Best source for new 8" expando drums

[ElectricMonk]

Curious where people buy their expando drums and whether they have had issues with the new ones they purchased. My understanding is they can be hit and miss as far as belts walking off the drum, especially if you buy used.

I see that Covington sells them directly as well as Rio Grande. I figured they are going to run me about $75 a piece more or less. Rio Grande has a price break if you buy more than a couple at a time but I am unsure about the quality of their drums.

Thoughts, experiences regarding this would be appreciated. We are getting closer and closer to being ready to cab...patience may be a virtue but I am getting antsy :)

[Steve]

I bought my 6" expandable from Thunderbird Supply back in the early 90's and it's still rockin'...........I've had no problem with the sanding belts sliding when spinning.  If you get your 8" from Rio, IJS or T-bird there should be no problem.

[Taogem]

I purchased a few new ones off eBay for about 50 each..

Can't say they are perfectly true. Ever so slight a wobble. More like they are just not perfectly round.

If I purchase more in the future, will likely spend much more for top end expandos..

[ElectricMonk]

I purchased a few new ones off eBay for about 50 each..

Can't say they are perfectly true. Ever so slight a wobble. More like they are just not perfectly round.

If I purchase more in the future, will likely spend much more for top end expandos..

What are the "top end" expando's from your research/experience? I would rather spend my money once and not be disappointed.

Cheers! :)

[johnjsgems]

Unless the Chinese are making them now, there are only two manufacturers.  Raytech "Rayspan" and Lortone (formerly Scott Murray).  Rayspans go up every year (list is now $96 for 8" X 3").  I've heard but can't verify that Lortones expand better so hold belts better.  Rayspans usually work well at 1725 rpm but belts may slip at lower speeds.  I have a 6" X 1.5" Rayspan on my Genie and it wobbles at start but trues at speed with no vibration. 

[Rockoteer]

I am going to chime in here.  On my next purchase I am going to get a good 8" diamond wheel after I research the subject thouroughly  on this forum.  I know we have discussed it at great length and I too want the most bang for my buck.  There are so many variables to consider but sitting down with pencil and paper in hand I think one could come up with the ideal solution.  Could be a combo, like so many people have.?.?.

TOG

[ElectricMonk]

Rio Grande has some Chinese and Taiwanese made expando's. The 8X3 is a Chinese make, can't tell from a photo how it would compare.

Anyone have a link to the Lortone or Raytech drums as far as a reseller? Covington sells them but I have no idea who they source them from.

Thanks!

http://www.riogrande.com/MemberArea/SearchPage.aspx?page=GRID&category|category_root|120=Bench+Tools+and+Equipment&category|cat_120|286=Lapidary&category|cat_286|1044=Supplies&category|cat_1044|2548=Expander+Drums

[ElectricMonk]

Looks like Kingsley North sells both the Rayspan and Lortone drums. Anyone know if the Lortone is a 1" arbor and/or if it comes with bushings like the Rayspan? I suppose I could contact them but past experience with big resellers is that the phone operators don't know the equipment very well.

Thanks again!

[Steve]

Can't say about the 8"......my 6" came with plastic inserts for various diameter shafts.............

Just checked T-bird's on line catalog - http://www.thunderbirdsupply.com/proddetail.aspx?StockNum=701031

[socalagatehound]

I deal with Kingsley North all the time and they are very good about getting you what you need.  The phone operator will gladly connect you with one of the guys in the back who can be of great help.  They have for me.  I just replaced my 8x3 Expando and have some slippage at the low speed.  Need to speed up the arbor when I go to that wheel.  The drums come with a knock out for various diameter arbors.

I also have had a great experience with Covington directly.

[ElectricMonk]

Anyone know if the Covington and Thunderbird supply expando's are the Raytech brand or not? They look like they might be, definitely not the Lortone as they look distinctly different.

It looks like I might be able to get a pair of expando's on my poly arbor and just extend the water shield to take up the extra space. The arbor is shorter but given that it has a 1 1/2" wide solid wheel on it I think that the expando wouldn't extend past that given that the center is inset quite a bit.

On a side note I picked up a Highland Park E50 unit that is in tip top shape for a great price. Think I will add two expando drums on the left arbor and have a custom shroud and catch pan made for it. Should be able to get both expando's on their relatively easily (I hope) with enough room between to make it work. That way I can go from both solid wheels, working left to right, and set the poly arbor to the left of the Highland Park unit and have 6 wheels.

Huzzah!

[bobby1]

I only use the Lortone 8" Expandos and I run my arbor at about 1450 rpm because I want a softer wheel. I don't have any problems with slippage. I get 8 to 10 years out of a wheel even doing a lot of dry sanding which makes the wheel get hotter than sanding wet.
I wouldn't trust the Chinese made wheels, though.
Bob

[johnjsgems]

I have removed expandos from Covington units I've sold and there is no label.   You could ask them.  I would be leery of Chinese expandos.  I think Kingsley had the Rayspans on sale a while back.  They still carry the old "Exact Span" Lortone drums so be careful if ordering Lortone drums.  They are not the same thing.  I think the older Lortone expanding drums had a rubber center bushing that was size specific. 

[ElectricMonk]

I have removed expandos from Covington units I've sold and there is no label.   You could ask them.  I would be leery of Chinese expandos.  I think Kingsley had the Rayspans on sale a while back.  They still carry the old "Exact Span" Lortone drums so be careful if ordering Lortone drums.  They are not the same thing.  I think the older Lortone expanding drums had a rubber center bushing that was size specific. 

Thanks for the heads up! I have an old Poly Arbor that I was going to convert for expando purposes, it currently has hard 1 1/2" wheels installed. By the time I extend the cages and build a catch pan, drain system and water inlet I may just think about selling it and buying a new Covington unit for the $550.00 it would cost shipped to my door from ebay.

I figure I have $150 into the poly arbor, have to add a motor (I have a spare though) and need to get some metal work done. By the time I buy a pair of drums I am already 300 into the deal and still have to figure out the catch pans and hoods.

The other option is to fabricate my own hoods and pans and use the money I save to buy a mig welder! I suppose it comes down to whether or not I want another project.

Someone save me from myself, my wife just encourages me! LOL :)

[srserl]

Here is the best buy I have found on a 2 expando drum unit lately: http://www.lapidarymachines.com/expanding_drums-belts.shtml