Replies

1. 
   mikegagne | Sep 01, 2005 08:19am | #1

   You could but it would be a compromise bearing and performance wise. Buy a drum sander like a Performax to get started and move up as your jobs and income warrant. My 2¢....
   aloha, mike

2. 
   DougF | Sep 02, 2005 09:23pm | #2

   Anything is possible but the mechanics of securing and changing the paper would probably preclude this option.

1. 
   JohnWW | Sep 02, 2005 11:26pm | #3

   That was my first thought, but it might be possible to use the existing blade slots and lock bars to hold the paper ends. 

   Another problem that I see is that there will be two flat spots on the drum, where the paper goes over the slots, that may create problems in the finish, but the speed of the head may even out the cut. 

   Another consideration is limited power, sanding drums need a lot of horse power to push them, compared to the same size bladed cutter head.  I would think that the depth of cut would be very limited.

   John W.

1. 
   DougF | Sep 03, 2005 12:19am | #4

   A sanding drum must be a full circle else the sanding surface is limited to the high point.  Anything other than the drum being in constant contact with the sanding head would rip the paper or worse.  The real problem that I failed to address the first time is that rpm of the planer is to high to be practical.  IMHO, I think this one that you have to chalk up to an interesting idea but that is as far as you can take it. 

1. 
   WillGeorge | Sep 03, 2005 06:22am | #6

   else the sanding surface is limited to the high point..I agree so I'd make my clamps a 'BIT' lower!

2. 
   Danceswithwoods | Sep 03, 2005 12:23am | #5

   I'm not sure that a lot of h.p. comes into comes into play when all I'm actually looking at is a light sanding after planing to final thickness.  I'm not overly concerned about the "flat spots" thinking that a good cloth-backed paper and little sanding pressure won't allow it to be a factor.   Speed I can govern.   It's just a thought.  I'd like to get a new spiral-head and just could not afford that and a sander, and having a machine shop/tool and die background I thought I might be able to pull this off with the help of some thoughts and suggestions from out here.  Thanks

3. 
   arw01 | Sep 03, 2005 02:48pm | #7

   Make a new head, or use epoxy to round out the old one by filling the slots with some wood and epoxy. This way you could possible make a hold down mechanism.

   Have thought about the same project.. Then I dream of finding a treadmill and using it for the silly thing.. Then I remember i have no space and limited time so someday I will buy the performax.

   Alan

4. 
   Michael | Sep 08, 2005 07:37pm | #8

   I can't remember the exact reasons, but any (all?) of the decent drum sanders start at a minimum of 4 1/2" drum.  You'll run into heat issues otherwise.  Additionally, the fact that the cutter head on a planer is nearly solid steel vs. my 22-44 which is hollow aluminum would further heat up the unit.

   My 2 cents?  Sell your 13", buy the radial arm saw version of the 22 44 as well as the sanding belt unit.  And, given your background, build a unit.

   After wrestling with mine and tuning it (@ 275lbs it's a pain to fine 'tune') I think I could have improved on the design a number of ways.  You might have the desire and background to implement those changes.

   I don't think you can convert the old planer to achieve satisfying results.  The heat will destroy the paper, regardless of the quality and cloth backing.  Plus you still have to rig up an autofeed method since it would be nearly impossible to feed the stock steady enough through the machine to avoid issues.

   my 2 cents.

   michael

1. 
   Danceswithwoods | Sep 08, 2005 10:59pm | #9

   Thank you all for the input.  Guess I'll just have to save the pennies or hope that Santa may be overly generous this year.  Or next..or next...