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Need help with Rockwell drum sander
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=28153		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Greenman [ Sat Jul 10, 2010 3:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Need help with Rockwell drum sander
[xx(] I am have trouble with my drum sander and I hope others that have this machine can help me out. The issue I am have is a little strange. It seems like the wood is warping while I am sanding it and then it stalls the machine. I just checked and I can't see any adjustment on the hold down rollers. Maybe it is my imagination but I am sanding ok and then the machine stalls after sanding a quarter of the piece this is after the wood is rough thickness so I don't think I am hogging off to much. Maybe the drive belt is loose or wore. I am not super satisfied with this machine it is relatively accurate but I can't sand very quickly as I run into the above problem. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I have had alot of experience with machinery and I understand the concept of the machine maybe I am expecting something it can't do. Thanks Bill the Greenman
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Sat Jul 10, 2010 7:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Need help with Rockwell drum sander
I do not know your machine, but it does sound like you are pushing it too hard. What is the drum size and motor horse power? How long have you been using this machine?
Author:  Lillian F-W [ Sat Jul 10, 2010 7:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Need help with Rockwell drum sander
If I was to hazard a guess, I would say that your out feed table is not co-planer, causing your wood to rise as it exits.
Author:  Howard Klepper [ Sun Jul 11, 2010 1:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Need help with Rockwell drum sander
I nursed wood through one of those for years, and am glad I don't do that any more. It's 90% likely that you are hogging off too much. Actually, "hogging" is not in this machine's vocabulary.

You can sand very accurately with one, though. The main thing is that on a wide piece of hardwood you can only take off a few thousandths at a time. That's right, 4 or 5 thousandths at a pass will max it out on a rosewood guitar back. The wood isn't warping, it just takes a few seconds before heat builds up and the machine bogs down. Try advancing the height adjustment wheel by about 1/12 of a turn per pass. Also, what grit are you using? Anything finer than 80 is going to have problems. Feed the piece at an angle to the grain, taking advantage of the open end, and you will get a lot less clogging of the paper with resins, if that becomes a problem (it will on tropical oily woods). Don't feed too slow; it's happier taking a lighter cut at a faster feed rate than vice versa.
Author:  Greenman [ Wed Jul 14, 2010 3:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Need help with Rockwell drum sander
:mrgreen: Thanks Howard- I have been trying to take off to much. It takes a long time to get the job done. Has anyone had experience with the Supermax 25" single drum? That looks like a nice machine. I have two places that will sell me time on there wide belt sander maybe that is the way to go
Author:  Greenman [ Fri Sep 03, 2010 7:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Need help with Rockwell drum sander
[xx(] Well I thought I was finally having some good luck with this machine and it just stopped today? I am concerned that it is the motor. It has a thermal button but it didn't pop. I would like any input from other users of this machine. This machine really doesn't have alot of hours on it I would be surprised if the motor was shot. If it is bad the dilema is do I fix a machine that I have had mixed results with. It is not worth much with a bad motor. Today I switched to 60 grit and was taking light passes when it stopped. Thanks for any ideas. Bill the Greenman
Author:  Burton LeGeyt [ Fri Sep 03, 2010 7:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Need help with Rockwell drum sander
I had this happen once. Took the motor off and we all stared at it for a long time until someone pushed the overload button a LOT harder than anyone else had and it was all better. Eventually the table raising mechanism died and we still have had no luck keeping it working for more than a week or two, it just seizes up and the table is stuck. I agree too that it did stall easily. We changed the belt configuration and that did help but I can't remember what it was on and what it is on now.
Author:  Greenman [ Fri Sep 03, 2010 7:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Need help with Rockwell drum sander
:mrgreen: Burton you are a genius. I will sleep better tonight thanks to you. It was the reset button! You have to push it really hard. I have a new model of this machine and they seem to have addressed the table raising issue somewhat but it is not really the hot set up. I have to nurse this thing along until I can afford something better. We know each other. We shared the back seat of Brad Goodmans Van on the way to John Hall's open house. Thanks again for your help. Best Regards Bill-the greenman
Author:  Burton LeGeyt [ Fri Sep 03, 2010 7:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Need help with Rockwell drum sander
Hey Bill! That is you. I am glad that worked. We felt kind of silly when all it was was that button but dang you really have to lean in to that thing. That sander is not so bad, when it was working well it was great. The one I have experience on was abused pretty good before I got to it so if you are good to it from the get go I think it is a good machine.

Hope all is well with you Bill!
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