Guinevere® Inflatable Sander Use
OPEN Guinevere Instructions 2012 (Printable PDF file)
Preparation, Assembly, Mounting and Inflating Model 11351 Drum Sander
1. Wipe the rubber bulb and the inside of the sleeve with a slightly damp cloth to ensure a good grip for the sleeve.
2. Check that the rubber bulb is centered under the cap washers so that there will be no air leakage and then check that the Allen cap screw is tight on with the Allen key provided.
3. Install the desired sanding sleeve on the drum, making sure the slightly higher side of the lapped edge is heading into the work first. This is usually in a clockwise direction. NOTE – if using a flex shaft, DO NOT operate it in a counterclockwise direction, as this will damage the shaft unless the manufacturer specifically states that their shaft can be run in reverse.
4. It’s important to have some of the sleeve projecting past each end of the drum, to protect the rubber, and also to take advantage of one of the main features of our drums – the ability to soft sand even on the corners of the drum.
5. When fitted with a sanding sleeve, place a 1/16″ spacer/flat washer on a firm surface. Place the flat end of the drum on the spacer. This will allow the sanding sleeve to project past the end of the drum. Inflate as follows.
6. Pump carefully until you are used to the amount of air required to inflate. These drums need very little air. For example, on our small hand pump, one upstroke and one down-stroke is all that’s usually needed. The strokes should be made with a small distinct thrust, especially when the sander is new. A simple pliancy test is to press the sander together using your thumb and index finger. It should be easy to press the rubber and sanding sleeve against the inner spindle. Again, it’s much faster to get the required firmness while inflating, than to pump the drum firm, and then try to release just the right amount of air by loosening the bottom nut. Often, especially if the drum has been pumped up quite firm, the air escapes much too quickly to tighten the nut in time.
7. Test the drum on a smooth scrap piece to make sure you have the right speed and that everything is tight.
8. Always wear proper eye protection when using the Guinevere drums, and make sure you are using an adequate dust collection/prevention system.
9. To deflate the sander use the Allen key and untighten the Allen screw.
Preparation, Assembly, Mounting and Inflating Model 11341 Round Sander
1. If the bulb or sanding sleeve has dust on it, wipe the rubber bulb and the inside of the sleeve with a clean damp cloth to ensure a good grip for the sanding sleeve.
2. Hand tighten the nut on the shaft firmly, making sure that the bulb is centered under the large washer. Insert the shaft of the sander securely into the rubber throat of Guinevere’s included hand pump. Place sleeve over the rubber bulb and slide it down until the small rubber locator tip on the apex of the bulb projects through the hole in the top of the sanding sleeve.
TIP 1: With this inflatable round sander, do not hold onto the sanding sleeve while inflating, as this causes the sleeve to move around. After inflating, the rubber locator should still be sticking out through the hole in the sleeve, to ensure that the sleeve is centered on the bulb. This will keep the sleeve balanced, and help eliminate vibration, especially at higher speeds. Once there is sufficient air in the sander ie. the rubber must lie against the rubber, the sleeve will stay in place and you can adjust the firmness to suit the job.
TIP 2:Another tip is to hold the round sander and pump in the same hand while pumping with the other hand. Grip the sander with your thumb, index finger and middle finger. Insert the pump on the drive shaft and then grip the pump using your ring-finger and little finger. Pump with small thrusts.
TIP 3: To deflate the sander, squeeze the bulb firmly around the circumference with thumb and index finger and unscrew the nut maximum one full turn. Then, while still squeezing the bulb, take hold of the shaft of the sander, and wobble it back and forth. This will allow the air to escape while preventing the bulb from popping out over the washer.
If it does pop out, take the nut off, pull the bulb off, then remove the washer, pull the bulb on over the metal rim of the sander again, and replace the washer and nut. This whole process only takes a minute, but can be avoided by using TIP 2. This sander will perform best if used with a quality hand piece or flex shaft, to avoid vibrations caused by lower quality tools.
NOTE: for hobbyists who feel that they cannot tighten the hex nut sufficiently by hand, a small wrench may be used. If using a wrench, tighten only until firm. Do not squeeze the rubber too much as this may stretch the bulb around the nut. These drums are designed with an air seal that requires only moderate pressure to keep the air in. While the drum is working, the bulb squirms around somewhat, and an over-tightened nut may result in chafing of the rubber in that area, shortening the life of the bulb.
The ideal situation is to have different grits mounted on each drum, which greatly speeds up the sanding process. In many cases, our customers eventually get to the point in their expertise with our drums where they can virtually eliminate hand sanding on many jobs.
How to Inflate Model 11351 Drum Sander:
Step 1: Center the rubber bulb under the cap washer, then tighten the Allen head cap screw with the Allen key provided.
Step 2: On the shaft end, once again center the bulb under the cap washer, then hand tighten the hex nut firmly. If using a wrench tighten lightly!
Step 3: Install the sanding sleeve by gently pushing the sleeve at the joined edge over the rubber drum. Use a washer or coin to allow the sleeve to slightly extend past end of the drum.
Step 4: Place hand pump on shaft end, grip sides of the drum with two fingers, inflate while feeling for just the right firmness to match the grit used. To release air from the drum, slowly undo the hex nut until sufficient air escapes, then quickly tighten the hex nut.
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