Replies

1. 
   bd | Sep 26, 2006 03:36pm | #1

   I have one, but don't have much experience with anything else. I would say it's definitely better than the Delta product. Don't expect to do any abrasive planing with it -- unless you have an awful lot of patience. Even with coarse paper, the depth of cut is very limited. When finish sanding, even a very small variation in thickness of the part being sanded can cause an overload in the drum motor -- which usually results in some kind of scaring of the part being sanded.

   I would suggest saving the money until you could afford a Woodmaster.

2. 
   RickL | Sep 26, 2006 04:02pm | #2

   I've used Performax, Lobo, Woodmaster, wideblts such as Timesaver, etc and stroke sanders. Personally, for simply sanding panels and such, I would get a stroke sander over a drum sander. I especially hate the velcro paper on a drum sander. Doesn't work as well as because it's to squishy for lack of a better term at the moment.  Stroke sanders are relatively cheap in the used department. Last one I bought was a Mattison for $700 and would go for several thousand with a dealer. Minimax, Grizzly, etc sell stroke sanders and most folks don't even know about them. In the early days of FWW it was a much coveted item. There were even articles on building your own. Seems the drum sander has eclipsed the stroke sander but in my opinion it's still a viable option.