Official Luthiers Forum!

The last board set I ran through looked like the drum was off balance. Seems unlikely. Its only got about 2 hours of use. A while a go someone posted a play by play on how to correct the imbalance if it has one. I would appriciate that link again. I can't find it.
The more likely culpret is the sand paper. I CAN'T GET IT ON TIGHT
The directions on the funky little tool suck. How do I get it on tight? I searched youtube. Nothin'

I will be at Blues Creek tomorrow if anyone can show me.
I am listed as YS John

John,

I've got the same drum sander, and I've struggled with the "tool" (using the term loosely) that is used to lever the springs which clamp the sandpaper down. Getting the paper on absolutely tight and flat is critical. If it isn't, I've found that the drum sander will
1) make an awful racket,
2) take gouges out of the wood, and untimately
3) shred the paper, sending bits of paper and grit everywhere.

Won't see you at Blues Creek tomorrow - have a camping trip with my 6 year old.

Here's what I do to get the paper flush.
1. anchor it on the left side of the drum, make sure it's gripped properly under the spring clamp.
2. Roll the drum by hand, paying attention to tightly wrapping the sandpaper, with no overlap, but almost up tight to the last wrap (1/64th of an inch gap?)
3. When you've wrapped it up to the other side, you should have the right amount of remaining "tab" to insert in the right side clamp. Too much and you've probably wrapped the paper with too much gap between "wraps". Push it in the clamp by hand. Now the tricky part, and I found that the directions do indeed, suck. I'll try to describe what I do.
4. Take that tool, and insert the hook in the hole on the right spring clamp, from behind. Pull it towards you, and twist to the right. This will lock the spring in the open position. Make sure the paper is totally tight, and flat to the drum. Twist the tool back to the left, releasing the spring, as you hold the paper tight and flush. If there's still a little play in the paper, you can use the tool to release the spring just a little, to push the paper flush.

Hope this helps. I've also found with this sander (and probably others) that you can't go too fine on the paper. 120 grit, for example, is almost worthless - it clogs with sawdust, and creates high spots which will burn the wood, rather than sanding it. I use 80 grit for most everything when thicknessing, and take small amounts off with each pass.

All that said, I do like the tool and find it pretty accurate. If after this, you're drum is still not level, perhaps someone else on the forum can help. I've not had to level the drum - not sure the process. Good luck!

I've got a 10-20 and pretty much do the same as Corky. 90 grit here as well.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Hi John - I have the same sander and have used it for several years - I'll be at Blues Creek tomorrow and would be glad to chat about my experiences with it. I think the directions left out some of the verses to the chant that you have to repeat as you wrap the sandpaper around the drum. I'll look for you tomorrow. Bill Tolan

Once you have solved the paper problem, you may want to look at this:

viewtopic.php?f=10117&t=25090&p=338903#p338903

There are differences between the 10-20, 16-32, and 22-44, but the principle is the same.

Mike

Thanks Corky. Wish you could have made it. Do you have ASIA2011 in the calendar?
I'll try it out. If I don't get straight with it tonight I'll bring it along and walk to the chanting area .

I think it will help if you understand what the tool is doing and how that gripper works. More than likely, you do not have the tip of the sand paper in the right location for the gripping pawls to pull it in. I have made that mistake before. I know it is cramped in there and getting a good look can be difficult. But shine a bright light in there and play with the mechanism. You dont need the tool to do this either, although it does make things easier once you get the hang of it. I change my paper every three months or so, and find that I have to re-educate myself occasionally.

Mike