Category Archives: General

He makes heirloom-quality furniture with his Woodmaster – then gives it all away

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“I’m a retired welding engineer from Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine — a shipbuilding facility focused primarily on Navy combatant vessels.  These days I play golf, exercise, and do a lot of woodworking. The woodworking projects go to family, friends, or charity fundraisers.

For this queen-size platform bed, I matched the arc of the cherry headboard with the laminated ash arched legs. These two woods contrast each other nicely. (The Cherry was re-purposed 3/4" thick molding, ripped to 5/8" thick, sanded both sides on my Woodmaster, and surface-glued to make 5/4 thick boards.) The Oak center beam supports the head and footboard making a very stable connection. The pine boards create a solid "platform".

For this queen-size platform bed, I matched the arc of the cherry headboard with the laminated ash arched legs. These two woods contrast each other nicely. (The Cherry was re-purposed 3/4″ thick molding, ripped to 5/8″ thick, sanded both sides on my Woodmaster, and surface-glued to make 5/4 thick boards.) The Oak center beam supports the head and footboard making a very stable connection. The pine boards create a solid “platform”.

Woodworking stimulates my creativity

Woodworking definitely stimulates my creativity, especially when designing and making a new item. Most projects are designed and planned using a computer draw program in an effort to make, and fix, all the design “mistakes” in these preliminary stages. The goal is to get it right prior to going into the shop.

This photo was snapped as I crawled under the platform bed to sign and date the work at the owner's home.

This photo was snapped as I crawled under the platform bed to sign and date the work at the owner’s home.

For each project, I make two lists: one for the ‘finished pieces” (typical parts list) and one for the ‘rough lumber’ to figure out my material needs.

The yurt couple also needed furniture, so I made a 40” x 70” table and matching benches out of some unique spalted maple. Finish is five coats of high-gloss tung oil; each coat is applied with 0000 steel wool.

A young couple needed furniture, so I made a 40” x 70” table and matching benches out of some unique spalted maple. Finish is five coats of high-gloss tung oil; each coat is applied with 0000 steel wool.

I have a fully equipped woodworking shop and 30+ years of experience making a variety of heirloom quality tables, beds, benches, music stands, desk clocks, and other unique accessory items using cherry, walnut, and other native woods.  Many of my product designs have lathe-turned components that enhance their character and reflect Old World design/craftsmanship.

The slat hickory bench was made for the lobby of my son’s business; there are lots of mortise and tenon joints. The hickory had been milled 50 or 60 years earlier and was just waiting for someone to use it.

The slat hickory bench was made for the lobby of my son’s business; there are lots of mortise and tenon joints. The hickory had been milled 50 or 60 years earlier and was just waiting for someone to use it.

Simple woodworking philosophy

My woodworking philosophy is simple: if I can imagine it, then I should be able to draw it; if I can draw it, then I can build it.

All my woodworking is done in a small one-man shop, where power tools and hand tools are used appropriately to produce strong joint connections and satin-finished surfaces.

The 24" x 48" maple workbench was made for a young couple currently living in a yurt. They use the wooden clamp mounted at one end to hold workpieces they’re carving.

The large “French Bench” has a 5″ thick laminated rock maple top and base structure.  It took four men to carry the top into a basement workshop. On the left side is a traditional woodworking vise.  The side plate (with lots of holes) slides left or right and the adjustable peg provides support for a long clamped piece.

 Why a Woodmaster Drum Sander?

 You can get a workpiece flat with a jointer / planer, but you can also get tearout because of grain variations.  With a drum sander, even ‘squirrely’ grain isn’t a problem. I bought my Woodmaster Drum Sander because it’s made in the USA, it’s rugged, and it’s easy to use.

The 24" x 48" maple workbench was made for a young couple currently living in a yurt. They use the wooden clamp mounted at one end to hold workpieces they’re carving.

The 24″ x 48″ maple workbench was made for a young couple currently living in a yurt. They use the wooden clamp mounted at one end to hold workpieces they’re carving.

Woodmaster does a great job designing / building their machines and a wonderful job of selling them online.  The write-ups and comments by other woodworkers are very helpful.  My Woodmaster Model 2675 sander was chosen to fit a small shop where all the equipment is on wheels and gets moved around as needed.

Rick Marco, Woodmaster Owner, Bath ME

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Want to see a Woodmaster Drum Sander in action?

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Like many Woodmaster Owners, Stuart Gladstein says he’ll show other woodworkers what his Woodmaster will do. Wherever you live, there’s usually a nearby Woodmaster Owner who’ll “tell it like it is.” Some, like Stuart, may even invite you into their shops so you can see their machine in operation. Want to chat with one of our Owners? Call us 1-800-821-6651 or email us.

How does a woodworker go about making a cutting board with such an interesting pattern? Stuart's a Woodmaster Woodworker who'll tell you all about it!

How does a woodworker go about making a cutting board with such an interesting pattern? Stuart’s a Woodmaster Woodworker who’ll tell you all his secrets!

