Shopsmith Forums

Before I do something I may regret. I know some of you have dealt with this. Yesterday I bought a bunch of extra long drums and sleeves (stocking label was dot-matrix. Box label appears to be earlier Bighorn. Two had been stored with the drums highly compressed on the sleeves which I cut off. Pictures show ends compressed. I can't install new ones and could just chuck them in the SS and sand the ends down. Is there a better way to restore these to previous shape?

Are you saying the drums are distorted so the sleeves will not fit on them? Looks like the drums are the type expanded by tightening a nut on the shaft. If loosened an old expanded drum may not return to it's original shape. If they're not too bad you may be able to restore them by wrapping a piece of cardboard around the drum for protection and tightening band clamps on it for a while. Sometimes just a little bit of the drum protrudes from the sleeve and forms a ridge new sleeves can't slide over. If a band clamp won't squeeze it down then sand or file it enough so sleeves will fit.

Ed, you suggestion may work. They were tightened so much the ends are expanded. I'll try the clamp and if that doesn't work just sand off the ends a bit. I also like the suggestion of using talcum powder before putting new ones on. Thanks guys.

Some belt dressing MAY help.

I had a couple like that, but not as severe. I put removed the hardware, and put them in hot water (hot tap water not heated on the stove or microwave) for about 20 minutes and then rolled them on the counter under the palm of my had for a few minutes. The looked like new.

I think I would try Chris' idea first. It is the first thought that came to mind when I read your first post. With the rubber sleaves off the posts they may be able to be worked back into shape. If not, move onto Ed's suggestion and shave off the excess keeping the sanding sleaves from going on the rubber sleaves. This is a good reminder not to leave sanding sleaves tightened on Sanding Drums.

chapmanruss wrote: Sun Apr 17, 2022 12:04 pm This is a good reminder not to leave sanding sleaves tightened on Sanding Drums.

I've dealt with the raised ridge before but didn't try the water. I have a couple of drums so old the rubber is no longer flexible and on one of them the paper from the sanding sleeve bonded with the rubber forming a new composite substance of amazing strength and stubbornness. These were just sanding drums that arrived in a Box o' Random Parts. I created the ones with ridges myself though. The part of the rubber sticking out is just maintaining it's original shape but eventually the compressed part has a new shape, it's ductility is limited. Really, the drum should be relieved when you are done sanding, and ideally the sleeve removed but I know I'll never end up taking the sleeve off every time.

Ed,

I don't always take the sanding sleeve off either, but I do loosen the rubber sleeve.

As for old rubber sleeves being too hard to use anymore, I have replaced several on the 3" Drum Sander I have gotten with Model 10 I have restored. Fortunately, the rubber sleeve can be purchased as a replacement part under number 503009 Drum Sander Rubber Sleeve for 3" for $8.19 currently. 2 sleeves are used for the 6" Sanding Drum. The material is a bit different in looks and makeup than the original Rubber Sleeve, but an old hard and/or cracking rubber sleeve is worthless for use.

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I have a set of the ones shown in the picture on db5's original post but they are in very good shape still. Others like them I have gotten with Shopsmith's I have restored went into a box. Recently went for recycling and unfortunately I never tried to recondition them since I have a good set. It might have been a nice thing to try just in case. I may have to try reconditioning one of the old 3" Rubber Sleeves.

This is using Ed's 1st suggestion. Since the drums were on a spindle that is threaded through I inserted a rod so as not to compress anything into the threads creating another problem where I couldn't get them off. I'll leave them like this for a few weeks. Chris' idea of hot water might also help. What are your thoughts about putting them in how water while clamped?