drum sander opinions

[rockkiller]

I'm thinking of getting a drum sander and have been looking at the jet mini 10 in.  http://www.amazon.com/628900-10-Inch-1-Horsepower-Benchtop-115-Volt/dp/B00020BNAO/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3M52UGOXTBGB5&coliid=I1TC3PSAIRJ9L1.    
   I like the idea of the open end so you can do up to 20 in,but wonder if because of the open end it wont stay true?
   Has anyone had experience with this sander and what are your opinions on it?


Thanks for any help
Al

[Bowjunkie]

They all have open sides and are built to grind a consistant thickness across their width with normal feed pressure. I have a 16" Delta and it is right on the money. No cause for concern there. Even if it did go out of adjustment, the table can be leveled again. I've ground a bunch of stuff on mine and never had an issue. I dont have any experience with that Jet model... but Jet makes pretty good tools too. I wouldnt worry about it.

[Canadabowyer]

I have the Performax 10-20(looks exactly like the Jet) and is has served me well for more than 5 years.   It is easily adjustable and does make very accurate lams. You can't use it as a planer to hog off lots of wood, you must take shallow cuts to get good accuracy. Once you develop good working practices with it, its all good. Bob

[tenbrook]

The open end drum sanders are prone to flex and give less accurate results.

Get this:  http://www.grizzly.com/products/12-Baby-Drum-Sander/G0459?gcsct=0ChMIwI2W2Le1vAIVqe1ECh0KTQAAEAE

[Roy from Pa]

I was not crazy about the open side for the same reason Cody mentioned, so I bought this one and love it. 12" 1.5 HP.

   http://www.grizzly.com/products/12-Baby-Drum-Sander/G0459

[Roy from Pa]

I didn't have the dust collector nozzle on it yet here.

 

[bornofmud]

Anyone know if the issue with the conveyer belt has been fixed on the new baby drum sanders?  That was what I was planning on getting, but the reviews kind of scared me off.  Course, most of those reviews seem to be from around 2008-2010, so it may have been fixed?

[LittleBen]

Originally posted by tenbrook:
The open end drum sanders are prone to flex and give less accurate results.

Get this:   http://www.grizzly.com/products/12-Baby-Drum-Sander/G0459?gcsct=0ChMIwI2W2Le1vAIVqe1ECh0KTQAAEAE  

I've never used either type, so this is purely speculation, but I really wonder how much flex we
re talking about. It seems like something that could be easily fixed through proper design. With that said, if you're not trying to sand down tabletops, I don;'t know what advantage the open end design really gets you.

[Roy from Pa]

Kenny M told me about the seam a few months ago. I can not find a seam on my conveyer belt anywhere. I got my drum sander this past December.

[Buemaker]

http://www.supermaxtools.com/products-sanders/wood-supermax-19-38-drum-sander/
As far as open end sanders go, I beleive this is as good as it gets. Too bad the voltage is "wrong". Bue--.

[tenbrook]

Originally posted by bornofmud:
Anyone know if the issue with the conveyer belt has been fixed on the new baby drum sanders?  That was what I was planning on getting, but the reviews kind of scared me off.  Course, most of those reviews seem to be from around 2008-2010, so it may have been fixed?

Yes.       They also now sell a conversion kit for the older models.  Those little Baby Drum Sanders are BEASTS!

I now run this:  http://www.grizzly.com/products/24-Drum-Sander-w-VS/G1066Z

[Mike Mecredy]

I like the grizzly, I have 2 of them.

[bornofmud]

Originally posted by tenbrook:
Yes.        They also now sell a conversion kit for the older models.  Those little Baby Drum Sanders are BEASTS!

I now run this:   http://www.grizzly.com/products/24-Drum-Sander-w-VS/G1066Z  

That's just what I wanted to hear!  Now I just have to get the money together haha.  And that thing is intense! Might have to come check it out one of these days!

[Cootling]

I've checked out the Supermax at Tool Crib.  Very impressive unit.  I wish I could afford one!

[Buemaker]

Is this a good machine?
 http://www.woodmasterdrumsanders.com/2675

[bornofmud]

For $3,000 it darn well better be!

[rockkiller]

Originally posted by bornofmud:
For $3,000 it darn well better be!

X2  

[Roy from Pa]

Go for it Bue Boy:)

[bamboo]

the drum speed is 750 rpm--I've never seen one that slow---I do like the idea of closed end machine---
if you're making lams and truing up riser pieces for the money its hard to beet the baby drum--if your jobs include cabinet faces and any stock wider than 12" you need more machine

[Buemaker]

Yes, I noticed the 750 rpm also, but the sanding drum is 6" diameter so I figure the drums surface speed would be evened out some compared to the Jet, Delta, supermax and others who have a 5" diameter drum  even if they turn faster. There is so much nice and a variety of woodworking machinery at your side of the pond at much lower prices than what we pay over here, much larger marked is a reason I figure. The problem with importing a machine is the voltage difference between USA and most of Europe. Bue--.