Performax Sandpaper Trouble

Grub, the cherry burns so easily in the drum sander. In my 10/20, I have to slow it down and take less off with both cherry and maple. Believe me, it’s a learning curve, but you’ll find the happy medium. Sometimes, one of the sandpaper crepe blocks will remove the pith burn from your sandpaper, sometimes not.

-- Verna -- Indianapolis, IN

Grub—Just a WAG, but this looks like pitch build-up. I have never seen this on my drum sander, but I have seen it on my belt sanders … especially when I have been sanding pine.

My advice would be pitch (no pun intended) this sandpaper and install a fresh strip. I have heard that some guys clean their belts with mineral spirits and one of those pitch remover blocks you can get at the big box, but I have never tried that.

I think the reason I have never seen this on my drum sander is I use Klingspor non-loading sandpaper.

—Gerry

-- Gerry -- "I don't plan to ever really grow up ... I'm just going to learn how to act in public!"

Good score on your sander…I’m jealous <grin>

It could be glue, or resin/Sap that melted onto the paper.
Anything like that will cause problems.

The drum is rotating at such a high speed, and applying pressure to the wood, so any impurity is going to cause you problems.

I would say you only have two options:
Either clean it off, or replace the paper.

Enjoy your sander.
Kelly

This happens occasionally with drum sanders. I have a 16-32 and it happens on mine every once in a while. Something gets between the wood and the paper and you get a glazed over line that starts burning the wood. You can usually remove it by scraping the burn line on the paper with a knife or razor blade.

-- I don't make mistakes, only design changes....www.dgmwoodworks.com

Thanks guys, I think I am getting it figured out.

I appreciate all your help,

Grub

-- Science Teacher by Day, Wood Butcher by Night!!