What a drum sander does
The board rides a conveyor under an abrasive-wrapped drum, and the drum is lowered a little at a time. SuperMax's manual says to feed boards against the drum's rotation, and to turn the height handle no more than a third of a turn at a time; Grizzly's manual likewise sets depth with a handwheel and scale. The result is a board brought to an even, flat surface by abrasion, a little at a time; it is not a planer and not a floor sander.
Reading the capacity
| Model | Width | Thickness | Drum | Feed | Dust |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SuperMax 19-38 | 38 in in 2 passes (19 in drum) | 1/32–4 in (typical) | 5 in, 1,740 rpm | 0–10 ft/min | 4 in port |
| SuperMax 16-32 | 32 in in 2 passes (16 in drum) | 1/32–3 in | 5 × 16 in, 1,740 rpm | 0–10 ft/min | 4 in port; collector of at least 600 cfm |
| Grizzly G0716 | 9-1/2 in | 1/4–3 in | Sandpaper speed 2,300 ft/min | 0–10 ft/min | 4 in port; 400 CFM at the port |
From the SuperMax 19-38 and 16-32 and Grizzly G0716 manuals. The two speed columns use different measures (drum rpm; sandpaper ft/min) and are not comparable.
- One pass and two. An open-end machine has its drum supported on one side only, so a board wider than the drum can be sanded in two passes. SuperMax states the 19-38's 38 in as a two-pass width on a 19 in drum. A single pass covers the drum's length, not the headline figure.
- The overlap. SuperMax's manual warns that stock wider than the drum can show an overlap line or ridge where the part extends beyond it, and describes adjusting the drum's alignment and testing on scrap to prevent it.
- Thickness. The range is the thinnest and thickest stock the machine accepts — SuperMax calls its 19-38 figures typical. Minimum length matters too: 2-1/4 in on the 19-38, 4-3/4 in on Grizzly's G0716.
- Speed figures. SuperMax gives drum speed in rpm, Grizzly the speed of the sandpaper in ft/min. They describe different things.
- Dust figures. SuperMax gives a minimum dust collector capacity (600 cfm for the 16-32); Grizzly gives 400 CFM needed at the dust port and warns not to confuse that with a collector's rating. Grizzly's point is that the airflow at the port depends on the whole system between it and the collector.
Setting up and running
From the manuals
Disconnect power before adjusting
Both makers' manuals say to unplug or disconnect the machine before adjustments and abrasive changes.
Fit and tension the abrasive
The wrap is wound on the drum and held by its fasteners as the manual shows; SuperMax gives the wrap length for each drum.
Set the drum to the stock
SuperMax's rule of thumb: lower the drum until it touches the stock but can still be turned by hand.
Take light passes
No more than a third of a turn of the height handle at a time, SuperMax says, with the feed rate set so the machine is not overloaded.
Support long work
SuperMax says to have support at the outfeed side to receive and control the stock as it leaves the machine.
Grits and sequence are the same subject as for any sander — see how to sand wood and choosing sandpaper. For buying a smaller machine, see benchtop drum sanders. Dust from a drum sander is fine and copious; OSHA's preferred control is exhaust at the source.
Setting up a drum sander
- Power disconnected before any adjustment or abrasive change
- Abrasive wrapped and fastened as the manual shows
- Drum set to touch the stock, then light passes only
- Boards fed against the drum's rotation
- Outfeed support for long stock
- Dust collection sized as the maker states, at the port
Sources
Capacities are each maker's for the model named; 'typical' and 'two passes' are the makers' words and are kept. SuperMax gives drum speed in rpm and Grizzly gives sandpaper speed in ft/min; the two are not converted or compared. Floor sanders and industrial wide-belt sanders are a different class and are not covered.
- 1.
19-38 Drum Sander, Owner's Manual. SuperMax Tools (Laguna Tools).
Used for: The 19-38's 19 in drum and 38 in maximum width in two passes; 5 in drum at 1,740 rpm; 4 in dust port; thickness 1/32 to 4 in typical; minimum length 2-1/4 in; boards fed against the drum's rotation; the height handle turned no more than a third of a turn at a time; wide stock risking an overlap line or ridge, corrected by adjusting the drum and testing on scrap; the machine unplugged before adjustment.
- 2.
16-32 Drum Sander, Owner's Manual. SuperMax Tools (Laguna Tools).
Used for: The 16-32's 5 × 16 in drum at 1,740 rpm, 32 in maximum width in two passes, 3 in maximum and 1/32 in minimum thickness, 0–10 ft/min conveyor, 4 in port and 600 cfm minimum recommended dust collector capacity.
- 3.
Model G0716 10" Drum Sander, Owner's Manual. Grizzly Industrial.
Used for: The G0716's 9-1/2 in maximum board width, 1/4 to 3 in thickness, 4-3/4 in minimum length, sandpaper speed of 2,300 ft/min, 0–10 ft/min feed, 4 in port, and 400 CFM recommended at the dust port — not to be confused with a collector's rating.
- 4.
Wood Dust: Possible Solutions. U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Used for: Exhaust ventilation at the source as the preferred control for wood dust.
About this guide
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