Sand Flee

gregf · Post by **gregf** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 7:59 am

There was a thread over on Lumberjocks that may provid additional info.

http://lumberjocks.com/topics/2371

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 10:00 am

mbcabinetmaker

If your thinking of thickness sanding then the sandflee is not the product.
If you thinking of surface sanding then the sandflee might be what you need.

To me the Sandflee is horribly overpriced when you consider what exactly you get. Basically a metal top, a drum and two bearings and a case to hold the thing.

My guess is if Shopsmith and the maker of the Sandflee sold the thing for a normal markup over production cost everyone would own a sandflee. However the decision was made to sell them at what has to be 10 times mark up. But that is the new marketing philosophy that everyone has bought into and we all know it is working well, just look at our economy.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 3:28 pm

Ed in Tampa wrote:mbcabinetmaker

If your thinking of thickness sanding then the sandflee is not the product.
If you thinking of surface sanding then the sandflee might be what you need.

To me the Sandflee is horribly overpriced when you consider what exactly you get. Basically a metal top, a drum and two bearings and a case to hold the thing.

My guess is if Shopsmith and the maker of the Sandflee sold the thing for a normal markup over production cost everyone would own a sandflee. However the decision was made to sell them at what has to be 10 times mark up. But that is the new marketing philosophy that everyone has bought into and we all know it is working well, just look at our economy.

Wow I guess Ed just confirmed I don't spend my money well. So you may wish to diminish the value of my comments regarding the sand flee. It is terrific for finish sanding. As Nick suggested the best practice for using the sand flee is to set the table height such that you sand no deeper than the thickness of the sandpaper "Grit" Yes it does a marvelous job of finish sanding. Yet I have used it successfully to remove extremely slight warps in surface. When I built my shop storage cabinet I discovered the plywood shelves were slightly warped. The sand flee corrected the warp. However it is not jointer nor is it a planer. Now Ed before I hurt your feelings. I truly believe we are both entitled to hold and express our opinions. I always value yours and your wisdom. Please sir forgive me for the small good natured jab. fjimp

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 4:58 pm

Jim
No problem!

I didn't mean to get on my soap box but I just fail to understand how these manufactures can even remotely justify their prices.
In today's changing economy these exorbitant prices aren't flying and the "experts" wonder why. Why indeed!!

There is simply no way the thing can have more than $50-$100 worth of parts in it.

If they priced it at $150-200 they would have a 100 percent markup and they probably couldn't keep up with demand. Instead they decide to charge the outrageous price and hope a few people will make them rich.

Thump!!!!
There I jumped back off my soap box one more time,

I'm sorry but it makes me wonder what they are thinking.

allsas · Post by **allsas** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 5:02 am

I built a V drum sander using a Stockroom Supply 24 inch kit.

I have plans and sources for the critical parts. Mine is a between centers - headstock to tailstock configuration. It follows the requirements in the
Original thread:

Requirements:

Works great, dust connects in the case that rests on the way tubes, and is simple to build. PLUS IT BREAKS DOWN INTO TABLE, CASE, AND DRUM, for easy setup and storage. I would recommend a simple case w/ height set by sanding divots that set on the way tubes and a liftoff table. No pulleys, belts, piano hinge, major expense is the kit where only the drum is needed. Used it last month on plywood for a tool box, does great on edges and faces.

Haven't had time to write it up.

tgiro · Post by **tgiro** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 9:55 am

I do not have a Sand-Flee, but I do have another product which is the same thing, but doesn't connect to a shopsmith and cost less than half the cost of a Sand-Flee.

But, they are just surface sanders. They are not thickness sanders - and - if you aren't careful, you could wind up with a board where the opposite faces are not parallel.

I have used it like a jointer-planer, with a fence, to take slight bow or warp out off the edge of boards or to smooth the edge for better edge gluing.

I have found that short lengths of board can be troublesome. I usually don't use it for boards less than eight (8) inches.

