Drum Sanders

[C. Johnson]

So, I have a little tax return money coming my way and I want to invest in a proper drum sander. I've been using a shop built attachment to my spindle sander.  It works fine, but I'm getting to a point where I need to invest in a better piece of equipment to grind lams with.

In my non-bow building life, I'm a licensed plumber.  I've learned over the years to never skimp on tools (or work boots).  Buy something good and cry once.

My thoughts at this point are that I'll go one of two ways.

Option 1: Jet 10-20. Woodcraft has this machine for about$775. Since I doubt I'll do much more than grind lams with it, the small size might not be an issue. But, I can't help but feel like I'm at the Ford dealership looking at a new F150.

I'm thinking, "Well, this is probably plenty of truck".

But my gut is telling me, "Don't be a chicken ass". Buy the F350 with the turbo diesel. "You won't regret the extra capability and room to grow in the future".

That leads me to option 2. The performax 16-32.  Probably more than I "need", but is a lot more substantial piece of equipment. The price is quite a bit higher though. I'm thinking it's probably worth it.

I might consider something from Grizzly, but, to be honest, Grizzly seems like something from Harbor Freight compared to Jet tools.  I may be wrong though.

I'd love to have some input from other guys making 15-20 bows a year and looking to expand a little.

So, what do you guys think?

[kennym]

I have several Grizzly tools and can't compare them to Harbor freight , or Delta but the Jet 10-20 weighs in at 96 # and the Griz 10" weighs in at 220# so either she's built or just fat!      .

Of 2 bandsaws and 2 tablesaws I've had from Griz, the fences were dead on for ripping on all of them.

They are built pretty heavy built and I have run some of them for several years without much problem.

So with no experience with Jet, I didn't help you much, but I know guys like them too.  

[Forwardhandle]

I have the Performax 22-44 I love it had it for a lot of years now its worked flawless had the Delta before and hated it , it would go out of adjustment a lot !

[C. Johnson]

I have to admit the Grizzly G0458 is tempting. Hmmm.  

[Jsmith74]

I have the grizzly 10 in. I bought it when it first came out and it was under $300. A very heavy well-built machine. The only issue is it's a little difficult changing paper but I think they have that worked out now. Otherwise it's a fantastic machine. I use 35 grit on the drum which takes down material extremely fast and leaves a really rough surface for gluing

[Roy from Pa]

I've had the G0459 for 3 years and have had no problems with it.

[Forwardhandle]

I only bought the wide drum for panels & counter tops if Your only griding lams I think you could get by with a much narrower head  I have only used mine for parallel core lams so far but nice to have the width for honey dews & other projects !

[Buemaker]

https://www.supermaxtools.com/products/wood/19-38-drum-sander-71938-d/
When it comes to open end sanders I believe this is as good as it gets, a bit expensive though

[skeaterbait]

Originally posted by C. Johnson:
I have to admit the Grizzly G0458 is tempting. Hmmm.      

I have a G0458 that I bought used. The number one complaint I have about it is that is does not have pressure rollers, they are pressure plates. That being said, the more I thinker with it the more I feel they work "ok" but having the money to spend again I would get one with rollers.

The other side of that is that it's an 18" sander that can do upwards of 36", which I have used it for and it does a fine job as long as you don't try to eat too much all at once. Use multiple light passes and it does a great job.

Grizzly has it on sale right now for $675, down from $895, that's a pretty good sale.

After just messing with mine I would have to say get the most accurate one...  You are dealing with thousandths of an inch...  I would stay away from open end sanders... You don't need an open end for sanding lams anyway...

[Roy from Pa]

I would stay away from open end sanders... You don't need an open end for sanding lams anyway..

X's 2

[Roy from Pa]

All ya need for a 2 inch wide lam.

 

[C. Johnson]

Thank you, everyone, for your input.

Can anyone recommend a good closed end drum sander?

[kennym]

I run this one in my shop, it is a workhorse. May be more than you need and it takes an air supply to run....

 http://www.grizzly.com/products/18-Wide-Belt-Sander-5-HP-Single-Phase/G0527?utm_campaign=zPage&utm_source=grizzly.com

[Jsmith74]

Grizzly G0716
Almost 300# but it comes on a nice stand with wheels and handles to move it around easily.it is a closed end but you can make it open to do 20" if needed. 1.5 hp which is nice and overpowered for only 10"

[Forwardhandle]

Thats a sweet machine Kenny last a life time !

[C. Johnson]

Originally posted by kennym:
I run this one in my shop, it is a workhorse. May be more than you need and it takes an air supply to run....

  http://www.grizzly.com/products/18-Wide-Belt-Sander-5-HP-Single-Phase/G0527?utm_campaign=zPage&utm_source=grizzly.com  

Thanks Kenny!

Truthfully, this is more than I can manage right now financially, but, dang that would be nice!

Do you lubricate the bearings with pure testosterone?    

Ha ha ha....  All the tools in my shop don't add up to that price...  Some of my stuff is a notch above third world engineering... But it works and can be very accurate...    

[Roy from Pa]

LOL Craig. If he did the bearings would dry up..  

[kennym]

Originally posted by C. Johnson:
 

Originally posted by kennym:
I run this one in my shop, it is a workhorse. May be more than you need and it takes an air supply to run....

   http://www.grizzly.com/products/18-Wide-Belt-Sander-5-HP-Single-Phase/G0527?utm_campaign=zPage&utm_source=grizzly.com  

Thanks Kenny!

Truthfully, this is more than I can manage right now financially, but, dang that would be nice!

Do you lubricate the bearings with pure testosterone?      [/b]

Ha, actually that is the only thing I don't like about the machine. (Besides initial cost)

It has greasable bearings, so you have to watch how much you give it.