“In the early 2000’s, I did a pretty total renovation of my house and planned a room as my wood shop. As it turned out, I ended up with a bigger room than I planned — half of a two-car garage. And when I need to use the whole garage, I pull my wife’s car out of the other half.

thru the Woodmaster

I make a lot of wooden cutting boards, boxes, tables, and other furniture. One of my photos shows an end grain cutting board I made. I used end grain pieces of six species of wood: walnut, oak, maple, bloodwood, mahogany, and purpleheart. If you want to put a sander to the test, you won’t find anything more challenging than a project like that because It’s a broad hardwood surface, all end grain. My 38” Woodmaster Drum Sander sanded it right down beautifully.

I don’t know why…

No woodworker loves sanding! So I don’t know why more woodworkers don’t have drum sanders. Good sanding really makes the piece and a Woodmaster does the work for you. When I’m making boxes, tables, or anything with flat surfaces, my Woodmaster makes my life so much easier.

I did a lot of research before I bought my Woodmaster. I looked at Performax but there’s no reverse and one side is open on it. To sand something wide, you have to flip the workpiece over. I’d go head-to-head against a Performax — my Woodmaster would eat it alive! 

Check it out — Stuart saws the glue-up into strips, turns them on edge, and re-glues them to make his intricate patterns.

Check it out — Stuart saws the glue-up into strips, turns them on edge, and re-glues them to make his intricate patterns.

Most woodworkers will tell you they always want something bigger and heavier. But with this Woodmaster, I don’t need anything heavier. It’s a tank.

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With heavy grit paper on my machine, I can start with rough cut wood and sand it to thickness. Or I can mount two grits of sandpaper on the same drum; 100 grit on one half and, say, 180 on the other half. That’s a real time saver because you don’t have to change papers.

But changing paper on the Woodmaster’s very easy because the paper attaches with hook-and-loop fabric. You just roll the paper on the drum and it sticks. It’s so much easier than with the Delta sander I once had.

The key is to run the wood through the machine several times taking off just a little at a time. I turned the height adjustment crank maybe 1/32 of an inch with each pass. You can adjust the height precisely and actually hear when it’s sanding most efficiently. It has a really nice conveyor feed belt that provides a little cushion and gives a little forgiveness.

Not "just" cutting boards - Stuart makes some darned handsome inlaid boxes, too.

Not “just” cutting boards – Stuart makes some darned handsome inlaid boxes, too.

I love my Woodmaster! I’m very, very happy with my purchase. Your Customer Service is great. If you ever have a customer who wants to see how they work, they’re welcome to come see it working in my garage workshop.

box and cuttingboard

I think woodworkers would be shocked by how much use they’d get out of a Woodmaster Drum Sander. I use it a lot because it’s such a time saver. It sands the wood dead flat and you can get absolutely consistent thicknesses. It saves time, energy, and frustration. It’s a beautiful machine and a pleasure to use. I just have tremendous praise for my Woodmaster.”

— Stuart Gladstein, Woodmaster Drum Sander Owner, Los Angeles CA

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HE TURNS WEED TREES INTO FANTASTIC HIGH-END FURNITURE with his 50″ Woodmaster Drum Sander

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Making extraordinary fine furniture out of super-wide slabs of Russian Olive takes a big, big sander.

Making extraordinary fine furniture out of super-wide slabs of Russian Olive takes a big, big sander.

...And here's the sander Andrew Bishop chose: a 50" Woodmaster Drum Sander.

…And here’s the sander Andrew Bishop chose: a 50″ Woodmaster Drum Sander.

“Here in Montana, Russian Olive invades river bottoms. It’s a noxious tree that landowners are glad to get rid of. I hunt them down, fell them, skid-steer them out. I work with landowners and have some options working with the State. I saw these trees into slabs then sand them on my 50” Woodmaster Drum Sander.

Cut sanding time by half to two-thirds

Russian Olive wood is unique — porous but very hard and it never grows straight. It doesn’t dry flat; it always warps even when it’s clamped down. No matter how much I’ve planed Russian Olive slabs, I can’t get them truly flat. My Woodmaster Drum Sander flattens the wood perfectly and I can achieve much better quality in less time. It’s cut my sanding time by at least half, maybe two-thirds. It’s really amazing to see. I save hours per piece and that changes everything about my business.

coffee table

He makes $6,000 dining tables — and he’s booked solid

I turn the slabs into one-of-a-kind, high end furniture. For example, my Russian Olive coffee tables sell for $800 to $1,200. My dining tables are $2,000 to $6,000. And I’m booked with commission work for eight months!

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table and benches

Niche business secret

This is really a niche business. I do all my marketing on Facebook. The first coffee table I made and posted sold in five minutes! I have customers from Alaska to New Jersey — it’s really been wild and business has been just unreal. I haven’t had a lull in business. I don’t know what a slow time is.

Getting a drum sander was an easy decision. I knew I could make a much better product with one because it would give me a completely true and flat surface. I looked at wide belt sanders but it’s very rural here — 20 miles from town — and getting 3-phase power would have cost me $30,000. I’ve used wide belt sanders and this Woodmaster keeps up with them and then some.

Outdoor table

The only 50” drum sander out there

I make big, wide tables and wanted a wide drum sander. Woodmaster has the only 50” drum sander out there. I read about it online and saw good reviews. While I was searching for a wide belt, somebody mentioned Woodmaster and I got on the site. I read up and everything made sense — 50” with single phase power.

big slabs

I’m extremely happy, couldn’t be happier, and I recommend Woodmaster to others. I plan to get a Woodmaster Molder/Planer with a helical planer head, too.

