Shopsmith Forums

I have an old (30+) drum sander that is very difficult to load/unload drums for use. I've loosened the bolt completely with very little effect. Is there some secret to sliding drums on and off this thing? Talcum powder? WD40? Moose grease??? Any suggestions? Thanks

Douglass wrote:I have an old (30+) drum sander that is very difficult to load/unload drums for use. I've loosened the bolt completely with very little effect. Is there some secret to sliding drums on and off this thing? Talcum powder? WD40? Moose grease??? Any suggestions? Thanks

I disassemble and clean with paint thinner, dry all parts then rub all parts down with SLIPIT. Works for me.
ldh

I use a little dish detergent. At least it works for me.
BPR

I once got a drum sander via ebay that the "rubber" had gotten hard (the material was different then the others I have in that it was a very smooth with an almost shine). Being hard to the point it would not tighten enough to hold the sanding sleeve in place while sanding. I contacted the seller explaining the problem and asked if it would be OK to try and save the sander but if I couldn't would he still replace it (he was a shopsmith reseller). He agreed so I attempted to soften the material with belt dressing... no go, tried several sure fire ways all with no impact on the "rubber".

In the end I sent it back and he sent me a newer one and life went on. I did not check with shopsmith to see if they sell just the rubber part and I don't think I have a part number assembly drawing for a part number to check.

I've never had the problem of it being hard to get the sleeve on but it could be related to age or storage conditions. The original one I got with my shopsmith in 1976 still functions like new. It is also clear to me that there were more then one version of these over the years

Ed

Hi
Sometimes storing the drum sander with the compression nut tight can cause the drum to be distorted and make it difficult to remove or replace the sleeves
When you remove the existing sleeve (you may have to cut it) lay the rubber drum on a workbench and roll it under the flat side of a 2X4 putting a lot of weight on the 2X4. This may reduce the diameter of the rubber roller and take the "set" out of it so new drums can be installed.
Bill V

reible wrote:I once got a drum sander via ebay that the "rubber" had gotten hard (the material was different then the others I have in that it was a very smooth with an almost shine). Being hard to the point it would not tighten enough to hold the sanding sleeve in place while sanding. I contacted the seller explaining the problem and asked if it would be OK to try and save the sander but if I couldn't would he still replace it (he was a shopsmith reseller). He agreed so I attempted to soften the material with belt dressing... no go, tried several sure fire ways all with no impact on the "rubber".

In the end I sent it back and he sent me a newer one and life went on. I did not check with shopsmith to see if they sell just the rubber part and I don't think I have a part number assembly drawing for a part number to check.

I've never had the problem of it being hard to get the sleeve on but it could be related to age or storage conditions. The original one I got with my shopsmith in 1976 still functions like new. It is also clear to me that there were more then one version of these over the years

Ed

Don't know what kind of rubber is used but there are only a handful (silicon, EPDM etc.) that retain their original physical properties for 30+ years.