Replies

1. 
   mudman | Nov 19, 2006 08:46pm | #1

   How many board feet have you put through it and how much can you take off in one pass before heat/ pitch become a problem? I am considering one of these machines as well.

   Pardon my spelling,

   Mike

   Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.

1. 
   rompus62 | Nov 19, 2006 09:16pm | #2

   I have put through a bunch of doors (2 at once) without a heat or load problem. I have only had it 3 weeks so i have not run lots of board feet as of yet. It has a 6 inch steel drum versus the aluminum 5 inch drum which most other sanders have and aids in cooling. The slow drum speed adds to the lack of heat build up. Also the dust collecter shroud is right up against the drum so it evacuates the dust much better, also the variable speed helps. I got my 26 inch for 2100 bucks.Ask for the free video from their website http://www.woodmastertools.com/s/drum.cfm . I spent over a month researching before I decided on this. If you are doing high production maybe this sander isn't for you (no drum would be ) Of course you still have to hand sand but the sander makes things much easier.Some of the guys on the vid claim you can finish right off the sander but they are doing crappy work if they do that.

1. 
   mudman | Nov 19, 2006 09:25pm | #3

   I have there sales packet. They send me another one every 6 months. :-)

   So I know all about their design advantages and I am pretty well convinced that it is a right machine for my shop. But I don't know any pro shop that is using one and that bothers me. Pluss their marketing style reminds me of Shop Smith. Not that Shop Smith isn't a good tool.

   Right now I haul all my doors over to another shop and use their Wide belt machine. But I would love to be able to sand all my face frames and such in house. I think I will get the Wood Master but would like to hear your comments in a couple of months. Thanks for you information.

    Pardon my spelling,

   Mike

   Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.

1. 
   rompus62 | Nov 20, 2006 06:30am | #6

   I actually commented to the guy about their ad campaign, it is very hokey for lack of a better word. The guys they use as examples and the photos are kind of funny. You have to use your own judgement about not seeing them in cabinet shops.I have never seen a drum sander in any cabinet shop either,that does'nt mean they are'nt a viable asset. I am a one man operation and have used wide belt sanders, I really think this thing does just as good of a job. I can tell you that the build quality is excellent. read the fine woodworking review from a few years back, that is what convinced me. By the way shipping adds about 500 bucks to the price but they brought it right into the shop .I had it running in about 3 hours.I think there is a stigma about them that is probably justified with some of the junk that is out there.

1. 
   mudman | Nov 21, 2006 08:10pm | #12

   Thanks again for the info. Glad to hear that you agree about the odd marketing. But in their defense they have a small market and a limited product line, so direct marketing makes sense.

   You are correct drum sanders are not all that common in pro shops. I only know of a couple. and they use the general and Performax. But the wood master looks like it is a lot more machine for the money than the cometition.

    Pardon my spelling,

   Mike

   Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.

2. 
   rbarlow | Nov 20, 2006 01:24am | #4

   I would also like to hear back from you in a couple of mo's.  How often do you clean the belt?

1. 
   rompus62 | Nov 20, 2006 02:09am | #5

   I try to clean it every couple of passes. That may seem excessive and maybe it is but is is so simple and quick to do it is no big deal. Any drum sander would need cleaned IMO for it not to clog up, the woodmaster less so because the drum is 6 inches and the dust collection is better, also the slow drum speed keeps the paper from overheating and building up resins. I have run about 300 passes thru my 100 grit belt and it looks new after I hit it with the belt cleaner. I finish my door pass with 150 grit and the cross grain marks can be sanded out with 180 grit on the orbital. Before I got the sander I would start with 80 grit on the orbital then go to 120 and then 180. I have now eliminated 2 steps and am saving on expensive sanding discs.By the way I have been sanding hard maple on this job.

1. 
   rbarlow | Nov 21, 2006 07:36am | #11

   thank you for your reply I was just wondering so sometime in the future when I buy one I will have an idea about how to keep it running smoothe.  I am a self taught hobbiest woodworker that get's all my knowledge from places like this and trial and error.  again thanks  rb

2. 
   JMartinsky | Nov 20, 2006 03:05pm | #7

   Dear Rompus,
   Is that the dedicated sander or the planer/ combo?

   Best,

   John

1. 
   rompus62 | Nov 20, 2006 08:19pm | #10

   Just the sander. Don't get the combo deal because the sanding drum is only 3 inches in diameter.Good advice DJK Thanks. I thought the price was very reasonable for such a heavy machine(over 600)

3. 
   BOBABEUI | Nov 20, 2006 04:10pm | #8

   Hi Rompus,

   Sounds like you have the 2675 drum sander. I have had machine for about 1.5 years, my only comment about the machine is the magnetic scale is kind of hokie, but the rest of the machine is pretty impressive.

   I am not a pro shop by any means. But I use the machine mostly for thickness sanding shop cut veneers and bulk sanding, stuff like drawer side stock. Been using Klingspor sandpaper, loading or clogging of the paper has not been a problem at all. I really take very very light cuts, like on the order of 1/64 at a time.

   Sounds like you bought the machine for a great price..

   Best of luck

4. 
   DJK | Nov 20, 2006 06:31pm | #9

   I've ownd a 2675 for 7 years. I did own two Perfomax machines, they are toys compaired to a Woodmaster. Purchased mine with the "Big Red" main motor and larger feed motor. The thing works as advertised but it's not a wide belt. Once the learning curve is over, one can obtain very good results. Don't purchase the caster set just attach your own, much cheaper or get them to throw them in. Also get extra sticky velcro for the drum so you have some when/if the paper snags and you accidently burn the velcro on the drum. It's easy to cut out a section and replace. It's also good practice to reverse the sand paper belt when it gets worn.

   DJK