My best advice for other woodworkers is ‘be unique.’ That’s why I believe my business is going so well, because what I make is unique. So many woodworkers are working in maple or walnut — find a niche that works for you.”

— Andrew Bishop, Woodmaster Drum Sander Owner, River Bottom Restoration Furniture

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MAKE WOODEN BOATS with a Woodmaster Drum Sander

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John Owens is a skilled boatbuilder. Here's his outrigger boat, Eureka

John Owens is a skilled boatbuilder, woodworker, and Woodmaster Drum Sander owner. Here’s his outrigger, Eureka

You'll usually find John at work in his shop. He owns an older, dark color Woodmaster Drum Sander. It's at least 20 years old and still works for a living.

You’ll usually find John at work in his shop. He owns an older, dark color Woodmaster Drum Sander. It’s at least 20 years old and still works for a living.

Functional and beautiful, John's Dolphin SR Daggerboard is a prime example of fine maritime craftsmanship.

Functional and beautiful, John’s Dolphin SR Daggerboard is a prime example of fine maritime craftsmanship.

Here's a closeup view of the cockpit of John's kayak, the Egret.

Here’s a closeup view of the cockpit of John’s kayak, the Egret.

Boaters know a "kick up rudder" does just that — kicks up out of the way in shallow water or other situations. John's cutaway shows its inner workings.

Boaters know a “kick up rudder” does just that — kicks up out of the way in shallow water or other situations. John’s cutaway shows its inner workings.

“My dad always made things. He taught me how and I’ve built things all my life. I’ve worked in construction, surveying, worked for a general contractor, was a subcontractor, estimator, and even a vice president of a big corporation. My wife and I literally built our own home. Today I make wooden boat parts and kits with my Woodmaster 26” Drum Sander.
I make a lot of individual boat parts! Last year, I shipped 563 individual orders. Some orders are for one item, but many orders are for multiple items. So that’s a lot of individual items!

I’m a manufacturer. Here’s how I distribute what I make. I’m an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for a couple of boat manufacturers — I make original equipment they build into their boats. And I make and sell boat kits and boat parts. And I give workshops where people build one of my boat kits in a few days. And I do custom work for boat owners. And I make aftermarket parts for several boat brands and models. Oh, and I make some wooden furniture, too! You can see it all on my website.

Because wood is “fuzzy”

A friend of mine actually gave me his Woodmaster Drum Sander. I hadn’t started my wooden boat parts business yet but I was happy to take it. By now, I’ve put a lot of miles on that machine!

Among other things, I use it to size down boards. All the wood I use is rough cut. Any rough cut wood is ‘fuzzy’ — fuzzy enough that you can’t really see the knots, splits, and bad spots until you get the board smooth. I’ll put a piece of mahogany, for instance, through my Woodmaster several times until I knock down the fuzz and really see the wood. Then I lay out my patterns so I get the most out of every board. Then I cut the pieces out. After I’ve glued up a piece, or if it has inlay, I’ll run it through again to level out the surface and make everything nice and even.

Just lean on it ’til it gives up

My Woodmaster works great. It’s really a nice machine. But I could see having one of Woodmaster’s double drum sanders. I use 80 grit paper the most of the time but it would be nice to have two drums so I could put fine paper on one and coarse on the other.

My shop is relatively small so I have my drum sander on castors so I can roll it around. This 26” model weighs almost 600 lbs. That’s a lot of weight. You lean on it and start pushing until it gives up and starts rolling!

They really know their stuff

When I’ve had questions, I’ve called Woodmaster and I have nothing but praise for your people. I talk to your tech guys and they really know their stuff. For example, I was trying to figure out how old my machine is so I could get the right parts. Your tech guy asked me, ‘Is it tan color?’ No, I said. ‘Well, that means it was built before 2000; that’s when we started painting them with tan powder coat paint.’ He must have been with Woodmaster a long time.

I recommend the Woodmaster Drum Sander to other woodworkers. I always tell them to choose the model you buy based on the projects you’re making. That and do proper maintenance.”

— John Owens, JO Woodworks, Woodmaster Drum Sander Owner, Texas

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COMMERCIAL LOGGER BY DAY, Woodmaster Woodworker by Night

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Beautiful use of a butterfly joint as this solid hardwood slab exits Matt Collins' 50" Woodmaster Drum Sander

Beautiful use of a butterfly joint as this solid hardwood slab exits Matt Collins’ 50″ Woodmaster Drum Sander

“I’m third generation in a family-owned logging operation. We do commercial clearing for federally-funded projects. Weekdays, I work clearing property with a big feller buncher. We sell some of the wood we cut as saw logs. We turn some into firewood with our firewood processor. We even supply wood to a biomass facility in St. Paul, Minnesota.

“But I keep the best wood for myself”
image7

Since I’m out in the field cutting trees, I’m able to pick and choose and keep the best wood for my woodworking projects. Weekends and evenings, I make furniture with my 50” Woodmaster Drum Sander and my Woodmaster Molder/Planer.

People like what I make and I sell it on Craigslist, Facebook, by word-of-mouth, and on my website. Actually, I do the building and my wife does the selling.

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table9_web

“I do a lot of live edge work”

My brothers and I bought a sawmill 10 years ago and we saw the logs into lumber. I do a lot of woodworking with live-edge slabs. I put the trees we cut to good use — oak, ash, walnut, maple, hickory, cherry, cypress and more.

