Based on some recommendations from folks here, I chose the Performax over the Delta. Picked it up Saturday from Post/Abbey Tools, and so far I’m very pleased. Had prepared myself for it to be a very light wood removal machine, but have been pleasantly surprised. For what I intend to use it for, it seems to be an excellent choice.
Had some cupped and gouged Katalox that I wanted to surface down and turn into the sole of some wooden planes I’m making. Jointer and planer tear this wood up something awful. Using multiple passes, the performax rendered it very flat and smooth as a babies bottom. Very nice.
Lot’s of adjustment features on the machine, allow it to be set up with impressive precision. Dust collection works very well with a single run open from my 1.5 hp two stage collector. Runs fairly quiet too, which is also appreciated.
Thanks to those who recommend this model to me.
Regards,
John
Replies
I've got one of these and if you don't expect a workhorse it'll serve you well. I've found that for wide pieces the motor really lugs along and you have to remove stock very, very slowly.
Here are a few tips:
1. Pay very close attention to the tracking of the sandpaper bed. It wants to go to one side or the other, and if it goes too far it'll catch and rip itself apart. You will need to keep adjusting it ... it'll go one way, then the other, etc. Replacing the sandpaper bed isn't difficult but you're out of business until you do so. And it's not cheap ...
2. Never sand newly glued wood unless you're using very coarse paper. If you try to sand wood with glue visible on top and the paper is somewhat fine you'll destroy the paper ... it'll gum up and start burning the wood.
3. If you need to sand down stock that is fairly thin already, say one of those pre-made fancy veneer strips, it's easier to do so by laying it on top of a much wider and longer piece that you use as a "bed". Run them both through together and you'll be amazed at how well this goes.
All in all, I like my Performax, but if I had it to do over again I'd spend the extra money for a machine that was significantly more powerful. But I need, on occasion, to sand pieces that take up the full 16 inch width and stress the machine when doing so.
John
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