Replies

1. 
   SCFrankland | Oct 22, 2004 04:37pm | #1

   I have the Delta X5 18/36 sander I have not problems with it. I have sanded 130+ table tops with it so far and it has worked great. The extra few dollars where worth it for me as it came with a free tool offer (I got the mobile base) and a coupon book which I got a few new batteries for my 19.2 gear. The only thing I would like to change is the to build a bigger out feed table but some day I am sure that I will build one.

   Scott C. Frankland

   Scott's WOODWORKING Website

   "He who has the most tools may not win the race of life but he will sure make his wife look like a good catch when she goes to move on."

1. 
   bones | Oct 22, 2004 05:00pm | #2

   Do you ever sand small thin stock like figured lumber for small projects?

1. 
   SCFrankland | Oct 22, 2004 05:28pm | #3

   I have sanded some 1/4" mahogany and some birds eye maple for a cradle I have to build. The birds eye was sanded from rough lumber to finished thickness. I haven't sanded a lot of small stuff yet as I haven't had the machine for that long yet but for what I have run through it it has done a top notch job. Mind you it is not a thickness planer by any means.Scott C. Frankland

   Scott's WOODWORKING Website"He who has the most tools may not win the race of life but he will sure make his wife look like a good catch when she goes to move on."

1. 
   bones | Oct 22, 2004 05:47pm | #4

   "The birds eye was sanded from rough lumber to finished thickness." 

   Did you do this with the 31-250? I am looking to use my bandsaw to cut figured wood down to thinner dimensions and feed through a sander. I would hope to remove the blade marks. Finish sanding would be done by hand or Orbital sanders. 

1. 
   jcousins | Oct 22, 2004 05:53pm | #5

   i use a 22/44 perfomax to sand out the blade marks on bandsaw cut veneers - 5/64's. suggest you use a sled to carry the pieces through. i did not when i first started and did some damage to the feeder belt/surface.jerry

2. 
   bones | Oct 22, 2004 06:03pm | #6

   Thanks, for the info. How do you attach to the sled? Tape, or some type of adhesive spray?

3. 
   DonC | Oct 22, 2004 06:15pm | #7

   Just attach a cleat to the end of the carrier. Use plywood or solid wood with the grain running the same direction as the veneer you are sanding.

   You can do the same thing on your planer if you use a carrier. The planer will get you closer to thickness quicker and then switch to the drum sander.

4. 
   jcousins | Oct 22, 2004 06:19pm | #8

   yep that's what i do - i use a piece of 3/4 melamine - attach a cleat just proud of the surface - (back end) - let the veneer butt up to it as it passes through the sander.jerry

5. 
   SCFrankland | Oct 22, 2004 10:22pm | #9

   I started off with 1" and sanded it down to 3/4" with the sander. But I two use a sled to carry small pieces through the sander or planner.Scott C. Frankland

   Scott's WOODWORKING Website"He who has the most tools may not win the race of life but he will sure make his wife look like a good catch when she goes to move on."

2. 
   Telemike | Oct 23, 2004 06:10am | #10

   Bones, I like to veneer with sawcut veneer and I use the drum sander all of the time to smooth and thickness curly, burly, and, sometimes, just cantankerous wood. When I'm cutting sheets from a block of wood (usually several blocks at a time), I flatten the cut surface of the block after cutting away each sheet of veneer. I get 4 - 5 sheets from each 4/4 block, 6 or so from 6/4, etc. I like to use veneer just thinner than 1/16th inch.

   When I've cut all of my sheets, I use a sled to flatten and thickness the sheets in my drum sander. It's easy since one side is already flat. There's no better way to flatten unruly veneers.

   I've seen a post on some forum or another where the poster removed the feed belt on his drum sander and stuck a piece of formica to the top of the platten with 2-sided tape, then put the belt back on. After this, his drum sander would sand just below 1/16th inch, right where I like veneer. I've yet to try this, but I may soon with the very expensive (don't tell the spouse!) quilted maple I just got UPS!

   Whichever drum sander you buy, you'll have to learn its strengths and weaknesses and how to work around the weaknesses. It's a great tool for thicknessing wood that planes and planers just don't get along with.

1. 
   bones | Oct 23, 2004 04:05pm | #11

   Thanks for the reply. What you just explained and others is what i'm looking for. I have been looking at this for some time. I now have a good band saw that can do the job.  I liked the performax, but the Delta X5 looks good and they have a good deal going. After looking all over the Web and reading all the comments I think I'm going to go with the X5. It's funny, you find comments from buyers of both the Performax & Delta that are at both ends of the spectrum. It ranges from the greatest thing since sliced bread to a total piece of junk. I think for both the performax and the delta it's about knowing capabilities .vs. your expectations. I never would expect this to be used to thickness plane wood, so that is not an expectation. Thanks to everyone who posted, and thanks for the tips on the sled to pass the veneer through. Well let's go spend a little jingle and help the economy. 

1. 
   OneofmanyBobs | Oct 24, 2004 02:36am | #12

   I use my Delta mostly for sanding thin stock.  It does not need a backer board down to about .080 or so.  Thinner than that, the drum will start rubbing on the belt.  I'm happy enough with mine.  Its not a multi-thousand dollar machine.  I think it was a reasonable value for the money.  The belt tracking can be touchy.  You can't walk away and leave it run.  You have to watch it.  It isn't all that hard to stall so you can't take a heavy cut, but it isn't supposed to.  Needs a good dust collector.  Also, I didn't really like the Delta brand sandpaper strips.  They make deeper scratches than I expected.  I cut my own strips and they seem to be a little smoother.   I've gotten a lot of use from mine with no major complaints.

2. 
   DJK | Oct 24, 2004 06:35pm | #13

   Purchase a Woodmaster and you won't be sorry. I had 2 Performax sanders and dumped them for the Woodmaster, have pitty on the poor guys that now have them. Woodweb had/has a couple listed for sale.

   DJK

1. 
   bones | Oct 24, 2004 07:36pm | #14

   Do you do WW for a living and what is your application in using them? I am a hobbyist and have seen so many views + & - on both the delta and performax.  The woodmaster looks good but the cost! It's hard to justify that kind of investment for an occasional use. I did not get the delta yesterday (it was hard to pass up the deal). It was one of those cases of it just did not feel right. I'll go check out woodweb.