Matt emphasizes woods' natural beauty in his clean, sophisticated woodworking pieces like this live edge accent table

Matt emphasizes woods’ natural beauty in his clean, sophisticated woodworking pieces like this live edge accent table

I do woodworking just because I like to do it. I’ve done it for years and I’m 100% self- taught.  I tinkered around and finally felt what I made was good enough to sell. Of course you’re your own worst critic…

I got my Woodmaster Molder/Planer first, then I decided to get a sander because I’m always working with burls and big slabs. This drum sanding machine does a really nice job. I’d give it a nine out of ten.

He tried hand-held and wide-belt sanders but…
Really, if you want to make big projects, the only way to go is a big drum sander.

Matt has 50" of sanding width to accommodate extra-wide slabs like this one... and he uses every inch

Matt has 50″ of sanding width to accommodate extra-wide slabs like this one… and he uses every inch

Live edge desk by Matt Collins. Sleek hairpin legs accentuate and contrast the powerful natural wood profile

Live edge desk by Matt Collins. Sleek hairpin legs accentuate and contrast the powerful natural wood profile

I tried small hand-held belt sanders but you just can’t get a perfect finish no matter how hard you try.

Matt (left) and his brother take a break from their family-owned logging business

Matt (left) and his brother take a break from their family-owned logging business

I looked at Timesaver® wide belt sanders but I couldn’t afford a $100,000 machine. I got my Woodmaster Drum Sander because it’s a lot more affordable, and it’s single phase. I got the biggest model, 50” wide because a lot of what I make won’t fit through narrower equipment.”

— Matt Collins, Woodmaster Drum Sander Owner, Matthew Collins Designs, Apple Valley MN

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Sons help Dad launch a family furniture building business

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Here’s Ray running poplar face frames through his 38” Woodmaster Drum Sander. The frames are for a paint-grade cabinet job that’s in the shop now.

Here’s Ray running poplar face frames through his 38” Woodmaster Drum Sander. The frames are for a paint-grade cabinet job that’s in the shop now.

“For over a decade, I have worked full time as a designer for a high-end furniture company.  Now my two boys and I build furniture in our own business, at Harmon Heirloom Furniture.

I have designed all kinds of high end furniture and custom cabinetry including but not limited to trophy rooms, vaults, bars, executive offices, kitchens, and complete residences for high end clientele like businesses, banks, and private individuals.  In contrast, ordinary working class people like me could never afford the type of furniture I have designed.  It’s easy to see why most people buy lower quality furniture and cabinetry from Ikea and other big box stores made mostly with what I call ‘GOS’ — ‘glue and other stuff.’

Ray and family made this outstanding desk for a school music department. Maple and Black Walnut with Danish Oil Finish.

Ray and family made this outstanding desk for a school music department. Maple and Black Walnut with Danish Oil Finish.

Harmon Heirloom Furniture recently completed this handsome kitchen complete with tongue & groove Red River Birch, Wenge Trim, and granite counters.

Harmon Heirloom Furniture recently completed this handsome kitchen complete with tongue & groove Red River Birch, Wenge Trim, and granite counters.

His hobby became a family business

I realized how poorly most of the furniture I owned compared to the furniture I designed but could not afford.  As a hobby, I started collecting woodworking equipment to start making quality furniture for myself.  I quickly realized how essential a sanding machine is to furniture manufacturing. That’s why my Woodmaster Drum Sander was one of my earliest purchases.

This outstanding executive desk is a full 36” x 72”. It’s made of Black Walnut and features raised panel construction, Wenge trim detailing, and more including columns with “Coves & Flutes” and top with “Dental Edge Banding."

This outstanding executive desk is a full 36” x 72”. It’s made of Black Walnut and features raised panel construction, Wenge trim detailing, and more including columns with “Coves & Flutes” and top with “Dental Edge Banding.”

The father-and-sons Harmon team gets ready to tackle a New project. Left to right: Anthony, Ray, and Michael.

The father-and-sons Harmon team gets ready to tackle a new project. Left to right: Anthony, Ray, and Michael.

For about five years, I made several units for family, friends, church, and even some for sale, including but not limited to desks, dressers, beds, kitchens, dining tables, book shelves, dressers and hutches, and doors.  Thinking ahead, my goal became to turn my hobby into a business to help supplement my income when I retire.  I want to stay active and healthy by working in retirement but I want to work for myself.

Sons came home to work with Dad

I’d been talking to my two sons, Michael and Anthony, about my plans and they both became interested in going into business with me. One lived in Virginia and the other in Texas.  Soon they both moved back home to Arkansas and we started the business in June of 2014.  Now with my sons home I get to see my grandchildren all the time! I just can’t tell you how much that means to me and my wife.

Together, with savings and loans, we build a 1500 square foot shop, fit it with more equipment, and started making furniture. We knew most people don’t have good access to affordable quality furniture, so our goal was, and still is today, to make good quality furniture at a reasonable price.

Both my boys work full time for a local builder, and part time in our own business.  We’re continuing to get more business through contacts they have established with their employer and other local builders.  We desire to continue to grow the business to the point where all of us can eventually move into full time furniture manufacturing.

