How to Choose the Best Drum Sander

Drum belt sanders are highly effective at sanding down large workpieces to achieve a perfectly flat finish. Thanks to their stationary drum and conveyor system, they excel at sanding boards longer than 12 inches, swiftly eliminating deep scratches and flaws. This capability makes them a favorite among professional woodworkers for tasks such as removing bevels from prefinished floors to achieve a smoother, modern square-edge flooring. 

Drum sanders come in two primary variations: closed and open. This blog will explore the distinctions between each type to help you select the most suitable drum belt sander for your needs.

Understanding When to Use a Drum Sander 

Before examining the different drum sander models and what to consider when choosing one, it's important to understand what a drum sander is and its appropriate applications. A drum sander, equipped with a rotating drum wrapped in abrasive material, is distinct from a planer. While both are woodworking tools, a drum sander is specifically designed for finishing surfaces. Attempting to remove excessive material with a drum sander can lead to issues such as blown fuses, scorched sandpaper, and damaged workpieces. 

Drum sanders are invaluable for various projects, particularly if you: 

• Craft large items like furniture or cabinets. 
• Frequently undertake projects requiring the elimination of planer marks. 
• Aim for a final product with flawlessly flat surfaces. 
• Handle thin materials needing precise thickness adjustments.

Comparing Closed and Open Drum 

Belt Sanders Closed drum sanders, supported by four columns, are designed to handle workpieces that fit within their maximum opening size. While offering a smaller capacity, these sanders can accommodate a variety of common workpiece sizes and often feature dual drums to expedite the sanding process and simplify adjustments. 

This type of sander is characterized by its solid support structure on both ends, eliminating vertical movement for a sturdy build. However, their design does not allow for the reversal of stock, leading to their larger size and preference in industrial settings. 

Open drum sanders, in contrast, have an open-ended design on one side of the sanding table, making it possible to sand wider boards. By sanding one side, rotating the board 180 degrees, and then sanding the opposite side, you can effectively process boards up to twice the width of the sander drum. This design is particularly suited for smaller workshops, offering the capability to handle wide boards without demanding much space. 

The primary challenge with open drum sanders involves the need to pass and accurately align the board through the sander twice to avoid creating a ridge in the middle of the board. 

Key Considerations

When Choosing a Drum Sander When in the market for a drum sander, several factors merit consideration beyond the basic choice between open and closed models: 

• Width Capacity: Ensuring the sander can accommodate the size of the pieces you plan to work on is critical. 
• Motor Power: While many sanders feature around 1 HP, higher-powered options up to 5 HP are available and beneficial for sanding wider pieces. 
• Dust Collection: Effective dust collection systems are essential for maintaining a clean work environment and protecting machinery. 
• Noise Level: Considering the noise level of the sander is important, with machines designed to operate below 95 decibels to protect hearing. 
• Reducing Vibration: To prevent chatter marks on your workpieces, opt for sanders that minimize vibration, often achieved with lighter models. 
• Warranty: The warranty length can vary, and while it may not directly reflect the machine's quality, a longer warranty ensures a minimum duration of use. 

The importance of these factors will vary based on individual needs, with capacity being a universally crucial aspect, while other features like noise reduction and warranty length may hold varying degrees of significance. 

Choosing the Right Abrasives 

We offer drum sander strip rolls cut to fit, available in open coat aluminum oxide and zirconia grain types. Open coat aluminum oxide is durable, cost-effective, and suitable for various woods, performing exceptionally well with softer types. For more demanding projects involving hardwoods, zirconia strips, although pricier, provide a sharper, more aggressive cut, resist clogging, and have a longer lifespan, making them ideal for high-pressure tasks and extensive hardwood processing.