I'm building a woodworking drum sander (ShopNotes Vol 15, Issue 86) which calls for a 24" long 3/4" steel rod for the drum arbor. The rod needs drilling and a flat for the pulley set screw. I looked at zinc coated steel rod (about $6 per 3' ) and water quenched drill rod (about $27 per 3' len) at OSH. There will not be significant weight applied, just torsion stress from sanding across 16 inches surface. I suspect the drill rod is overkill for this but would like to hear from you experts. Also, will I have a much harder time cutting, drilling, and grinding the drill rod? Would smaller diameter drill rod do the same job as 3/4" mild steel? Thx.
- posted
18 years ago