers

Ian

 

[Kalimna]

Don't know if this will help, but having run some macassar ebony guitar billets (along with fingerboards) through a Performax drum dander, I didnt have a problem with their standard sandpaper when light cuts were taken and fed through at an angle to aide the prevention of burning.
Perhaps if it is for finishing, then a hand sander would be better if you are still having trouble?

Adam

 

[markymark12]

Hi

This one interests me also. I recently tried to run some cocobolo through the drum sander, and it clogs the abrasive within minutes despite very good extraction. I have tried the anti static type, open coat, semi open anti static, allsorts and have yet to find something which does not clog up very quickly. One i have not used is this http://www.abrasivesplus.com/epages/abr ... View/12758
has anyone tried it or can offer up ideas for alternatives. What do companies use that process this stuff.

 

[Ian]

This is exactly the problem I am having.

I have used the ceramic abrasive and is great but not for these woods.
http://www.abrasivesplus.com/epages/abr ... View/12758


I have even tried putting some talc over the wood first to act as a lubricant but with the same results.

Ian

 

[markymark12]

Thanks Ian

That saved me a few quid. I have not tried this one before so i was going to try it out, but given your comments i will look else where. I know a lot of guys hold 3M abrasives in high regard, but having looked at the uk site they offer very little in roll form. The other one i was thinking of was Klingspor.
From what i have gathered i believe the best option would be an open coated, anti static paper/cloth. Just need to find it now. Klingspor do one which is paper backed PS 23 F , but they only have it in 110mm widths and i only need 75mm. Always the way, mind you need to find someone who sells it first.

 

[Ian]

Hi Marky

Yes thats sounds like a step in the right direction, I will have a search myself later.

I emailed csm abrasives to see what they would recommend as most of there open coat papers are 115mm wide bit of a pain that.

If you do find one let me know.

cheers

Ian

 

[markymark12]

Will do

I am sure it is something someone will have dealt with prior and with luck they will see the thread and point us both in the right direction