It’s here. My Sand-Rite was delivered on Monday. It’s uncrated and in the basement. I had a moment of panic when I realized the “operating instructions” were printed on a single sheet of paper. I panicked when I realized I didn’t have a clue how to inflate the pneumatic drums. Lucky for me a couple of fella were showcasing their home workshops onthe internet…one of them inflates his pneumatic drum sander with a hand pump…the other (more specifically) with a bicycle pump. Once I saw the warning about the maximum 8 psi I ruled out a compressor. A month or two ago I got a new bicycle pump, with a pressure dial and all the pin attachments I could ever need…yay!

Today is the first day I have back at home…I was at my paying job all day yesterday. Today, I’ll put together the stand, and figure out if I need a rubber mat under the thing so the sander doesn’t vibrate or start wandering across the floor.

Today, I need to answer a bunch of boot phone calls…day jobs, time zones get in the way. I promised myself I’d work at least an hour on my book propsal before I pick up the phone.

I’ve been tracking my crate on UPS.com. It’s suppose to show up today. I have my front door propped open…the universal sign of somebody’s home here.

I’ve been listening for the truck…but it hasn’t come yet. It’s Monday, so the little store on the corner is getting its deliveries. And the “F” bus has come every half hour or so…and the #88 every twenty minutes.

I’ve cleared the driveway, and stuck a $20 bill in my pocket.

…waiting….waiting.

(Total came to $990.36)

My Sand-Rite ought to be delivered Monday. I caught the UPS guy driving down the street…he didn’t seem too excited about delivering a 150 crate next week. I’m gonna see if I can get him to wheel it into the backyard for me. Gravity ought to be enough to get it down the basement steps.

I’ve got a spot cleared for it downstairs. The file cabinet’s gone, and I took a box of “stuff” to Goodwill. Melody Dawkins called this morning and left me a message…she might have some more of the equipment I need. I just checked MapQuest.com. I’ve got 100 mile towing for the Ranchero, and Folsom is 106 miles away…that’s what I call luck.

I did it! I bought a sander…and who could go wrong with a name like “Sand-Rite”.

Sure, I was going to get the one I found on Amazon.com…but I started getting nervous about the customer reviews. Two out of three complained about warped discs and crappy plastic parts. The only thing worse than getting a 200lb. sander stuck in my basement doorway, would be to repack it, and pay UPS shipping to send it back. Plus that Delta sander had those pesky guards, and drop down belt…I really just wanted the drum.

Yesterday, I did one last “Google” search…this time for “pneumatic drum”, and I found “Sand-Rite”.

I think it was “Sharon” who I talked to on the phone…she took a special trip to the warehouse for me to measure the height of the stand (37″ from the floor to the sanding surface on the bottom of the drum). Normally their minimum order on the abrasive sleeves is ten of each size and grit, but I told her I didn’t really know what I was doing, so she let me order just a couple. Phew.

Sand-Rite sells a bunch of differnt drum sizes and “coarser and finer grits are available on special order (prices on request).” I think I’ve given myself a large margin for error on this particular purchase.

I’m absolutely convinced that a pneumatic drum is a good move…the testimonials on the “Sand-Rite” website were from folks who made paddles, boomerangs, and duck decoys. What else is a cowboy boot or last, but a cross between a paddle, boomerang, and duck decoy?

I didn’t ask for the amount of the final bill…but I think with the stand, sleeves and shipping I squeaked in under $1,000.

I think I found a new sander. It meets the main criteria of fitting through the basement door. I’ll know more tomorrow when I can get someone on the phone. Stay tuned…