Sanding drums too tight

[wgander]

I had to cut two sleeves off the drums and can't get replacement sleeves all the way on the drums. I've loosened the nut that causes the drum to expand. (I've had the drum sanding accessories for years but have only recently been using them.)
Do I have to put the drums in the freezer to install new sleeves?

[charlese]

I had to cut two sleeves off the drums and can't get replacement sleeves all the way on the drums. I've loosened the nut that causes the drum to expand. (I've had the drum sanding accessories for years but have only recently been using them.)
Do I have to put the drums in the freezer to install new sleeves?

No you don't have to freeze the rubber. Try wiping the drum down with liquid silicone. First soak the rubber pretty good, then wipe it off with a clean rag after several minutes. A light coat of silicone applied with another rag will help future slip-ons. -------- EDIT!!! Then wipe the drum dry!

[beeg]

I coat my drums with a light dusting of baby power. I've had NO PROBLEM slipping em on or off. Are ya sure you've loosened it enough? Try pulling on one end, so that the metal part is away from the rubber. Then squeeze the rubber to make sure it's relaxed.

[wgander]

I did have the expansion nut as loose as it can be. I squeezed the drum several times with slip joint pliers, then soaked it with silicone spray. I blotted the excess with a paper towel and managed to get a sanding drum on except for the last 1/16th of an inch.
If I have time today I'll try the powder on another drum and see how that works.

[a1gutterman]

I did have the expansion nut as loose as it can be. I squeezed the drum several times with slip joint pliers, then soaked it with silicone spray. I blotted the excess with a paper towel and managed to get a sanding drum on except for the last 1/16th of an inch.
If I have time today I'll try the powder on another drum and see how that works.

I have had the Sears version of drum sanders for many years and I have knot had the trouble that you are experiencing, but if the two methods already mentioned do knot give satisfactory results, you might try a little graphite.

[Ed in Tampa]

I have found if you store the drums with a sleeve mounted and tightened you can have the problem you describe. I have since learned to back off the nut before I store the drum.

I think the rubber takes a set plus I think there is a certain amount of bonding between the rubber and drum sleeve. Get in the habit of loosening the sleeve before storage.

I shudder when I hear the word silicon and woodworking in the same sentence. (Silicon will screw up the application of most finishes used on wood or metal) I would stop using silicone and try the powder.

[SDSSmith]

I did have the expansion nut as loose as it can be. I squeezed the drum several times with slip joint pliers, then soaked it with silicone spray. I blotted the excess with a paper towel and managed to get a sanding drum on except for the last 1/16th of an inch.
If I have time today I'll try the powder on another drum and see how that works.

If it becomes necessary, Shopsmith does sell the rubber sleeve replacement for the drum sander for around $5.

[charlese]

Today, while sanding another bunch of small toy cars, I re-newed all of my small sanding drums grit sleeves. Thought I'd add to what I said in post #2.

Once the silicone dries it is very easy to install a new sleeve. No doubt, talcum powder on a dry drum would help! Today, I found the rubber should be dry for easy sleeve replacement - not damp like I indicated in post #2.

Since I had left all of the drums tight, the sleeves were a little stubborn quickly I was reminded that the easiest way to remove the sleeves is to push, rather than pull. After removal, I soaked up a paper shop towel (part of it) with silicone and wiped down the rubber drum. The black residue that comes off of the drum has got to be oxidation. Cleaning the drums really helps the future sleeve installation.

The silicone not only cleans the rubber, but softens it (offsets hardening) and improves life of rubber. Not unlike the rubber tires in the bandsaw. Also, sawdust doesn't cling to silicone. Neither do finishes - Thus Ed"s warning!

[wgander]

Well, I tried to remove the sanding drum I put on yesterday and it's too tight, so it will stay on the drum until worn and has to be replaced.
Next time, I'll try powder or soak the drum and not blot it dry.