Drum sanders any good?

Frank Howell · Joined: 25 Feb 2008 Posts: 4

In my shop, I have just about everything I need, but a drum sander. Can't
afford a wide belt. Many of the reviews that I can find on these are not
encouraging.
Anyone have positive experiences with drum sanders in $1000 dollar range?"
It looks like the Performax brand is now marketed under Jet. If so, is it
the same quality that was manufactured by Performax?

--
Frank Howell

Archived from group: rec>woodworking

randyswoodshoop · Joined: 24 Feb 2008 Posts: 7

On Feb 25, 9:30 am, "Frank Howell" wrote:
> In my shop, I have just about everything I need, but a drum sander. Can't
> afford a wide belt. Many of the reviews that I can find on these are not
> encouraging.
> Anyone have positive experiences with drum sanders in $1000 dollar range?"
> It looks like the Performax brand is now marketed under Jet. If so, is it
> the same quality that was manufactured by Performax?
>
> --
> Frank Howell

I have the small proformax sander and it does a great job on finish
sanding up to about 10" wide.
I dont like the the result when I use 60 or 80 grit and try to take
off alot.
But for finsh snading its great.
Randy
http://nokeswoodworks.com

Leon · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 967

"Frank Howell" wrote in message $0$5100$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
> In my shop, I have just about everything I need, but a drum sander. Can't
> afford a wide belt. Many of the reviews that I can find on these are not
> encouraging.
> Anyone have positive experiences with drum sanders in $1000 dollar range?"
> It looks like the Performax brand is now marketed under Jet. If so, is it
> the same quality that was manufactured by Performax?
>
> --
> Frank Howell
>

I have the 22" Performax, I don't see any reason to doubt the quality of the
rebadged Jet version.
It works great but you must realize that it has its limitations. It will
rethickness wood except about 5-10 times slower than the typical thickness
planer. I like to use mine to smooth a surface and or sneak up on a precise
thickness. You must use dust collection.
The larger 22" model Performax and "probably" the Jet have a feed speed
regulator. If you are feeding too fast it will automatically slow doe to a
more acceptable rate. This is a nice feature that probably has helped to
prevent stalls. Buy your paper in bulk rolls for about 1/3 the price of
precut rolls.

B A R R Y · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 441

Frank Howell wrote:
>
> Anyone have positive experiences with drum sanders in $1000 dollar range?"

I have been very happy with my Performax 22/44. I've also read some of
those reviews. The main I idea I saw is that some of the folks expected
the tool to require less operator skill than it does. Some of the much
more expensive tools probably don't require much skill, but...

Random thoughts:
- The sander is a finesse tool, it is not a thickness planer. Forcing
too heavy of a cut, too heavy of a cut with too fine a grit, failing to
properly guide it in or out, etc... May do as much damage as a router
mistake. 8^(
- I've sanded parts as large as 40" x 86" x 5/4 (a QSWO table top) and
a small as 3" x 3" x 1/8" (walnut panels). The table top required two
people, but with 15 seconds of adjustment, turned out great.
- I now use the sander on every part that won't be hand planed, as
well as some that will, as they come out of the thickness planer. I can
stop thickness planing a pass early and easily have tearout-free stock
ready for a single ROS pass for trim, or suitable smooth plane or
scraper for furniture.
- I've run 100's of feet of s4s red oak trim through it at 120 grit,
followed by a fast ROS pass, directly to a finish, with great results.
- It needs a good dust collector. I wouldn't even consider using one
without at least a 1200 CFM DC and unrestrictive ductwork.
- I don't like the optional in/outfeed tables. I got tired of futzing
with them and simply developed operator techniques to get great results.
I only bother to install the tables when doing long boards, simply as
a place to rest one end as I maneuver the board into place on the belt.
- Changing and replacing paper is easy after you do it once or twice,
there is a special tool that makes it easier. My sander included the
tool, but I don't think older or smaller models do the same.

My sander is on my short list of tools I'd replace in a minute if it
died tomorrow.

> It looks like the Performax brand is now marketed under Jet. If so, is it
> the same quality that was manufactured by Performax?

