These powerful woodworking tools used to be found only in professional wood working shops, but drum sanders are now making there way into many home shops. There is good reason for this; a drum sander is a handy tool to have around for some of you more demanding jobs.
The tool is a stationary tool, like a table saw. The business end is a rotating drum, either solid or inflatable, upon with the sandpaper is attached. This drum rotates at high speed and you feed the piece to be sanded by hand. You need to decide whether a vertical of horizontal drum works best for you. Each has its pros and cons.
Random Sander
There are any number of projects where a drum sander would come in handy. It can be used much like a planer to reduce wood thickness. It can be used to remove an unwanted surface finish, or to even out two pieces joined with a biscuit joiner.
On thing to keep in mind in deciding on one of these tools is the large amount of sawdust produced by any large power sander. If you don't already have a dust collection system for your woodshop, now may be the time to consider it. Many tools will come ready to connect to a dust collector.
Some of the major brand of drum sanders include Clark, Sparrow, Performax, Woodmaster, Jet, Delta, Foley, and Shop Fox. Be sure to check for unbiased reviews online and in woodworking publications. On last note, all power tools must be treated with respect. Always follow safety instructions and wear eye protection. But you already know that, don't you?