Daughters, too, get involved in Ray's family furniture business. Here's Destinee running a face frame through their Woodmaster Drum Sander.

Daughters, too, get involved in Ray’s family furniture business. Here’s Destinee running a face frame through their Woodmaster Drum Sander.

This impressive Credenza was made to match the maple and walnut desk above.

This impressive Credenza was made to match the maple and walnut desk above.

Ray’s son Anthony shows off the company’s unique two-person desk; their original design made of mahogany.

Ray’s son Anthony shows off the company’s unique two-person desk; their original design made of mahogany.

Since the beginning of our business we have made several desks, kitchens, vanities, tables, main entrance doors, and much more. We’ve even made a 6’ x 6’ wall hanging — a huge Scrabble board — for a retirement home in Oregon.  And we built three huge conference tables for a customer in Florida. The biggest was 5’ x 14’ made of 8/4 walnut.  My heart is in making the beautiful artistic solid wood furniture units, but we make our share of economy grade furniture as well.

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Ray’s son Michael running some stock down through the 38" Woodmaster Drum Sander.

Ray’s son Michael running some stock down through the 38″ Woodmaster Drum Sander.

Small town advantage

One of the advantages working in a small town is I’m often taking field measurements on a house right after framing.  I’m able to provide the contractor and/or homeowner a concept drawing along with the proposal, which is often used in utility planning and framing modifications.  No other manufacture in our area offers that level of service, and with my background in design, I can make a project look good while still being economical.  This results in a high percentage of jobs we quote being awarded to us.

My Woodmaster Drum Sander is the 3875 — 38” single drum. It’s a sweet machine and I love it. But sometimes I wish I’d gotten the bigger model, especially when I’m running assemblies larger than 36 inches wide.  I’ve been looking into the Woodmaster  50” Double Drum Sander, where one or both drums can be used in the same pass. I’d put 80 grit on one and 120 on the other. I hope to trade up someday.

I talked to Woodmaster owners before buying

I did a lot of research, and Woodmaster always came up as the brand to buy. Woodmaster hooked me up with some Woodmaster drum sanders owners.  They gave plenty of positive feedback and vital information, like ‘don’t chintz on the dust collection’.

I didn’t hear much positive feedback on the Grizzly® drum sanders.  Grizzly® sells a popular 37” wide belt sander but its starting price is around $10,000 not including the dust collection.  I paid around $4,000 for my Woodmaster Drum Sander including all the dust collection. You can’t do better than that.

The machine is easy to operate.  As I’ve learned the machine I’m getting better longevity out of my sand paper.  You can tell when the machine is running properly by the swishing sound it makes.  The secret is maintaining the best feed rate and sanding depth for the wood density you’re sanding. With 80 grit loaded on the drum, I generally take a quarter-turn on the handle, or .015 inch per pass, at a feed rate of 50 inches per minute.  On wider boards, higher density wood, or with 120 grit loaded on the drum, I take as little as one-eighth turn on the handle, or .007 inch per pass, but rarely do I run the feed rate less than 50 inches per minute.

I have an older Woodmaster Molder/Planer I’m thinking of rebuilding or replacing. I’ll make custom molding and trim to add to our capabilities.

For a guy like me…

This drum sander does a great job; one reason is I have a good vacuum system. When I was researching sanders, a lot of people said, ‘Go with a wide belt sander.’ But they’re so expensive, most starting around $8-10K minimum, and much higher.  My full time employer has a four-head wide belt sanding machine from Germany costing more than $150K. They need a machine like that for the sheer volume of wood they process, but for a guys like me, there’s no better sander than a Woodmaster.

— Ray Harmon, Harmon Heirloom Furniture, Heber AR        Woodmaster Drum Sander Owner

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Woodmaster Drum Sander Owners: PLEASE SEND ME YOUR WOODWORKING PHOTOS!

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Charles McCullough made 76 full size doors with his 50" Woodmaster Drum Sander

Charles McCullough made 76 full size doors with his 50″ Woodmaster Drum Sander

Dear Woodmaster Drum Sander Owner,

Will you help me out?

Please email me photos of your drum sander projects, your shop, photos of you and your Woodmaster.

John Mannino makes extraordinary guitars with his Woodmaster Drum Sander

John Mannino makes extraordinary guitars with his Woodmaster Drum Sander

Here’s why I’m asking…

Woodworkers who’re thinking about getting a Woodmaster Drum Sander often ask us, “What could I actually do with a Woodmaster Drum Sander?”

We figure the best way to TELL them is to SHOW them what woodworkers like you are making with your Woodmaster Drum Sanders.

We’ll post the best ones on our Facebook page. Send GREAT photos and I’ll interview you and post your story and photos on this blog — the Woodmaster Drum Sander blog.

Scroll through this blog and you’ll see dozens of stories about some of our top drum sander owners. Email me your photos and our next blog post could be YOUR story and photos!

Dennis Hogan makes military service plaques with his Woodmaster Drum Sander

Dennis Hogan makes military service plaques with his Woodmaster Drum Sander

Having your story and photos featured on our blog would be a real feather in your cap. It would get your name out there and give you great bragging rights with your buddies!

Thanks in advance and I look forward to seeing your Woodmaster Drum Sander photos soon.

Steve Edwards,

Editor, Woodmaster Tools

P.S.

