Q&A: When Do I Need a New Big Machine Drum?

Problems with big machine drums aren't always as obvious as the chunks missing out of this drum. (Photo courtesy of Russ Watts)

Another pro told me it's probably time to replace the drum on the big machine. How do I know if it really needs to be replaced?

Russ Watts, who handles sales and service for Denver-based Lägler North America, answers:

Before you apply your finish on a wood floor you have just sanded, that floor should be flat as your eye looks across it, and the character of the wood should be clearly expressed without any "signatures" (often repeating) left behind from your sanding. In cases where these visual tests chronically fail—and require profit-killing extra work to correct—all too often, the culprit is the condition of the drum.

A good wood flooring professional will always make a brief inspection to both sides of the spent sandpaper any time the abrasive is replaced during sanding. Signs of trouble here can take the form of lines or bands of sanding deposits, and how centered (or not centered) these deposits are can let you know you need corrective action before problems show up in the sanded floor. That same good professional will also periodically inspect the drum itself, searching for any damage or wear that is likely to affect performance.

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As important as it is to inspect the drum, know that a poorly performing drum will not always reveal itself in an inspection. A drum can look perfectly good and run seemingly vibration-free but perform poorly due to less obvious factors such as balance and aging of the rubber. If your drum's rubber is older than four years and you are experiencing results below expectations, changing out your drum is a valid service option. If you feel your sanding machine's drum may be robbing you of sanding performance, check with your manufacturer's recommendations and consider changing it out.