Official Luthiers Forum!

So I just got a score on this drum sander that I've been looking to get for a while now. Can't wait to set everything up and start sanding!!

So first question I have for anyone familiar with this, is it suppose to lower as easily as it goes up?

I have had one for four years and love it! Yes it should go both ways easily. Now having said that, spend some time setting it up carefully. Most are not adjusted correctly. When properly set up you can take just a thousandth or two each pass or hog off a bunch at one time. I put my drum on the highest speed pully and run the wood through at a fast pace. I just take a little bite at one time so the paper doesn't load up. It goes quickly enough with the speeds set high and little bites. Be sure to use dust collection, makes HUGE clouds of dust.

Great machine!
Mikey

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The Biggest Little City, Nevada
www.hammondguitars.com
I love building guitars!

Mikey, I just tried lowering it and looks like only one of the lowering screws wants to turn while the rest don't even move. I don't know if it's the belt issue or just has been sitting for a while. I turn to lower it and there is this resistance, and I don't want to crank it too hard and accidentally break it

Maks,

That looks like one of the older x5 deltas. They are notorious for problems with the elevator. If it becomes hard to turn, disassemble it and figure out why because the next phase of the problem is when the chain and sprockets that drive the 4 lead screws skips or gets damaged. When that happens the repair cost goes way up (which is why there are so many used ones for sale with elevator problems).

If the drive chain or sprockets are not damaged, it is most likely just gummed up treads on one or more of the lead screws and will work fine after a good cleaning and re-lube. Good dust collection is a must on these to keep the dust away from the screws and prevent this problem. The problem with the dust is not only that it gums up the threads - it also traps water which makes things rust. if the lead screws are rusted you will need to clean up the threads with a tap/die.

-jd

So I tried pulling the belt as I turn the wheel to lower the table, and it lowers with that extra pulling of the belt, as if its all gunked up or something. As soon as I stop pulling the belt with my hand and just use the lowering wheel, it seems as though there isn't enough torque to pull all 4 lead screws, it just pulls the one closest to the first turn of the belt. Any takes?