It’s EASY to email me photos. Simply click here to open a blank email addressed to me. Attach your photos, jot a quick note, and send!

P.P.S

SAVE BIG NOW on Woodmaster Drum Sanders! – sale prices, online specials

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Richard Vega makes rustic Adirondack furniture with his Woodmaster Drum Sander

Richard Vega makes rustic Adirondack furniture with his Woodmaster Drum Sander

Art Blackwelder faces cast aluminum golf course markers with his Woodmaster Drum Sander

Art Blackwelder faces cast aluminum golf course markers with his Woodmaster Drum Sander

Chuck Phelps made this outstanding mesquite pool table with his Woodmaster Drum Sander

Chuck Phelps made this outstanding mesquite pool table with his Woodmaster Drum Sander

Caroline Spurgeon has made over 3,000 weaving looms with her Woodmaster Drum Sander

Caroline Spurgeon has made over 3,000 weaving looms with her Woodmaster Drum Sander

WHAT ARE YOU MAKING WITH YOUR WOODMASTER DRUM SANDER?

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VETERANS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE — Woodworker makes military service plaques with his Woodmaster Drum Sander

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Dennis Hogan's a volunteer on a mission. Returning from the Service in Vietnam, he felt vets weren't being respected. These days, he's saying "Thanks for your Service" with Service Plaques he makes with his Woodmaster Drum Sander.

Dennis Hogan’s a volunteer on a mission. Returning from the Service in Vietnam, he felt vets weren’t being respected. These days, he’s saying “Thanks for your Service” with Service Plaques he makes with his Woodmaster Drum Sander.

    More than a few Woodmaster owners have shared truly inspiring stories on our blogs. Here’s a powerful new story — a Washington woodworker who honors his fellow veterans with military plaques he makes with his Woodmaster Drum Sander.

“I was in construction for 25 years, then I was a machinist at Boeing Aircraft Company. I retired 13 years ago and have combined those two professions in woodworking.

Super-handy volunteer — the kind organizations love

Here's our man Joe Brennan, head of sales at Woodmaster. Joe was surprised and very pleased when he received the service plaque Dennis made for him.

Here’s our man Joe Brennan, head of sales at Woodmaster. Joe was surprised and very pleased when he received the service plaque Dennis made for him.

All the woodworking I do is volunteer. I can’t remember the last time I charged anyone anything. I do volunteer woodworking, remodeling, cabinetmaking, and more. I’ve done a lot of work building new display cabinets for the Costal Interpretive Center in Ocean Shores, WA.

I’m involved in the VFW, too. The local post acquired a 4,400 square foot building that needed extensive repair. And I built a 24’ x 36’ pavilion for our church last summer.

Deep appreciation for service veterans

But my special interest is making plaques for service veterans, WWII Vets especially. I served in Vietnam and when we all came home, it seemed like we weren’t very well respected. Times have changed but I started making these plaques as a way of showing appreciation for other veterans. They deserve it — they put their lives on the line for other Americans.

Honoring vets, Dennis has made hundreds of commemorative Service plaques. Each one takes him 8 hours or so.

Honoring vets, Dennis has made hundreds of commemorative Service plaques. Each one takes him 8 hours or so.

It’s amazing the stories that come up when I present a plaque to a vet. The stories come up and the tears come down. I find this work to be greatly satisfying.

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8 hours apiece

I use Eastern Ash for my plaques. It’s equivalent to oak but a lighter color. They start as glue-ups – I glue 2 to 4 boards into a blank 15” x 24”. The blanks start out about 1” thick and I dimension them down to 0.800 – a little more than 3/4” — on my Woodmaster Drum Sander.

Here's Dennis' "Ace hardware CNC router." Yes, he made it himself with parts from here and there and Ace Hardware. It obviously does a great job as you can see in the intricate bas relief carvings and engraving on his plaques.

Here’s Dennis’ “Ace hardware CNC router.” Yes, he made it himself with parts from here and there and Ace Hardware. It obviously does a great job as you can see in the intricate bas relief carvings and engraving on his plaques.

I engrave them with a CNC router I built. I call it my ‘ACE Hardware Special.’ I have templates for all the service branches — Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and so on. I engrave the soldier’s name, date going into the service, date leaving, where they were stationed — Vietnam, Korea, more. Often, I’ll engrave the name of a sailor’s ship on his plaque. Then I hand paint them. I give each one with a note of personal appreciation plus a letter explaining why I do this.

I’ve made about 200 of these plaques in the last 4 years, 7 or 8 a month. Each one takes about 8 hours.

Retired builder & machinist, he knows his way around drum sanders

I got my 26″ Woodmaster Drum Sander mostly to make these plaques. I’ve had different sanders through the years but I wanted to make better quality plaques so I looked to Woodmaster. I had a Grizzly® sander and it would burn up sandpaper if you used the wrong speed. It gouged the wood, too. And it wasn’t cheap when you consider the sandpaper I was going through.

Woodmaster had features I liked, like slow sanding speed. The drum turns at 700 rpm, I think, whereas imports run over 1,000 rpm, maybe 1,700 rpm. The imports’ fast speed heats the paper so it loads up and burns wood. That’s not a problem with Woodmaster. It’s very forgiving.

