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Drum Sander

—

by

Chris Weiss
LocationWood shop
Tool TypeSander
Safety Concernssee manual
Owner
DocumentationManual
Consumablessand paper
Maintenancechange sandpaper as it wears out

Tool Description

Light sanding for large area.

Learning to Use It

The manual is linked above.

Here is an EXCELLENT video about using a drum sander. While it’s not the exact same one, it works the same and has the same issues: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQIdb1OrAB0.

Link to a parts schematic for the drum sander: https://archreactor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Performax-drum-sander-parts-schematic.pdf

TIPS & Tricks

 (really more like requirements if you don’t want to start a fire in the woodshop)

DO NOT

  • Use the drum sander like a planer. Use the planer for planing even if you don’t like it or use a planing hand tool (electric or manual).
  • Use for rough sanding without changing the sandpaper to a rougher grit. The grit as of December 2025 is 220, which is closer to a finishing sand, or midway to a finishing sand.
  • Use if smoking or burning wood.

DO

  • Take off no more than 1 mm of wood at a time.
  • Check the drive belt (pulls the wood through) to make sure it isn’t bunched up on either end. There should be a little clearance at least on either side.
  • Avoid the part of the drive belt that is damaged and alert AR board of the damage. It can usually still be used, but someone will need to replace the dive belt sandpaper.
  • Have a helper when trying to install the sandpaper. It requires a 1/8th inch gap between edges and to be installed tightly enough that it will not move when the drum is turning. This is very difficult to accomplish solo.
  • Turn on the dust removal system when using.

Schematics can be found at this link:  https://www.ereplacementparts.com/models/sander-polisher/jet/id742217/16-32plus-629004k/?srsltid=AfmBOoqEZMjPYRwyKPlGce50nsHlKcpnfnn_roGzSwyaOfwF_Q-JyB6A.

Troubleshooting

Sanding motor stopped

Cause:  Sanding too much in one pass. Raise the drum to sand less at a time.

Solution:

  • Check if the breaker was tripped at the breaker box. If so, reset the breaker and raise the drum to sand less.
  • If the breaker isn’t tripped, try the reset button on the machine motor. Give the machine 5 minutes to cool down, raise the drum, and try again.

Wood has burn lines or is burning on areas

Cause: Either the sandpaper is no longer set properly or else there is too much sanding in one pass.

Solution:

  • Check the sandpaper for edges that overlap or have burned. If still usable, reinstall the sandpaper tightly and try again.
  • If too much sanding in one pass, raise the drum and try again.

Info on what marathon to attend, good first projects, etc