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Scott,
I echo John's request. Can you share with us the details of your table lift mechanism and the conveyor system. Did you work from plans or conceptualize it yourself?

Cheers!
Rick

cphanna -

Thanks for the ideas. It could be removed by unscrewing the pillow block bearings, but then I'd have to re-true the drum. I'm considering that anyway, because I'd like to mount it a little higher. We'll see. Incidentally, I didn't think about how much extra shaft I'd need for a buffer, but that makes sense. I've got about 2" sticking out from each side of the pillow block bearings.

Tai Fu -

Of course, I have no idea where you might find it in your part of the world, but I found it at a place where plumbers go to buy pipe. Surely there's someplace around you that supplies steel. It's probably a dirty, unfriendly place at the edge of town.

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David Morris

Back in 1977 I made my own thickness sander, then Grit made one (better of course!) ... years later we wrote it up for Fine Woodworking Magazine ... think you can view it here. https://www.finewoodworking.com/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesPDF.aspx?id=33433

Sorry to be late adding to this thread. I made my drum sander years ago and found that it sat unused for long stretches (I work slowly), and took up space I could use for other things. So I added a table top to it, with 270 degree hinges, so it could convert to an assembly table easily.

I'll try to upload some images to show what it looks like:

Here's a couple more shots.

Issue 86 of shopnotes had a plan for a nice drum/thickness sander...Mike
http://www.shopnotes.com/plans/thickness-sander/

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Another day, another dollar.

Ted Davis built one of the nicest sanders I have seen. I think there are pics on luth.org. I'll post a link if I can find it. I'm almost done with mine, and I haven't spent a penny. I just couldn't justify spending $900+ on a large drum sander.

Has anyone built a homemade belt thickness sander, which is supposed to remain cool and avoid the plugging of the grit?

Sorry Guys, I didn't see this. The work is crude but it works great.

The front raise\lower is Acme's chained together. There is a top and bottom steel beam below the carriage with brass bushings all around.

Hi Scott

I too am in the process of designing a sander and have a few questions you may be able to help me with regarding roller size.........

Several years ago, while searching a local scrap yard, I found the remains of a roller/conveyor system that was used in our beer stores. I was able to salvage several rollers both solid stainless and tube stainless, complete with pillow block bearings.

These rollers are 24inches long and have a diameter of just over 3inches. In all my previous readings I see that most rollers are in the 5inch + size and was wondering what your experience has been with your 4inch roller.

Do you see any problems with a 3inch roller??

I would also be interested in knowing at what approximate rpm or fpm you are running your sander at.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

Michael