Replies

1. 
   mrbird90 | Jan 02, 2006 05:50am | #1

   I guess it depends on what you want to spend. I just purchased a 16/32 Performax sander for around $800.00 including a couple of boxes of sandpaper. Just finished making 5 large drawers 29"w x 20"d x 8"h and used the sander to remove all the planer marks that were left after taking the glue ups down to 5/8". Left about .040" to remove and it took two passes per side and did a fine job. The stock removal was very uniform from side to side and the 120 grit left a good finish. Over the 8" width there was less than .005" variation.  No need for further sanding. Because of the cantilever design of the sander I would not want to pass 8' or 10 foot long boards through as it might deflect the arm. This sander is great for shorter work and appears to do a nice job. It appears to be well built and is easy to change paper. Took me about 4 minutes the first time, as I wanted to replace the 80 grit that was on it as this was a floor model I purchased. I looked at the grizzly 16" at their show room and it looked very poorly made, the handles were difficult to turn and the threaded rods were not a good finish etc. At $700.00 plus shipping it was very tempting. This Performax is designed for a one man shop, I don't feel it would do the real high stock removal required by high production shops. Hope these comments help. I will be glad to answer any questions you have. Make sure you have a good dust collector as it creates a ton of fine dust.

1. 
   Barrie2777 | Jan 02, 2006 11:36pm | #5

   Certainly the use of support roller stands would eliminate any arm deflection when sanding long stock.

1. 
   Kleck | Jan 03, 2006 12:15am | #6

   The deflection the previous poster was mentioning in the smaller unit has nothing to do with stock support. It has to do with the amount of rigidity in the mechanism supporting the head.

   Edited 1/2/2006 4:18 pm ET by Spike2

1. 
   Barrie2777 | Jan 03, 2006 01:33am | #7

   What is your opinion on these open sided sanders? Performax made a larger closed ended sander but I think it is no longer in production.

1. 
   Kleck | Jan 03, 2006 01:51am | #8

   I haven't got the Performax yet, but I've read countless opinions on them. I think the 22-44 will work for me, knowing not to expect too fast or deep of a pass, like a commercial unit. these units seem to be geared toward the hobbyist, but that type of duty should be fine for me.

2. 
   RickL | Jan 02, 2006 06:31pm | #2

   You might consider a stroke sander. Certainly more versatile than a drum sander in a small shop. Been using all kinds of sanders over 35 years and in the big shops we always had a stroke sander and a widebelt. Very affordable tool. Minimax, Grizzly etc sells them but I guarantee that most hobbyist woodworkerswdon't know about stroke sanders. Excellent for veneer work. The famed marquetarian Silas Kopf has a stroke sander in his shop.

1. 
   Barrie2777 | Jan 02, 2006 09:04pm | #3

   Yes, I didn't concider this machine. A little more floor space consumed and not as mobile, but certainly a good option. Thanks

3. 
   Sawdust9 | Jan 02, 2006 09:13pm | #4

   I just purchased the Performax 22-44 drum sander for a hobby shop that I share with my son. So far I am pleased with it's performance, but I haven't used it heavily. The largest material I have sanded is 12", but I have a desk I'm working on that will use the larger capacity.  It is more expensive, but in some forum reviews there were complaints of head deflection with the 16-32. Perhaps they were just trying to take too large a pass at the material, it's not a planer. I purchased it on Amazon with the closed base stand and tables for around $1,200. It is a little slower than I anticipated and as mentioned does require a good DC system. At this point I would purchase the same machine again.

4. 
   yieldmap | Jan 03, 2006 06:38am | #9

   Not sure of your budget, but you might want to consider a Woodmaster.  The 18" model with the planer, moulder, ripsaw, and sander is around $2300 plus shipping.  The bonus is that you get a great 5hp planer, and can expand into moulding if you like.  I also use the ripsaw, which works great for moulding blanks.

   No deflection problems, as the head is supported on both sides.

   Limitations: 18" width.  I just glue up <18" widths, sand, and glue up the subs, then scrape the last joints.

1. 
   Barrie2777 | Jan 03, 2006 03:24pm | #10

   My shop is already fully equipped with 20" planer. I am not a fan of those multi use machines either.

5. 
   mrbird90 | Jan 04, 2006 12:43am | #11

   I was at a cabinet shop where the owner uses a lot ot thin stock to make horns for old victrolas, the Edison type. He has a 22/44 Performax and said it is great. He has had it for over a year now and is very pleased. He removes a lot of stock using 36-60 grit paper and takes the wood down to about 1/8". Oak, walnut, mahagony,and other exotic woods.  Just a little more input. He also has a 24" Grizzly which is about 10+ years old and he likes the new performax better. The paper change is easier and he can control the feed rate.