Replies

1. 
   2upchuck | Jun 19, 2008 07:38pm | #1

   I have a Jett 22-44 and I swear by it. Amazing how much it gets used.

2. 
   turp | Jun 20, 2008 04:23am | #2

   i have a woodmaster 26". it's a great machine. check out their web site. made in the usa. hook and loop paper is quick and easy to use and change. i work with tiger maple and usually have some tear out from the jointer or the planer but with the drum sander it's easy to sand out any dings. i use it every day. it's the best non essential tool in my shop. but it has become essential now that i have one. you'll see when you get yours. also woodmaster has a five year warranty and it is ruggedly made.

3. 
   bd | Jun 20, 2008 01:46pm | #3

   I've got the Jet/Performax. Would highly recommend going to the Woodmaster. I've got a friend with a Woodmaster. It's a much heavier duty machine. The Performax type sanders are all right for finishing, but you're not going to be able sand any rough spots or gouges out without an extreme dose of patience.

4. 
   RickL | Jun 20, 2008 02:26pm | #4

   For general sanding I would recommend a stroke sander over a drum sander.  More versatile and you can go right to finishing. A drum sander requires additional sanding to go to finishing.  Most folks  don't even know what a stroke sander is. Used, they are often the cost of scrap iron. Just because folks don't know about them doesn't mean they are obsolete.

   http://grizzly.com/products/Stroke-Sander/G5394

5. 
   kreuzie | Jun 22, 2008 02:16am | #5

   I have a Shop Fox 26" and LOVE it! I originally bought it to use on doors, but now I use it for practically any application. It's amazing how you can "sneak up" on a precise measurement or use it to get a component to fit perfectly.

   As with all drum sanders, the trick is to take light (1/2 turn= .0156 inches) passes.

   I have mine adjusted to within 0.002" difference in thickness between the right and left sides, over a width of 26".

    

    

    

1. 
   dgreen | Jun 22, 2008 02:56am | #6

   I'll add my voice to yours, I have the same sander and love it. Here's a few specs for the benefit of the OP.

   Product Features Motor size: 5 HP, 220V, 25 Amp, Single-phase, 3,450 RPMCapacity: 4-1/4" thick x 26" wideFeed rates: Variable (0-20 FPM)Conveyor motor: 1/3 HP, 2 Amp, universalConveyor table size: 26-1/8" x 30-1/4"Technical Details Dual drum with hook and loop sandpaper attachmentFootprint: 36-3/4" wide x 23-3/4" deepPower cord size: 10' x 12 AWGMinimum board length: 9"Minimum board thickness: 1/8"Surface speed of drums: 2,300 FPMTwo 6" x 27-3/4" aluminum drumsDual 4" dust portsAmp meter to indicate load, hinged hoodMicro-adjustable rear drumGiving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys. -- P.J. O'Rourke

   
1. 
   jjraybur | Jun 22, 2008 03:53am | #7

   Good, this gives me a few more to look at. I had only checked on the Powermatic and the Grizzly.

2. 
   kreuzie | Jun 22, 2008 05:57am | #8

   Thanks for providing the tool specs. Adds a bit of perspective.

   Also--- to anyone interested in buying a double drum sander...make sure that you have PLENTY of dust collection capacity!!

1. 
   dgreen | Jun 22, 2008 06:11am | #9

   My pleasure and amen to the dust collection advice!

   I have mine sent up like yours with 2thou difference in the drums. I was pleasantly surprised by the long life of the paper.Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys. -- P.J. O'Rourke

2. 
   saschafer | Jun 23, 2008 05:40pm | #10

   Funny you should mention that; I was going to ask about dust collection. So, assuming you have a veritable tornado of a dust collector attached, how much of the dust is collected? (Or, more importantly, how much is not collected?)

   -Steve

    

1. 
   dgreen | Jun 23, 2008 05:59pm | #11

   With a 3hp cyclone there is no perceptible missed dust.Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys. -- P.J. O'Rourke

6. 
   Y1RET | Jun 23, 2008 06:34pm | #12

   I have the Performx 22/44 and it works great. I have never used a storker or wide belt so I can’t say if they do a better job or not. I bought mine after using one in a class and the instructor  recommended it. He uses one in his production shop and says it gets daily heavy use. The comments about dust collection are true but it does not take a big unit because the dust is so fine it moves well through the system. Mine is currently hooked up to a Grizzly two bagger with a long run of flex hose and it works fine. I have found to get the best results you have to take very light passes. If I don’t try to take too much at a time I get great results. Small bumps, a ¼ turn is too much. I have used a rough grit paper to flatten wide panels and it works but takes lots of passes.  I like mine a lot, and it didn’t break the bank when I bought it.

    

   Just my .02,

   Bob T,  

     

1. 
   2upchuck | Jun 24, 2008 10:05pm | #13

   Cheers!!    What more can i say.  I have the same sander, and depending on the wood and width,  1/4 turn is usually pushin plenty. I did a large Wenge project with large panels ( 18 x 84 )  and that is like sanding steel plate lol.  Most everything else sands great. Like he said lil bites and patience.  There is always orbital after words to get rid of the directional lines left regardless of the grit ya use on final sanding. 

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jun 25, 2008 04:33pm | #14

   I have the 16/32 and really like it a lot.  Only problem I've encountered is with cherry - burns very easily.

   I then lightened the cut and turned up the speed dial which worked fairly well but required several passes to remove the burn marks.  All in all I'd say this issue exists with all of them though.

   Nice machine,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

7. 
   Nathan Barnard | Jun 27, 2008 04:17pm | #15

   Hi JJ, have you found the right sander yet? I have been looking at double drum sanders for a little while and see that there are several differences to be noted:

   several allow reversing sanding direction (climb-cut sanding) - not sure why one would need this?

   rubber coated steel drums verses aluminum drums vs velcro
   - most of the double drums have automatic adjusters to take slack out of belts as they stretch. Rubber coated seems more popular on larger models. Also, the heavier drums probably keep better momentum and dissipate heat better than aluminum.

   feed tables being machined cast iron and vs stamped steel - not sure how many DON'T have machined steel beds.

   I've been considering this one (B2022), but the shop fox looks impressive,too. I actually was able to look over the B2022 in person and was very impressed with the overall quality. Looks like a tool that would hold up well in a production shop.
   http://busybeetools.ca/cgi-bin/product10?&NMCLASS=00188&NSBCLASS=00320&NETID=0913430627081940331

   Nathan