Powermatic Drum Sander

Notes

Authorization for this tool is by authorized proctors only. Take the Canvas course first, then sign up for an in person session.

Maximum pass of 1/4 turn (1/36"). Reduce to 1/8 turn (1/72") for very wide stock to avoid stalling the motor

For oily, dense, or resinous woods (tropical hardwoods, pine, etc), take only very light passes to prevent clogging the sandpaper.

Always remove dried glue squeeze outs with a scraper or other tool before coming here.

Sandpaper can be replaced by anyone who knows how - there is no formal auth for this. Ask for help if you haven't done it before or are unsure.*

Turn off breaker, remove handwheel, open hood
Loosen bolts that clamp each end of paper aprox 3 turns. DO NOT remove these bolts, lest you be doomed to spend hours trying to retrieve them from the depths of the machine
Use the allen wrench to pry the clamping blocks upwards, releasing the paper. Remove old paper
Cut a new piece of paper. 80 grit for the front, 120 grit for the back. The manual specifies 14'9". There is a witness mark on the pallet racking above the router table to help measure this. The end point is aprox 14'9" to the right - marked in red here.
Use the jig kept on the back of the machine to cut the angle on each end.
Clamp the right side end in, and wrap the paper around the drum.
Use the hockey stick tool to rotate the left end cap of the drum. Clamp the end of the paper in place. Release the end cap, which should tighten the sandpaper.
Distribute any gaps in the paper across the width of the drum. Many small gaps - fine. One large gap - bad.