I have no idea, but Performax was a WMH (Jet's parent) when I bought my
22/44.

Frank Boettcher · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 153

On Mon, 25 Feb 2008 07:30:04 -0800, "Frank Howell"
wrote:

>In my shop, I have just about everything I need, but a drum sander. Can't
>afford a wide belt. Many of the reviews that I can find on these are not
>encouraging.
>Anyone have positive experiences with drum sanders in $1000 dollar range?"

I have an 18 X 36 Delta and it has really improved the speed and
quality of my panel sanding. Us it to clean up any glue up mismatch,
get to a flat panel, then go to the ROS for finish.

However, if you don't have dust collection you need to be able to take
it outside (what I do). It makes a lot of dust.

>It looks like the Performax brand is now marketed under Jet. If so, is it
>the same quality that was manufactured by Performax?

Performax was made in a US factory in Minnesota. WHM after purchasing
Performax,closed that facility, moved it to the far east and
eventually rebadged the brand to JET. It would be good to get opinions
from anyone who has used both versions. I have not.

Of course, my 18 x 36 was also made in the US and now it comes from
the far east.

Frank

Frank Howell · Joined: 25 Feb 2008 Posts: 4

Leon wrote:
> "Frank Howell" wrote in message
> $0$5100$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
>> In my shop, I have just about everything I need, but a drum sander.
>> Can't afford a wide belt. Many of the reviews that I can find on
>> these are not encouraging.
>> Anyone have positive experiences with drum sanders in $1000 dollar
>> range?" It looks like the Performax brand is now marketed under Jet.
>> If so, is it the same quality that was manufactured by Performax?
>>
>> --
>> Frank Howell
>>
>
> I have the 22" Performax, I don't see any reason to doubt the quality
> of the rebadged Jet version.
> It works great but you must realize that it has its limitations. It
> will rethickness wood except about 5-10 times slower than the typical
> thickness planer. I like to use mine to smooth a surface and or
> sneak up on a precise thickness. You must use dust collection.
> The larger 22" model Performax and "probably" the Jet have a feed
> speed regulator. If you are feeding too fast it will automatically
> slow doe to a more acceptable rate. This is a nice feature that
> probably has helped to prevent stalls. Buy your paper in bulk rolls
> for about 1/3 the price of precut rolls.

Thanks for the info. Does the smaller Performax, ie 16", have speed
regulator?

--
Frank Howell

Frank Howell · Joined: 25 Feb 2008 Posts: 4

randyswoodshoop wrote:
> On Feb 25, 9:30 am, "Frank Howell" wrote:
>> In my shop, I have just about everything I need, but a drum sander.
>> Can't afford a wide belt. Many of the reviews that I can find on
>> these are not encouraging.
>> Anyone have positive experiences with drum sanders in $1000 dollar
>> range?" It looks like the Performax brand is now marketed under Jet.
>> If so, is it the same quality that was manufactured by Performax?
>>
>> --
>> Frank Howell
>
> I have the small proformax sander and it does a great job on finish
> sanding up to about 10" wide.
> I dont like the the result when I use 60 or 80 grit and try to take
> off alot.
> But for finsh snading its great.
> Randy
> http://nokeswoodworks.com

Thanks for the feedback.

--
Frank Howell

George · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 409

"Frank Boettcher" wrote in message @4ax.com...
> On Mon, 25 Feb 2008 07:30:04 -0800, "Frank Howell"
> wrote:
>
>>It looks like the Performax brand is now marketed under Jet. If so, is it
>>the same quality that was manufactured by Performax?
>
> Performax was made in a US factory in Minnesota. WHM after purchasing
> Performax,closed that facility, moved it to the far east and
> eventually rebadged the brand to JET. It would be good to get opinions
> from anyone who has used both versions. I have not.
>

I have the US version, badged Performax, and have looked at the JET badge.
Fit and finish are somewhat less, but I really didn't see obvious crummies,
though I haven't had the best experience with Chinese motors.