Self-feed plus reverse

Woodmaster, wow, you just put wood in at one end. It self-feeds through and it comes out the other end. A really nice feature is power reverse. I just run it back and forth, sanding both ways, maybe adjusting the sanding depth a little deeper with each forward or reverse pass. There’s no snipe. It does just a wonderful job.

Overhead plaqueBeing able to reverse the feed means I don’t have to walk back and forth, don’t have to carry a 10’ hardwood board from one end of the machine to the other.

Changing paper on imported sanders took me half an hour because you have to take the machine half apart. With Woodmaster’s hook-and-loop paper fastening system, paper changes take just a couple minutes. It’s no time at all to change from coarse, to medium, to fine, though I run 150 grit most of the time.

All today’s sanders are made in China except Woodmaster: USA

I was thinking I wanted a big, wide belt sander but the starting price is up to $7,000. I have a small shop and a small pocketbook! As far as I’m concerned, this Woodmaster does as good a job as a wide belt sander for far less money. There are lots of drum sanders on the market but all are made in China except this one. Woodmaster’s made in the USA and it isn’t any more expensive than imports.

I’m totally pleased with this sander. I’m on a learning curve but I’m pretty close to being up to speed. I had a question so I contacted Joe Brennan at Woodmaster. He got back to me within 20 minutes with the answer. I really like dealing with a company that has service after the sale. So many times these days, if you have a problem, a company will say it’s your fault and that’s it. Woodmaster doesn’t treat me that way — they work with me.

Talking to Joe, we chatted about the military. Back in ’66, I was on a mine sweeper in Vietnam. Turns out Joe was in the same squadron a couple years later. Small world.”

— Dennis Hogan, Woodmaster Drum Sander Owner, Ocean Shores WA

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TWIN SANDING DRUMS give this enterprising woodworker 3 SANDING OPTIONS IN 1 SETUP

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Meet Edwin Miller, woodworker and Woodmaster Drum Sander owner.

Meet Edson Miller, woodworker and Woodmaster Drum Sander owner.

Frankly, it’s fascinating to talk with hands-on guys (gals, too) who are building, making, and doing really interesting projects. We spoke recently with Edson Miller, woodworker, from Idaho. He tells us he “dabbled in woodworking” all his life. Looks like he’s moved well beyond that. Today, he’s got a healthy and thriving woodworking business.

And Edson’s discovered the little-known ‘hidden talent’ of his Woodmaster double-drum sander — 3 sanding options with 1 setup…….

Bet you haven't seen a Facebook page like Edwin's. He's posted dozens, dozens, and dozens of photos of his work. This is one busy woodworker!

Bet you haven’t seen a Facebook page like Edson’s. He’s posted dozens, dozens, and dozens of photos of his work. This is one busy woodworker!

“I got started woodworking as a young boy. My dad bought me some woodworking tools, a jigsaw. I got more tools over time, of course, and I’ve been dabbling in woodworking all these years. In the last few years, I started watching woodworking videos and reading woodworking magazines and got inspired to start serious woodworking.

I got my Woodmaster Planer in 2007 or so, then my Woodmaster Drum Sander in 2010. Later, I bought one of your dust collectors and I wouldn’t work without it.

I started making molding and made enough to pay for the Planer. I did quite well, actually, working part time. Meanwhile, I ran various businesses — a seamless gutter business, lawn care and maintenance businesses. About that time, we built a house and I made all the trim with poplar that came from my wife’s cousin who had a sawmill.

Here's a sample of the output from Mr. Miller's double-drum Woodmaster Drum Sander. Smooth as a baby's bottom!

Here’s a sample of the output from Mr. Miller’s double-drum Woodmaster Drum Sander. Smooth as a baby’s bottom!

Sander 80% faster than hand sanding…better, too

By the 2010, I was making custom furniture and I realized I could save sanding time with your 38” double drum sander. I use it to prep materials for bunk beds, Adirondack furniture, desk, tables, and other furniture I make. It’s worked out very well.

I make both ‘fine’ and ‘rustic’ furniture, a nice variety. I purchase rough or semi-rough lumber — oak, hickory, whatever. The thickness can be inconsistent. Some boards are thicker than others and rather than sand them all to the same thickness, I started planing every board with my Woodmaster Planer. I do both sides, down to 1-3/8” for example.

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I got Woodmaster’s 38” Drum Sander 3875-X2 because I’d rather go a little bigger than I need and it’s paid off handsomely. For example the desks I build get pretty wide and I’ve never regretted having a 38” machine.

Edwin told us this picture is "a couple of grandkids enjoying fine furniture." Cute.

Edson told us this picture is “a couple of grandkids enjoying fine furniture.” Cute.

Picnic Table1 setup, 2 drums, 3 sanding options

Double drums - that's 2 drums, side by side. 3 sanding options: 1) Sand with 1 drum, 2) or the second drum 3) or BOTH drums for primary and secondary sanding in a single pass.

Double drums – that’s 2 drums, side by side. 3 sanding options: 1) Sand with 1 drum, 2) or the second drum 3) or BOTH drums for primary and secondary sanding in a single pass.

And the double drum? I wouldn’t want to go any other way. Here’s how I use the two drums. I put coarser, 100-grit sandpaper on the first drum at the ‘feed’ end of the machine. And I put finer, 180-grit paper on the second drum at the ‘exit’ end.

