To all:
I’m looking for some feedback on 12” Drum Sanders. Shop Fox price is $ 633.00 plus tax and Grizzly has theirs on sale for $495.00 plus tax. I read that the same person owns both companies but I do not know if they are the same quality. In their respective catalog they both have the same specifications and look identical. I do own tools from both companies and they both perform great. Your insight is greatly appreciated.
thank you
Replies
I've got the little Jet 10-20 and love it. Especially when I get into some nasty grained or figured lumber that likes to tear out on the planer. The newer model is much easier to change the paper on, since they lengthened the shaft on the motor end.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
I read before that people had problems with an open end sander. Is your machine pretty tight to the point that when you sand both ends come out the same thickness ( the width way). have yoou had good luck when sanding a board wider thatn the 10' width, say maybe 18" wide
I have mine pretty well tweeked in and have run 14" glue ups through it with no "divots" in the middle. But normally only run about 8" boards. When you do run wide stock, extra care should be taken to crease the strip paper to a crisp 90 degree bend where it goes into the clamp on the outboard side so you don't get a rolling over bump.Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
I have a 16/32 Performax and don't know I got along with out it. Today I sanded 28 boards 10" wide x 48" long. Checking with micrometers, the variation from side to side was .007". I too looked at the Grizzley and others but finally decided on the performax. I thought 12 " was a bit too small. Most everything I make can be handled with the 16" capability. I would check out the Performax before you make a final decision. You might find a local supplier that has one set up and can give you a demonstration.
I too have the Performax 16/32. It works well and I would recommend it. I've seen one guy's description of re-engineering the adjusting screw used to bring the drum parallel with the bed. Making the "mouth" close is easy enough but the reverse is not a precision operation. Never-the-less I would still buy it again. Pictures of the Jet drum sanders appear to be identical to the Performax 16/23. Did Jet (WMH) buy Performax?
You got it, Performax sanders just have a new lable.Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
I do like the feature of sanding wider pieces with an open end sander. Rockler has Performax on display and they also have a demo area. Does this site answer questions about staining and finishing furniture. Thank you
Sure does, Go to the left column and scroll down till you hit FINISHING and start a new post. Or do an advanced search for your question.Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
thanks bruce
When I got mine I followed the instruction manuel for adjusting the arm so it is dead parallel with the platen. I then ran a 15" wide piece of plywood through and measured with mics. and got a variation of .008" and this is well within their spec of .010" I check it occassionaly and it stays just about the same. Don't know why one would need to change the mechanism, unless you constantly want to adjust if for one reson or another. If you are going to use it for boards wider than 16" I would want the open end to sand the wood a few thousands larger so you don't dig in at the outboard edge.
Yes
Just to pile on, I have the Performax 22/44. It is model that looks like the 16/32 only larger. It works very well. I went with the larger mode because you can sand most panels in one pass. The arm is very easy to adjust and mine has not slipped since it was set up. A very good machine. I use the Jet paper and have not had any problems with it slipping once I learned how to install it. It took a trip back to Woodcraft to understand how to grab the paper with the inside clamp. Once I understood whit I was trying to do it works well.
The only trick to using it is to make small adjustments as you are making multiple passes. Very small. Just bump the adjustment wheel between passes. Even a ΒΌ turn can be too much.
I don’t know about the Grizzly / Shop Fox machines, but I do like the Performax. I bought mine for $900 on sale at Wood Craft and the extra capacity seems to be worth the extra money.
Thanks for your input,
Does Jet now make Peformax?
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