Thickness Sander from an 8 x 4 sheet of plywood

Nice job! Really great tool to have around. I have one for mounting on my lathe but wish I had room enough for a dedicated machine as nice as yours!

-- Dennis, WV

This should be a Top Daily Three!

-- DJ Peck, Lincoln Nebraska. I don't have a Shop. I think of it as a Tool Chase. Where the hell did I put that?

I always wanted one of those so maybe I’ll build one of these too! It looks heavy duty enough to do the jobs I want.

It has been added to my favorites.
Thanks for sharing!

-- "I never met a board I didn't like!"

Great job, and Im sure i will be following your lead and build one for my shop. Thanks for sharing!

-- The Old Rednek Workshop

What did you use for the roller tube with the sand paper on it?

-- The Old Rednek Workshop

Hi Hoss
The roller is made from 20 41/2 inch diameter bandsawn mdf discs each with a 3/4 inch centre hole. The table is 15 inches wide. The axle shaft is a piece of 3/4 inch diameter mild steel. The discs were glued to the shaft using an epoxy glue and the discs were glued together with Titebond. It’s a fairly slow and messy process. The discs are clamped together together during the drying process. The initial cylinder will be uneven (that’s life) so once you have rigged up your motor and pillow bearings you can true the cylinder by gently sliding a piece of mdf that has 80 grit sandpaper glued to it under the cylinder until you have an even sanding pattern. Make sure you have a fitted dust hood in place as mdf dust is really nasty. Once you have levelled the cylinder you need to seal the exposed edges with a proprietary mdf sealer or a mixture of white glue diluted with water. Leave overnight to dry. Cover the cylinder with sticky backed velcro to which you can then attach the velcro backed sandpaper.
Good luck.
Jim

-- It always looks better when it's finished!

Outstanding! :D

-- "Keep thy airspeed up, lest the earth come from below and smite thee." - William Kershner

out standing tool build ,

-- Jesus Is Alright with me

Thanks Jim for sharing your advise and insight. I really appreciate the help. Again, Great Job!

-- The Old Rednek Workshop

Nice blog and post Jim.
Got me thinking and would be nice to have another sander like this but where I want to place it are some size restrictions .
I like the way you used the plywood construction .
A well build machine that will last and now enjoy !

-- Kiefer 松

Kiefer
Thanks for your comments. The footprint of my version is 22 inches wide by 25 inches deep. The table is 15 inches wide by 24 inches long. It’s mounted on wheels – two steerable and lockable ones at the front and two fixed straight line ones at the rear. If your space is at a premium you should really try to shoehorn one of these in. You will find it very useful. Just think about all of those wonderful thin veneers you will be able to produce to stick on with hide glue!
Jim

-- It always looks better when it's finished!

We can’t get 8X4 sheets of plywood in Michigan. Would a 4X8 sheet work?

-- It's the best woodworking show since the invention of wood... New episodes Wednesdays at: http://www.stumpynubs.com

Only if you can cut the pieces out sideways! Apart from that it should be fine!!
Jim

-- It always looks better when it's finished!