Replies

1. 
   bill_1010 | Mar 31, 2002 08:43pm | #1

   I think one of the other Woodworking zines just did a test on drum sanders, sorry wish i could remember the zine.

2. 
   tablesaw635 | Apr 01, 2002 02:39am | #2

   Howdy-

   I bought the Performax 16-32 about 9 months ago, and use it daily.  While I'm glad to own it, and it sure beats not having one (I barely ever get out the random orbit sander anymore!), in hindsight I'd have purchased a more aggressive machine-- I think Grizzly has a larger machine for about $1200 (I paid around $850 for the Performax) that seems to be more of what I need (anybody used it?)  On the plus side, changing sanding strips is quick and easy on the Performax, and it really excels at sanding small parts, cutting boards, etc.  However, I do have a lot of bigger panels & tabletops to do, and frankly, it just doesn't have the oomph to sand that stuff quickly.  I do use it a ton, but it doesn't have the speed I'd like for more aggressive thicknessing.

   I suppose it depends on what you want-- I don't mean to put down the Performax at all, and really do recommend it, but having used it for a while, I can see that I would've been better off buying a bigger machine for my professional shop (and I probably will later this year).  If you don't need to use it constantly, or aren't in a hurry to get stuff sanded quickly, then you might be well served by this level of machine.

   Good luck in your search,

   Chris Gleason

   Gleason Tableworks

   http://www.interestingfurniture.com

3. 
   bobzig | Apr 01, 2002 05:58pm | #3

   I bought the Delta back in December. I am happy with the machine and the performance. It does a great job and saves a ton of time.

   The only criticism I have about it is, right out of the box, the table alignment was messed up. The table would only move about two inches of adjustment. Once I got it aligned, it worked fine.

   In regards to this problem, if you attempt to adjust the table height to high (sand something thin), the table travels beyond the adjustment limits, and at that point is messed up. You have to completely realign the table height.

   Delta should have either put some sort of stops on the unit, or made the height adjustment exceed what would ever be needed by even a 1/8" to avoid this problem.

   The first time I had to realign it (right out of the box), it took nearly two hours because the instructions are not written very clearly. The second time when I went beyond the adjustment limits, it only took about a half hour.

   Now that I know the limits of the machine, I've had no problems at all. Once you get the hang of it, changing paper is pretty easy.

   I would recommend Delta despite the minor set backs that I had.

   B Zig