Leon · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 967

"Frank Howell" wrote in message $0$1483$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
> Leon wrote:

>>>
>>
>> I have the 22" Performax, I don't see any reason to doubt the quality
>> of the rebadged Jet version.
>> It works great but you must realize that it has its limitations. It
>> will rethickness wood except about 5-10 times slower than the typical
>> thickness planer. I like to use mine to smooth a surface and or
>> sneak up on a precise thickness. You must use dust collection.
>> The larger 22" model Performax and "probably" the Jet have a feed
>> speed regulator. If you are feeding too fast it will automatically
>> slow doe to a more acceptable rate. This is a nice feature that
>> probably has helped to prevent stalls. Buy your paper in bulk rolls
>> for about 1/3 the price of precut rolls.
>
> Thanks for the info. Does the smaller Performax, ie 16", have speed
> regulator?

As I recall, no. The easiest way to tell on these models if they have an
automatic speed regulator is to look for a small Red LED light on the
control box close to the speed regulator switch. When the load is too much
the speed regulator slows down and the red light comes on.

Frank Howell · Joined: 25 Feb 2008 Posts: 4

Leon wrote:
> "Frank Howell" wrote in message
> $0$5100$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
>> In my shop, I have just about everything I need, but a drum sander.
>> Can't afford a wide belt. Many of the reviews that I can find on
>> these are not encouraging.
>> Anyone have positive experiences with drum sanders in $1000 dollar
>> range?" It looks like the Performax brand is now marketed under Jet.
>> If so, is it the same quality that was manufactured by Performax?
>>
>> --
>> Frank Howell
>>
>
> I have the 22" Performax, I don't see any reason to doubt the quality
> of the rebadged Jet version.
> It works great but you must realize that it has its limitations. It
> will rethickness wood except about 5-10 times slower than the typical
> thickness planer. I like to use mine to smooth a surface and or
> sneak up on a precise thickness. You must use dust collection.
> The larger 22" model Performax and "probably" the Jet have a feed
> speed regulator. If you are feeding too fast it will automatically
> slow doe to a more acceptable rate. This is a nice feature that
> probably has helped to prevent stalls. Buy your paper in bulk rolls
> for about 1/3 the price of precut rolls.

Never mind about smaller Jet having feed control, I found out it does.
Another question I forgot to ask, is about dust collection. When looking at
Grizzly sanders, found negative info on dust collection. How well does Jet
dust collection work in your opinion?

--
Frank Howell

jo4hn · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 69

Frank Howell wrote:
> Leon wrote:
>> "Frank Howell" wrote in message
>> $0$5100$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
>>> In my shop, I have just about everything I need, but a drum sander.
>>> Can't afford a wide belt. Many of the reviews that I can find on
>>> these are not encouraging.
>>> Anyone have positive experiences with drum sanders in $1000 dollar
>>> range?" It looks like the Performax brand is now marketed under Jet.
>>> If so, is it the same quality that was manufactured by Performax?
>>>
>>> --
>>> Frank Howell
>>>
>> I have the 22" Performax, I don't see any reason to doubt the quality
>> of the rebadged Jet version.
>> It works great but you must realize that it has its limitations. It
>> will rethickness wood except about 5-10 times slower than the typical
>> thickness planer. I like to use mine to smooth a surface and or
>> sneak up on a precise thickness. You must use dust collection.
>> The larger 22" model Performax and "probably" the Jet have a feed
>> speed regulator. If you are feeding too fast it will automatically
>> slow doe to a more acceptable rate. This is a nice feature that
>> probably has helped to prevent stalls. Buy your paper in bulk rolls
>> for about 1/3 the price of precut rolls.
>
> Never mind about smaller Jet having feed control, I found out it does.
> Another question I forgot to ask, is about dust collection. When looking at
> Grizzly sanders, found negative info on dust collection. How well does Jet
> dust collection work in your opinion?
>
I have the 16" Performax and use my Sears shop vacuum for dust
collection. Works much better than I thought it would. Very little
visible crud. An air filter picks up the rest of the airborne stuff.
mahalo,
jo4hn

Leon · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 967

"Frank Howell" wrote in message $0$1483$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
> Leon wrote:
>
> Never mind about smaller Jet having feed control, I found out it does.
> Another question I forgot to ask, is about dust collection. When looking
> at Grizzly sanders, found negative info on dust collection. How well does
> Jet dust collection work in your opinion?

