Replies

1. 
   sharp | Jun 05, 2004 08:38pm | #1

   i found a second hand performax 37x2 for 2500$.

   it is a decent machine.. not amazing, but for 2500 cant beat it.

   i wanted to be able to put doors amoung other wide items through.

   you may want to consider second hand.

2. 
   migraine | Jun 06, 2004 01:30am | #2

   This is a touchy subject for me, especially since I have owned a single head performax and now a wide beltsander this is still waiting to have it's first piece run through it.  Hope fully in the next week.  I have also used large production wide belt sanders along with large production drum sanders.  Here's my personal experience on these.

   For a small hobbiest with time that doesn't amont to dollars per minute/hour, a small drum sander such as a performax is sufficient.  If you plan on using it for business or for more than a hour per week, then I would recommend you upgrade to a wide belt sander.  The wider the better.  Most of the wide belt sanders have belts to track back and forth which prevents burning of the material  and causing clogs in the belt that further burns your material.  This was a problem on the performax, even with a 3hp dust collector.

   In the past month or so, I have purchased 37"X60" belts on Ebay for around and average of $10. Most companies sell belts for $40-60 each  A roll of belt material for a performax runs around $40 and you get around 7 belt changes with it.

   If you are in Bakersfield, Ca., then there is a stocking rep for timesavers in Ontario, Calif.  Can't remember the name, but you can get it off the timesavers website.

   If you only need a hour or 3 per month sanding time, try finding a sanding service in your area. I have seen fees of artoung $60-$100 per hour with usually a $35-60 minimum. Remember, they pay for the machine, they pay the electricty, and they buy the belts.  Many times, I have needed a complete set of kitchen cabinetry frames sanded and have spent less than 20 minutes on a two-head sander

   The $3000 budget you have mentioned might be do-able if you went with a 25" model.  Most new 37" wide belt sanders start at $6500 on up

3. 
   Fingrs | Jun 06, 2004 05:52am | #3

   I've got the 18" Delt drum sander and have been pleased with it.  Granted, I use it rarely, to finish off frame and panel doors as well as wide glue-ups.  At about $850, it does a fine job so long as you take your time and change paper as required.  I used to have problems with burning stripes into my work, but have avoided that since running materials through on the diagonal.  Set-up was tedious, but that seems to have been a one-time effort.

   Today I used it to sand tiger maple panels that had some tear-out from the planer.  I used 220 grit paper on the drum, followed by 180, 220 and 320 on the random orbit sander.  The results were great.

   Also, the sander is small enough that I can shove it in a corner when not in use...I sprung for the mobile base.

   I'll assume you have a good dust collection system...

1. 
   Bakersfield | Jun 06, 2004 04:25pm | #4

   Thanks to all replies so far.

   I will be using the sander on a regular basis as I am a growing shop in NJ.  I do have dust collection and a 900 sq. ft. shop to work with.  I like the Delta line of equipment and also own Grizzly and a Powermatic jointer.  I didn't like the Performax sander I once used, have they gotten any better in the recent years?

1. 
   sawdustmaker | Jun 08, 2004 01:49am | #8

   You have a 900 sft shop, or 900 sft of "free space" available. If it is 900 sft total, you may want to consider using a couple sheets of sandpaper and a block ;)

4. 
   Booger | Jun 06, 2004 09:30pm | #5

   I've owned a woodmaster 26 for about 2 years, use it 6 days a week in my 1 man shop and am completly satisfied. I order all my stock in heavy and plane and sand it to a perfect 3/4 inch. Usually 500 to 1000 bf at a time. I also make my own raised panel doors and sand them down to 150#.  After working 20 years in big shops with big widebelt sanders there was a learning period. I finally figured out if I slowed it down to 30-35 ft a minute it worked beautifuly!!! Remember they are not thickness grinders just sanders. Woodmaster advertises in fine woodworking(I think). Good luck James

1. 
   Adrian | Jun 07, 2004 01:31am | #6

   Agree wide belts are ultimately the better machine; drum sanders can help you get there. I've had drum sanders from two companies; Performax....will never buy one again. And Woodmaster....does what it's supposed to, keeps on going, just a good machine, and good value for the money.cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, N.S

2. 
   bobJackson | Jun 07, 2004 05:53am | #7

   Hello, I have the woodmaster double drum sander for sale. It is 37" wide and has the 7.5hp motor upgrade. It is single phase 220v and has reversing switch attached. It is in like new condition and is being sold because I got a wide belt. Im asking $3500.00 and Im located in Bozeman, Mont. E-mail me with any questions. thanks... Bob