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need help fixing a drum sander

4K views 16 replies 11 participants last post by  MEBCWD 
#1 ·
My bride picked me up a very cool Power Kraft Drum/disc sander for my birthday. I had seen it on Craigslist for a long time at too high a price, but the guy lowered it while I was at sea and I "suggested" to my wife that she might want to see if it was available.

He gave her a lower price, plus a stand with an old Craftsman motor on it (which wasn't part of the original ad). He had cleaned it up, changed the bearings, and painted it, so it looks real nice. Unfortunately he polished the nameplate, so I can't narrow the age down any closer than 1948-1953.

The link shows a similar one, not mine. Mine is in the pic below. Montgomery Ward | Powr-Kraft - Publication Reprints | VintageMachinery.org

I quickly fell in love using this thing over the past few weeks, it is fantastic for sanding signs and scroll-sawn pieces. Unfortunately, this morning the drum liner fell apart (I guess after 60 years it is entitled to...). It looks like it was either thin cork, or a heavy duty felt originally, but hard to actually identify.

Anybody have any suggestions as what would work? I have seen thin self adhesive cork sheets before, I may just go that route.

I'll put some new pictures up when I get it on it's new table. The current table with the motor was for a table saw, so it's a little low.
 

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#2 ·
That is fantastic, Doug, what a useful tool. You know, I have been a tool junky since I was able to walk and we regularly received the MonkeyWard catalogs,along with Sears. I have never recalled seeing that machine.

Does the table have a height adjustment Are the sanding belts one piece,or wraparound,and can you still get them?
Herb
 
#3 ·
The table is adjustable with a cam lever, the original is missing, I have a cobbled-together adjuster that works. The sand paper is regular sheet sandpaper held in by a wedge clamp. This leaves a few degrees of the drum without paper, but it does a great job.

I went ahead and ordered some thin cork online today, if it works I will do a better job with the pictures. I love old tools, and this is a gem.
 
#4 ·
When the tires on my 18" bandsaw fell apart and I found out that the place I bought didn't handle it anymore they suggested I go see an industrial belting outfit in Edmonton. They looked at the wheels and said they could lag on some of their belting and it should work as good as new. I tried it and they worked better than before. Waaay superior to the original tires, way tougher, and much, much longer lasting. It wasn't that expensive either, I think it was about $30 a wheel at the time. You might want to have a look at that option and I think it will probably be the final fix, at least from your point of view and from my experience.
 
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#10 ·
I cant figure out how you would use the drum without the wood getting out of shape as the table is one depth throughout.
If you set the paper just even with the table it takes a nice finish pass on a sign. If you have it set too high, you can scallop your workpiece if you push too fast
 
#12 ·
Another source for 'odds and sods' in the membrane dept. are the guys that produce gaskets commercially. The one I visit in Vancouver has a dumpster out in back, and they just tell anyone looking for 'stuff' to help themselves to their scrap from the bin. I've found amazing treasures in there! Sometimes I can't believe the stuff they consider scrap... :0
A LOT of the high tech stuff is peel and stick backed.
 
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