Replies

1. 
   gizmo2006 | Feb 14, 2005 04:46pm | #1

   My good friend purchased a 22-44 about a week after I purchased my 16-32. His stand has built in wheels. The stand also has a door and shelves for storage. It's a great deal. Sure beats building your own cabinet/stand. Both the 6-32 and the 22-44 do a great job.

   Delbert

2. 
   RobbyP | Feb 16, 2005 07:43am | #2

   Hi Bill,

   I own the Performax 22/44 and I love it.  You will find though that these machines have a very bad following.  Most folks have nothing good to say about them but I wonder how many have actually tried one or know how to use it.  I really do like mine and would recommend it.

   I will say this that it is slow, but the finish is great and it is really nice for flattening large panel glue ups.  (I.e. raised panel doors/table tops)

   I would also say that the extra cost is worth it to purchase the 22/44 rather then the 16/32.  That extra 6 inches is really nice.

   Hope that helps and take care,

   Robby Phelps RP Custom Woodworks

1. 
   BArnold | Feb 16, 2005 12:22pm | #5

   Thanks for your input so far, everyone.  I'm still waffling on whether to get the 22-44 or 16-32 because of my space problem -- everything has to fit in my half of our 2-car garage.  I have a roll-around cabinet that I will put it on -- no room to stash another stand.  The top of my cabinet is 24x34, so the 16-32 will fit comfortably; the 22-44 will hang over a little bit.

   The cost difference makes it attractive to lean toward the 22-44, especially since it's available without a stand.  If I get the 16-32, it only comes with the stand and I'd have to get rid of it or store it for some future mega-shop.

   Seems that most of what I've heard about these machines is positive unless it's from someone who most likely crowds them.  I let my machines do the work for me, so I don't have any issues with stuff burning up.  Primary use will be cleaning up resaw for veneer panels and to prep inlay.

   Thanks again.

   Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting Click Here if you're interested in a good,inexpensive website host.

   Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

1. 
   Lilshaver | Feb 16, 2005 09:13pm | #6

   I have the 16-32. It does a good job but is slow. If I had it to do over, I'd get the bigger machine.Jeff

3. 
   damschrs | Feb 16, 2005 08:57am | #3

   BIll,

   I have the Performax 25" Shop Pro. It's a well built machine. I know it's not the 22/44, but the manufacturing and durability is very good and it seems to hold up well. Performance is exceptional. I'm not sure why people would bad mouth these machines, but I haven't had any trouble.

   I would recommend the stand though. It's a well built stand. Very sturdy and easy to move around, unless that puts it's cost out of the justification range.

   Just some thoughts on the brand and machines in general. thnx
   scottd.

    

   scottd
   Damschroder Scott Furniture
   [email protected]

   A craftsman needs three things: Accuracy, Technique, and Quality. Accuracy can be set; technique can be learned; but quality must be bought and built.

4. 
   dondownunder | Feb 16, 2005 10:22am | #4

   Bill

   I've had my 22/44 for around 10 years. It is basically a good machine if used for what it was designed for (like most things - but when did we start reading instructions).

   I have used it with very coarse belts to thickness plane recycled timber (due to nails etc) & with fine grits for near finishing. I have found that I can finish sand door panels for instance with a belt sander quicker than my apprentice can using the 22/44 & a random orbit, but I've been doing it a lot longer than him & I don't need to go to the gym afterwards. He can get a better job with the 22/44 - ROS combination than the belt sander so that's fine by me.

   I got rid of the stand & mounted the table unit onto a cabinet, allowing the head to rise & fall so that the in & outfeed tables are a constant height above the floor.  This of course allows extensions to be set at a given height & left.

   I also ditched the micro vee pulleys & replaced them with a 6" taperlock cast iron double A on the top & 4" ali on the bottom, which gives a fly wheel effect & certainly helps reduce the motor bog down, a problem I had from the begining. I also have a factory fitted 2HP motor as mine is badged as an Inca (made by Performax), I think the branded Performax units have a 1.5.

   Some minor niggles have occurred, one is keeping the feed belt tracking properly (ongoing) & another was a fault in the feed drive. This was relatively simple to fix - so much so that I don't remember much except that while I fixed it, I listened to the football, drank a couple of coldies & chatted to a friend who just happened to hear a can being opened at 2 miles & dropped in.

   I think that if I was starting out again I may lean towards a stroke sander but if you are regularly finishing timber longer than 7-8" ft then a drum or wide belt is the direction to head in.

   Don 

5. 
   radrays | Feb 16, 2005 09:49pm | #7

   Bill

   I bought the 16-32 from Northwest Power tools and have been real happy with it.  They are selling it for $799 and free shipping.  I talked to Mac there and he was very helpful. 

1. 
   BArnold | Feb 16, 2005 11:51pm | #8

   Rad,

   Thanks for the info.  Is yours a new unit or refurbished?  Did it come with the box of four additional abrasive strips and the one mounted on the machine?

   Regards,

   Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting Click Here if you're interested in a good,inexpensive website host.

   Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

1. 
   radrays | Feb 17, 2005 02:21am | #9

   Bill

   It was a new unit and did come with 80 grit on the machine and a box of assorted grits.  It also came with the stand.  I ordered an additional box of 120 grijt and that is what I have been using.  I considered the 22-44, but for the price I went with the 16-32.  I have made some panel doors since I got it and it is great for sanding the  inserts.  I have used it quite a bit, since I have made an entertainment center since I got it and sure saved me some work.

2. 
   CharlieP | Feb 17, 2005 07:59am | #10

   After a couple years of satisfactory use, my feed belt started to self-destruct... a $60 item.  Yikes.  The cost of a wider feed belt every couple years might be a small consideration. 

   I find that I use primarily 150 or 180 grit - I use the jointer/planer for more wood removal, and the 220 grit burns and fills too easily.  I still need a quick hit with a ROS after even the 220 sanding.

   Check out http://www.sandpaperworks.com - I get 150 foot rolls for $55 postpaid - more than 21 "fills" on my 16-32, so less than $3 each.  Performax price is about $8 each

   Good luck with your decision.

    ________________________Charlie Plesums  Austin, Texashttp://www.plesums.com/wood

1. 
   BArnold | Feb 17, 2005 03:01pm | #11

   Charlie,

   Thanks for the lead on sandpaper.  I've got a quote from Klingspor for about the same amount.  I'll check out the other site as well.

   After considering the 22-44 for the relatively small cost difference, I ordered the 16-32.  The smaller unit will perform all the work I have planned for it and, as you pointed out, some of the replacement costs are lower.

   Interesting what you said about the grits you use.  I was already planning to stop at 180 with the machine.  In general, I prefer to start block sanding at 220 and work through 320 that way.

   Best Regards,

   Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting Click Here if you're interested in a good,inexpensive website host.

   Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.