Replies

1. 
   RickL | Dec 22, 2006 12:36am | #1

   Haven't used that particular one but have used just about every type of sander out there.

   My question to you is what do you want the sander to do? You looking for general finish sanding or you looking for something to actually thickness say cutting boards?I have several options for recommendations of machines depending on  your needs. This is based on 35 years in the industry with factories and small custom shops. The drum sander isn't alwayus the best way to go and neither is the widebelt. The stroke sander might be just what you want. You can go right to finishing from a stroke sander. A drum sander will not give you a finished surface ready for stain. You must random orbit sand to get a suitable surface. Stroke sanders are a lot cheaper and don't need nearly the same electrical power and belts are relatively cheap and a lot faster to change grits than a drum sander. Velcro paer does tend to roll the edges.

   
   

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   Edited 12/21/2006 5:07 pm ET by RickL

1. 
   user-57280 | Dec 22, 2006 02:32am | #2

   I guess I am looking to sand faceframes and raised panels and to general finish sand wood.  I understand I will have to random orbit sand after the drum sander, but I am looking to flaten and smooth things up a bit.  Thanks for the input you have given me.  I've had a wookworking shop for 10 yrs, and am a carpenter by trade.  I just never owned a drum sander yet.  I have always taken stuff to a local cabinet shop to use there widebelt sander. 

    

   Trevor

    

1. 
   RickL | Dec 22, 2006 03:31pm | #3

   Look at the stroke sanders at Grizzly, Minimax, Woodworkers Supply, etc. Less than half the money, belts are cheaper and it will do what you need and eliminate the need for ROS. Less power requirements and when you add up the number in time saved from ROS sanding and such you will be far ahead of the game. Even when we had a widebelt we always kept a stroke sander around. I've even put them in metal shops. Very versatile machines that have been sort of forgotten. Drum sanders are very low on my list of machines for a shop.

1. 
   user-57280 | Dec 22, 2006 08:26pm | #4

   Thanks for all your input and info.  That helps my decision.

    

   Trevor