The tool that I use is called a "V-drum sander", which comes from a Canadian company called "Stockroom Supply".

URL: http://www.stockroomsupply.com/V_Drum_Sander.php

The V-Drum Sander is a kit that you buy consisting of pulleys, belt, drum, tabletop, and some sandpaper. It will require you to build the frame of the tool and get an old motor for it.

They, also, sell a tool called the "Flat Master".

URL: http://www.stockroomsupply.com/Flat_Master.php

This machine is more like the Sand-Flee, but will not join to a Shopsmith. I have had real good success, smoothing boards with the V-Drum Sander.

BTW - Stockroom Supply has many videos on thier site of how to build and use their tools. So does the Sand-Flee company.

Ron309753 · Post by **Ron309753** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:17 am

I haven't built it yet, but what I was thinking was taking a 18" piece of thick walled 1 1/2" PVC pipe, gluing hardwood plugs in both ends and mounting it between the live center and the spur center and gluing sandpaper to it. Then building a box that sets on the main table with cutouts in the sides for the live and spur centers to recess in. A slot cut in the top would allow the sanding drum to protrude up through the top. Cutting height would be set by just raising or lowering the main table, and several drums could be made for grit changes.

Sincerely,

Ron

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 11:03 am

This is another result of charging outlandish prices people instead of paying the outrageous price, build their own. I'm fairly certain no one would try building one of these if only charged a reasonable markup over production cost.

But when you try get rich selling one by charging 10 times over cost people figure that even though it is hassle they can build one far cheaper.

Thank goodness Henry Ford didn't have this great rich on one mindset when he began building cars. If he had I doubt there would be a Ford today. Just as I guess there won't be a Sandflee tomorrow.

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 8:56 pm

tdubnik wrote:I can't speak to this yet, but should be able to in a few days. I just purchased the 24" drum kit from Stockroom Supply and am in the process of building my sander. It is nearly complete and I just have to finish my top and do the electrical wiring. I should finish it today.

I was intrigued by the Sandflee videos and saw the home built version at the Atlanta woodworking show. I didn't buy one then but recently purchased my kit on eBay (sold directly by Stockroom Supply). I purchased mine about $40 cheaper than he sells them directly from his website.

Once I get it up and running I will report back.

I built this one last year, after months of frustration with my Performax.
The V Sander from Stockroom Supply works great on edges and flats. Evens up face frame joints nicely. I love the velcro sandpaper system. Changing grits is a snap.
It COULD replace a jointer, but oohhh my! the number of passes would be astronomical.

And, yes it can be built so that the SS will drive it.....with either arbor.

allsas · Post by **allsas** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 12:23 am

Ron309753 wrote:I haven't built it yet, but what I was thinking was taking a 18" piece of thick walled 1 1/2" PVC pipe, gluing hardwood plugs in both ends and mounting it between the live center and the spur center and gluing sandpaper to it. Then building a box that sets on the main table with cutouts in the sides for the live and spur centers to recess in. A slot cut in the top would allow the sanding drum to protrude up through the top. Cutting height would be set by just raising or lowering the main table, and several drums could be made for grit changes.

Sincerely,

Ron

1. Use 3" pipe to raise sanding table surface above headstock....... faster sanding w/ 3" drum than 1 1/2" pipe for drum.

2. Use Velcro to be able to change sandpaper, sand finishes off w/o clogging sandpaper, and velcro attached sandpaper is unlikley to cause burns.

3. Don't involve SS table. set case on way tubes, set height by sanding (or shimming) contact points on way tube. The table height needs to be lower, using the SS table would raise sanding surface too high. Drum w/velcro doesn't need height adjustment, just change grits. Confirm by accessing Stockroom Supply website.

V Drum ( Velcro Drum ) sanding offers distinct advantages.

Shopsmith Forums

Sand Flee

Mark V - V Drum Sander.....

Suggest Changes .!.