Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi all.

I finished my new drum sander a few months ago, but only got to really try it on hard wood just now. I'm having issues with the sand paper I use. It seems that the heat generated melts the sand paper glue and moves the abrasive around, thus creating bumps of goaky sand paper on my drum.

Since I'm using common Mastercraft sandpaper (from Candaian Tire, a local hardware store any canadian knows well), I'm wondering if I need to get special heat resistant sand paper for that?

What do you guys use for your drum sanders? And what grit, if I may add?

Thanks!

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

I use roll sans paper from Langevin & Forest.
4" x 120" , 80 grit Item no 2936 $12.
This work for me!
Its made by SIA from Switzerland
Its longer than what I need, but the surplus can be used in the shop.

Thanks Alain.

I'm suppose to go there on Monday. I'll grab a roll on my way out!

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

Did you make a feeder for your sander?

I use velcro backed paper from Klingspor, it comes in rolls that are 50 yards I think. I use 60 - 80 - 100 grit paper depending on the wood. I am very happy with the paper, it seems like the velcro backing cushions the paper just enough to avoid some heat build up on the drum / wood. This paper will last a long time even on hard, oily woods like cocobolo. Tony Karol and Ron Wisdom told us about this paper a while back; thanks guys!

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

As Arnt stated I am using the velcro backed Klingspor paper, but have no mating velcro on the drum .. it got to be a huge PITA to get it to roll on staight and tight when I first did have it on. I took that off, and then contact cemented rubber gasket material to the MDF drum. It adds just enough cushioning so that the paper is not being ground to bits betweent he wood and the drum itself. This makes the paper last much longer IMO, and reduces heat and the ability of the paper to clot up with resins . Its also a stearated paper, which again hepls out here immensely. I attacht he paper to the drum with a screwed in wedge clamp at one end, then a stainless band clamp at the other. You will also find that the paper will stretch in use after a while, and needs to be snugged up at the band clamp end.

I also use a sled, and run the wood through numurous times at the same table setting once I get close to the thickness I am after - that gets it nice and even.

As far as using crappy tire (common name for the Cdn Tire chain here in Canada) paper ... never !!!

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Thanks Tony.

I'll start with Langevin-Forest first, since it's easier to get to. But if that doesn't work as good as I'd like, I'll try the Klingspor.

By the way, where do you buy it?

Thanks again!

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

Stockroom Supply, I think it is here in Ontario somewhere .. I see them at the wood shows, and they have mail order as well, free shipping over a certain amount.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Thanks for the info Tony!

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

Ok, I tried the SIA one from Langevin-Forest and my drum sander is working MUUUUUUUCH better!

Thanks Alain!

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

Save the grief, and don't go the hook and loop route...

just get good, stiff abrasive. Nothing from CDN Tire will do.

I fanally solved my problems with burning the wood and sandpaper that broke (usually at the end where the spring tensioner is). I quit buying the Jet sandpaper and started experimented with other brands. One of the other things I did was to go from 120 grit paper to 80 grit paper. This paper is a little more agressive for dense back and side woods and helps quite a bit to speed up the sanding process. One problem I still have is that it sometimes leaves small grooves in the wood, which can be a bear to sand out later with a ROS. If someone knows of a trick to eliminate the grooves (beside changing to a higher grit paper, I would be interested.

I have just bought quite a bit of 100 grit paper that I want to try. I am hoping that this will help by being in between the paper that burns and the paper that leaves the grooves.

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Reguards,

Ken H

Using 80 grit as well, I noticed those grooves too. I took care of that with a cabinet scraper. Went pretty fast.

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)