A drum sander is a woodworking machine used to sand and smoothen wooden surfaces. It consists of a rotating drum (usually made of sandpaper or abrasive material) that sands the workpiece as it moves over it. 

Uses of a Drum Sander

Drum sanders are useful for various tasks such as:

• Floor Sanding: Drum sanders are suitable for refinishing hardwood floors. They can efficiently remove old finish, scratches, and imperfections from the wood.
• Material Thickness Reduction: Woodworkers often use drum sanders to reduce the thickness of wooden boards or panels to meet specific requirements.
• Surface Smoothing: Drum sanders can smoothen rough or uneven wood surfaces in cabinetry and furniture making.
• Sanding Large Panels: Lastly, drum sanders are effective for sanding large wooden panels or tabletops, where hand sanding would be impractical or time-consuming. 

Handling Safety

Drum sanders require proper handling to avoid accidents and injuries. Here are some guidelines for a safer woodworking experience:

• Proper Training: Operators are advised to undergo proper training first before handling this machine. This helps establish safety practices in the workplace. 
• Wear Safety Gear: Drum sanders can generate tremendous amounts of noise, dust and debris. It is highly recommended that woodworkers use safety goggles, respirators, hearing protectors, and dust collectors.
• Inspect the Machine: Always inspect the machine and its abrasives to make sure everything is in perfect working condition.
• Feed Rate: Maintain a steady and even feed rate of the workpiece into the machine. Rushing the procedure will result in an uneven finish and increase the risk of kickback.
• Moderate Pressure: Use moderate and consistent pressure on the workpiece, avoiding excessive force.
• Keep Hands Away: Always keep hands away from the sanding drum and conveyor belt. Use push sticks and push blocks to feed the workpiece through the machine.

Buying A Drum Sander

There are several drum sanders on the market, here are some of them:

• JET JWDS-1632, (Comes with Stand)
• Grizzly Industrial G0458Z
• Powermatic PM2244
• JET JWDS-1020, 10-Inch Benchtop