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Sand Flee?


Rolf

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A sand Flee is a flat bed sander in either 9" or 18" width. They use velcro backed paper/cloth and have fences, chuck adapters and other accessories. RJR studios sells them and so did Woodcraft (not sure they still do.). I have not had a reason to contact then so I don't know if they are still in bussiness or not Sorry Rolk.

Fredfret

Wichita, Ks

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Stockroom Supply offers a cheaper sander that works the same as the Sand Flea, and a DIY version where they sell the drum, bearings, belt, and pulleys, and plans to build the rest yourself using your own 1/2 or 3/4 hp motor. I built their 24" version and it works very well, but their plans were a bit rough. However, the only critical part is building the table and getting it perfectly flat. I built two. The second top that I build is usable, but it's not quite perfect. I may buy a ready made flat top from them for it.  The Sand Flea or Stockroom Supply sander concept works quite well and I have used mine a lot. Centrifical force of the spinning drum expands the Velcro attached sand paper on the drum and this increased diameter is what actually does the sanding. The sand paper barely touches the work surface when the drum is not spinning. To adjust the rate of material removal, you change the grit of the sand paper. It leaves a very flat and smooth surface.

http://stockroomsupply.ca/shop/drum-sanders.html

https://www.rjrstudios.com/store/p3/SAND-FLEE®_18"_Portable_Drum_Sander.html

 

Charley

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Barb, I am anxious to read your review.  I've been thinking about the 18" or 24"kit.  Make my own cabinet to mount it in.  There is a 36" kit for sale at a pretty good price, about 200 miles from me, nice day trip in the Spring or Summer,  but I just don't have the room nor real need for one that big. 

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On 12/14/2017 at 4:59 PM, Scrappile said:

wowzer!!! a grizzley 18" open end drum sander is $895

https://www.grizzly.com/products/18-1-1-2-HP-Single-Phase-Open-End-Drum-Sander/G0458

 

quite a few other options for drum sanders at that price!

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I have the Flatmaster.  I bought it preassembled  and added a motor.  It was on sale at a show and it still cost close to $500 CDN with motor and taxes.  I use to take fuzzies off the back of some projects and to final sand the wood I planed.  It works real well.

Once use I found is when I make a box I make the 4 sides and then cut the top off with the table saw.  Run top and bottom over the flat master and it fits nice and square.

If I had the space I would have a drum sander too.

 

 

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I just looked at the Grizzley 18" video I really don't like how they install and clamp the paper. The paper stretches a bit after being used for a while. and there is no compensation for that. I am also not too sure about the table coming up VS the drum moving up and down, I would like to see an independent  review on that aspect.It sure does have a nice price point.   . I had been looking at the small jet bench top but it's reviews were not great at that time. I did a lot of research before buying the Supermax 19-38 drum sander. I was pointed in it's direction by Carole Rothman. It is more money but has been amazing right out of the box. Here are the specs for it. https://www.supermaxtools.com/products/wood/19-38-drum-sander-71938-d/

I have sanded down to the 1/32 they claim making my own veneer. Also changing the sandpaper is tool less  and the end clamp provides constant tension to keep the paper tight. Just more food for thought.

 

Edited by Rolf
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JT the Sand-Flee style of sander can do lots of things a regular drum sander can not. First off it is not a thickness sander.  There is no height limit to what it can sand., so if you have a box it is very easy to sand all sides., I use mine to flatten the backs of my intarsia assemblies. I also carefully sand some of my finished fretwork with the mop that I have on the output shaft and also on the flat.

I used to pre-sand all of my ornament blanks on it, half of the drum has 180 the other 220. A couple of passes over each grit did the trick. But now that I also have the Supermax I pre-sand an entire 50 inch long strip with 220 grit through it, saves me a ton of time. 

This video is a bit too much like an Infomercial, and I have told him that, so look past that as it still shows some of its capabilities. There are lots of videos showing this style of sander.

 

Price wise it is a bit of a luxury tool but very well made with a smooth direct drive motor. Mine does get constant use as do most of my tools. 

I am a bit of a tool junkie. and lucky to have the resources to accommodate my urges.:shock: The limiting factor now is space.

These are my unbiased opinions and I get nothing from any of the manufacturers 

Edited by Rolf
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Rolf a drum sander can do much more than a sandflee in my opinion. To be able to dimension wood is a hugeeeeeeeeeeeee plus in my book. A random orbital sander or pad sander can do exactly what you mentioned a sandflee can do. To me it is a waste of money for what it does. When they first came out I could never figure the fascination of it. Still can not but if there are good sales pitches out there then they will sell. I presand all my project wood to at least 180 and final sand to 220. Drum sander and pad sander is all I need. Just a note whenever you sand in a straight line the lines are visible thus the random orbital sander was invented. Good luck though. 

Edited by JTTHECLOCKMAN
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I do not have the Sand Flee but have a home made version.  It does things a random orbit sander can not do.  I use it for making boxes and smoothing out finger joint or dovetail corners.  I use it for a lot of things.  I

People have all kinds of tools that they find useful to them.  I would never tell anyone that a tool they bought and use regularly is a waste of money.  It might not be useful to me but great for them. Rolf is very accomplished and experienced and to him it is a very useful tool.

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