I can run wood through both drums in one pass. Or, when I want to, I can raise the finer-grit first drum out of the way and run wood through just the coarser-grit drum. Using the machine’s reverse, I can bring the wood back to me and feed it back and forth to dimension it. When I get it to the thickness I want, I lower the finer-grit drum back down.

Both drums can go up and down – actually, it’s the table that goes up and down but the effect is that you can sand with one drum, the other drum, or both drums.

Here's one of Edwin's elaborate, "double decker" bunk beds. Might just make kids (and parents) look forward to bedtime.

Here’s one of Edson’s elaborate, “double decker” bunk beds. Might just make kids (and parents) look forward to bedtime.

All that gives me quite a bit of sanding leeway. The primary advantage is you can do primary and secondary sanding in one pass. It’s so smooth it’s amazing. And it’s a huge time saver — I save at least 80% of the time it takes to hand sand. And then of course you can sand with just fine, just coarse, or both fine and coarse in the same pass.

(Editor’s Note: Readers, Woodmaster’s 3-way sanding option is totally unique. No other double-drum sander can sand with one drum, OR the other drum, OR both drums. More info? Contact us.)

Mr. Miller's got a Woodmaster Molder/Planer, too. But that's another story, for another post on the Woodmaster Planer blog!

Mr. Miller’s got a Woodmaster Molder/Planer, too. But that’s another story, for another post on the Woodmaster Planer blog!

Awesome quality

I’ve never regretted purchasing my Woodmaster machines. Both have worked very well and have been trouble free. They do awesome quality work. They don’t make trouble, they just work!”

— Edson Miller, Magic Valley Woodworks, Gooding ID — Woodmaster Drum Sander & Molder/Planer Owner

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DON’T ASK CAROLINE if her wood order is for her husband!

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Caroline Can Do It!

DSC04621Caroline Spurgeon is an accomplished craftswoman from Colorado. She’s been a hand-weaver for decades, then stepped up her game by designing, building, and selling her own weaving looms. She recently sold the loom manufacturing business she built and devotes her considerable woodworking talents to making one-of-a-kind projects with her Woodmaster Drum Sander.

Caroline told us, "I designed my looms to make Navajo-style miniature rugs. I have always loved the designs found in Navajo rugs and started weaving them in the 1970’s. Now my looms are used for any tapestry style weavings." The looms come in three sizes. The smallest is 12” x 15". The medium is 17” x 22” and the large is 27” x 30. I’ve made them in a variety of woods. The ones pictured are walnut, African padauk, and bird’s eye maple.

Caroline told us, “I designed my looms to make Navajo-style miniature rugs. I have always loved the designs found in Navajo rugs and started weaving them in the 1970’s. Now my looms are used for any tapestry style weavings.” The looms come in three sizes. The smallest is 12” x 15″. The medium is 17” x 22” and the large is 27” x 30. I’ve made them in a variety of woods. The ones pictured are walnut, African padauk, and bird’s eye maple.

“I’ve always loved the designs found in hand-woven, Navajo-style rugs. I began weaving them myself, full size, in the 1970’s. Over the years, I designed and built looms to weave miniature Navajo-design rugs.

3,000 looms

Woodworking runs in my family. My grandfather was a master woodworker. I inherited his tools including his 1954 Craftsman table saw. I always did woodworking as a hobby, then I went into full-time, production woodworking 16 years ago. I built and sold over 3,000 of my looms in that time! I sold my loom-making business recently and now I can devote my time to more creative woodworking projects. You can see my looms at the website I built for my business.

These days, I’m making one-of-a-kind jewelry boxes, benches, heirloom cradles, and more. Currently, I’m making the cabinets for one of my son’s homes. Production work is great but you have to continually produce. Now, in semi-retirement, I’m building things that are more fun and more creative.

"My large jewelry box with all the drawers is walnut and maple. It is 14” x 10” x 20” high. The smaller one is 14” x 10” x 6” and is made of walnut and oak with crushed turquoise inlay."

“My large jewelry box with all the drawers is walnut and maple. It is 14” x 10” x 20” high. The smaller one is 14” x 10” x 6” and is made of walnut and oak with crushed turquoise inlay.”

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Sand before ripping

Navajo weaver, Jennie Slick (right), teaches students Navajo-style weaving using Caroline's handmade looms.

Navajo weaver, Jennie Slick (right), teaches students Navajo-style weaving using Caroline’s handmade looms.

I got a Woodmaster Drum Sander because I do a lot of sanding. Hand sanding is really labor intensive; sanding with the Woodmaster cuts my sanding time at least in half. For my looms, I sanded boards on all four sides. I’d sand boards before I ripped them to the right width — it really reduced my work greatly and created a very consistent, even surface.

Also, sanding with the Woodmaster also saves wear and tear on the body. I wish I’d gotten one about 10 years earlier! Physically, it’s really easy to use. It couldn’t be simpler. There’s only an on/off switch and the handle to raise and lower the bed. It’s easy to use, it’s made in the USA, and the folks at Woodmaster have always been very helpful. I think this machine is the best on the market.

I had a Woodmaster Molder/Planer, too, but I just sold it since I’m not doing production work any more. It was a fast sale — I put it on Ebay and got $48 more than I paid for it!”

— Caroline Spurgeon, craftswoman & Woodmaster Owner, Colorado

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