I’m looking for a Drum or Widebelt Sander to do intermediate sanding to flat surfaces like table tops, cabinet door/drawer faces etc. I like the power of the Grizzly 1066z drum sander, but I’ve never used a velcro fastening system (attaching sandpaper to drum) and I’m a bit concerned w/ the weight, about 450 #s.
The other option I like is the Woodtek 13″ Widebelt: I like all the features except their tech support scarred me with the sandpaper belt needing a lot of attention in the manual tracking department.
If anyone knows anything about these machines please share. Also, I’ve looked at Delta and Performax’s machines, but they seem under-powered for thickness sanding (removing snipes and chips from maple, cherry, walnut or other hardwoods). I am open to alternatives though.
Replies
I have the Performax 16-32, and I am well pleased. To be sure, thickness sanding a wide panel or board is a slow process. I usually thickness close with the planer, then finish with the sander. I have doe 28 in. wide panels, and was very happy with the result. I leave 80 grit in the performax and finish sand with the ROS. My usage is purely hobby level. I am certain that if production were the goal, a larger unit would be needed.
Sincerely,
Mike Narges
Thank you for the speedy reply. How long have you had the Performax (hrs. used)? Do you have paper tracking problems? Can it take a 1/64 off of hardwood on a single pass?
Dave
I've had the 16-32 for about a year. It will easily remove a 64th off of
any hardwood. I usually bump the elevation crank about an 8th of a turn
with each pass. Most often, I am using red oak. It took a litle while, but I took a 16th off of 13.5 in panels a week or so ago. Patience is the virtue I most lack. It did a great job. I believe the elevation crank raises / lowers 1/16 with a full turn. I love the machine and use it far more than I expected.
I have had no tracking problems. Performax added some ceramic blocks to correct that problem. The fix works!
Sincerely,
Mike Narges
Edited 1/30/2004 11:02:47 PM ET by Mike
Thank you for the feedback.
Dave
I also have the Performax 16/32 and am pleased with it. In a garage workshop, I couldn't afford the wiring or space for a heavy 3-5 hp sander, so have not considered the Performax underpowered - even though it is clearly not a high production tool.
The Performax is excellent for removing snipe or lines from nicked blades, and for taking the last 1/16 or so off hardwood (especially figured wood that is subject to tear out). But it will never replace the thickness planer. I use it far more than I expected I would.
Incidentally my unit is labeled that 1/4 turn of the elevator is 1/16 inch. I often move up by 1/8 turn, 1/32 inch thickness, and run the piece through faster with more passes - better results and less chance of burning.________________________Charlie Plesums Austin, Texashttp://www.plesums.com/wood
There's an ad in Saturday's Chicago Tribune for a lightly used 1632 for $400.
Bit of a reach from San Diego, but thanx
Dave
I just went and re-checked my 16-32, and mine indicates
that 1/4 turn = 1/64th of an inch. I too use 1/8th turn per pass and love the results.
Mike Narges
I have the General International 24" drum sander, and am satisfied with it. The price is reasonable (around $1700), it's a true 3 hp machine, and it has aluminum drums similar to the Performax. I wanted that feature to ensure that the corners of stock stayed crisp, something that worried me on the velcro machines. It's built more solidly than the Performax 24" machine, and can take off a fair amount of stock as long as you're using 80 grit or less. A 120 grit belt will burn if you try to take off too much at too high a feed rate, but that's asking a lot.
thank you for the info
Dave
I have the General International 24" dual drum sander and am quite pleased with it. I do occasionally have problems with the paper slipping out of the clamps or tearing off at the clamps. Have you any problems similar problems.
Bob
I have had the paper slip once or twice, but that seems to be something that I'm responsible for, more than the machine. It seems to happen more often if I'm re-using a belt, and the backing on the belt stretches beyond the capability of the take-up springs on the clamp. I just ordered some belt material from Klingspor, which is supposed to have a polyester backing to resist stretch. We'll see.
I had a Performax 16/32 and can tell you it's grossly underpowered if you want to sand wide stock. For just a little more money you can get the Grizzly, which is much wider. I sold my 16/32 and bought a 38" Woodmaster. I love it ... it's 5 hp and can compete with the big boy tools.
John
Just as I suspected.
Dave
Dave,
I have the Woodtek 13" widebelt and am very pleased with it. The belt tracking does require some adjustment but I don't consider it a big deal. It is pretty stable once you complete the initial adjustment for a belt. You do need to do it each time you change belts.
I think that the main advantage to the machine is the ease of changing belts. It takes about 3 minutes to go from one grit to another and I generally use 3 or 4 different grits per job.
Woodtek's tech support and service has been great.
Jack
How about the rubber contact drum and hold down rollers? Do they round the edges of your stock, or does it leave a fairly crisp edge? How long have you owned the machine?
Dave
Dave,
The edges come out crisp - a sharp edged 90 degrees. No sign of roundover.
I've had the machine about 7 years. Have replaced the conveyor belt once to upgrade to a better belt, and the conveyor drive motor twice. The original conveyor motor lasted about 6 1/2 years. The replacement lasted about 5 months. WW Supply replaced it at no charge even though it was well out of warranty. They simply said that it shouldn't have failed and sent a new one. They didn't have to, but they did. Obviously I was quite pleased with the way they stood behind their product.
Also had to replace the bearings for the infeed roller after 5 years. A simple job. I don't recall the cost but it wasn't much.
Jack
I have the Grizzly 1066. Mine came without the velcro, I had to buy the conversion kit an install it, that wasn't fun but I have been very pleased with the machine as a whole. I use it mostly for table tops and as long as you take lite passes it works great. One thing about Grizzly that most people miss is that aside from their great service dept., is that they will put you in contact with other people in your area who have bought the same machine! A voluntory program that they offer, and helped me decide on several of their machines, like the g1066. As for the weight, no problem with a shop fox rolling base, but then I don't move it much as it really, really, really needs to be hooked up to dust collector!
good luck
uncletim
Hey, thank you for the good intel. Grizzly did give me a contact in the area, but he didn't return my call. Now that you have the velcro system would you say it's fairly trouble free? And by light passes.... does that mean it will stall/burn taking 1/64 off maple?
Dave
I have the 25 inch General International also. It's an alright machine, but I wouldn't recommend it for planning.
I wish I would have come across these machines before going with the GI.
http://www.max-ind.com/m_catalog7.asp
Don
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