Actually yes they all have speed control, IIRC not all have "automatic"
speed control, in case you have set the speed control to fast.

I use a Jet Pleated Element 1100 CFM dust collector. Dust is simply not an
issue when using the 22" drum sander or my 15" stationary planer. None,
zip.

dadiOH · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 250

Frank Howell wrote:
> Leon wrote:
>> "Frank Howell" wrote in message
>> $0$5100$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
>>> In my shop, I have just about everything I need, but a drum
>>> sander. Can't afford a wide belt. Many of the reviews that I can
>>> find on these are not encouraging.
>>> Anyone have positive experiences with drum sanders in $1000 dollar
>>> range?" It looks like the Performax brand is now marketed under
>>> Jet. If so, is it the same quality that was manufactured by
>>> Performax?
>>>
>>> --
>>> Frank Howell
>>>
>>
>> I have the 22" Performax, I don't see any reason to doubt the
>> quality of the rebadged Jet version.
>> It works great but you must realize that it has its limitations.
>> It will rethickness wood except about 5-10 times slower than the
>> typical thickness planer. I like to use mine to smooth a surface
>> and or sneak up on a precise thickness. You must use dust
>> collection.
>> The larger 22" model Performax and "probably" the Jet have a feed
>> speed regulator. If you are feeding too fast it will automatically
>> slow doe to a more acceptable rate. This is a nice feature that
>> probably has helped to prevent stalls. Buy your paper in bulk
>> rolls for about 1/3 the price of precut rolls.
>
> Thanks for the info. Does the smaller Performax, ie 16", have speed
> regulator?

Yes. At least it did when I bought my 16-32 around 11 years ago. It
isn't automatic though...I usually set it somewhere between 50% and
80% depending on what I am sanding (how wide, how hard).

A decent place for abrasive rolls is
http://www.econabrasives.com/index.mv?Screen=SFNT

As far as the sander goes, I wouldn't be without it. And get one
where the drum moves up and down (like Performax) not the table.
Reason? So you can build on some in/out rollers that will stay even
with the table...you need them for anything long or heavy.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

Lew Hodgett · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 399

"Frank Howell" wrote:
> In my shop, I have just about everything I need, but a drum sander.
> Can't afford a wide belt. Many of the reviews that I can find on
> these are not encouraging.
> Anyone have positive experiences with drum sanders in $1000 dollar
> range?"

Before I spent a "boat buc" ($1,000.00) on a drum sander, think I would see
if there are any commercial shops in your area.

The one I use charges $26 for the first 15 minutes and $1/minute there
after.

Most of my jobs are less than 20 minutes.

You have to sand a lot of wood to recover $1000.00 at those rates

Lew

Leon · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 967

"Lew Hodgett" wrote in message @corp.supernews.com...
>
> "Frank Howell" wrote:
>> In my shop, I have just about everything I need, but a drum sander.
>> Can't afford a wide belt. Many of the reviews that I can find on
>> these are not encouraging.
>> Anyone have positive experiences with drum sanders in $1000 dollar
>> range?"
>
> Before I spent a "boat buc" ($1,000.00) on a drum sander, think I would
> see if there are any commercial shops in your area.
>
> The one I use charges $26 for the first 15 minutes and $1/minute there
> after.
>
> Most of my jobs are less than 20 minutes.
>
> You have to sand a lot of wood to recover $1000.00 at those rates

Good point Lew. It takes a lot of sanding to warrant the expense. BUT!
having said that, it is invaluable for insuring small assemblies are of
uniform height. Back in December I was building 2 jewelry chests that had
24 drawers IIRC. To tweak for the perfect height spacing and fit I ran the
drawer assemblies in pairs to get exactly what I wanted, height wise. I am
finding more to do with the sander than the typical flattening or sanding of
a wide surface.

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