Replies

1. 
   hammer1 | Jan 14, 2005 02:03am | #1

   You will hear differing opinions on drum sanders. There are many types and brands and they are not created equal. I bought a single drum from Performax 10-12 yrs. ago. It was the top model at that time, Supermax at about $5000. It turned out to be absolutely useless. I have long experience in setting up and running much more sophisticated woodworking machinery. The problem was not the operator, rate of speed or depth of cut. The problem is a hard spinning drum with paper wrapped around it.

   Some manufacturers make a belt type sander, Sunhill, Grizzly, they are probably the same basic machine. The inexpensive, (affordable), ones are open ended. I thought the Max industries drums looked interesting, link below. They have addressed some of the issues with drums. Too bad we all can't have a Heesemann.

   http://www.max-ind.com/m_catalog7.asp

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

1. 
   JMartinsky | Jan 14, 2005 07:13am | #2

   Dear Hammer,
   That's pretty nice! I have been looking at the "Woodmaster". I do this work commercially and am looking for ways to speed things up a bit. I do have quite the case of "carpel tunnel" so I am also looking to minimise hand sanding. John

1. 
   highfigh | Jan 14, 2005 08:22am | #4

   I used a wide belt sander for my face frames and it wasn't totally accurate, either. One stile is about 1/16" thicker on most of them and the difference is less than that on the others, maybe because the ones that are closer to equal are narrower. It did sand across the grain but I finished them with a PC random orbital. They're maple and they came out nicely. To keep from rounding the edges, I placed two frames next to each other and sanded the adjacent stiles/rails together. Nice and crisp.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

2. 
   DonC | Jan 14, 2005 08:18am | #3

   Face frames can be sanded fine with randon orgital overhead sanders. Go to the commercial equipment sites and do a search, you will become enlightened. Avoid drum sanders, they are so overrated. A sharp hand scraper yieldssuperior results but requires human muscle. If you are doing this for a living or have alot to do, search the commercial sites.

3. 
   hammer1 | Jan 17, 2005 08:30am | #5

   J, I just found another double drum with oscillation. Thought you might be interested. Oliver makes nice machinery.
   http://olivermachinery.net/machines.asp?machine=5525

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

1. 
   JMartinsky | Jan 17, 2005 12:30pm | #6

   WOW, that's a very serious machine! Thanks for the info.John

4. 
   woodensplinter | Jan 17, 2005 05:29pm | #7

   Check out http://www.stockroomsupply.com

   They make, what they call, a V-drum sander.  If I remember right,  drum widths are available from 18 to 30 inches.  Basically, you get everything you need except for the cabinet and motor.  Probably the most inexpensive way to get into drum sanding.

5. 
   tms | Jan 19, 2005 12:34am | #8

   I just ordered a Woodmaster 38" sander. They have a half price sale on now (and I'm sure another one later).

   It should arrive in two weeks. After I set it up and put it through it's paces, I'll let you know what I think.

   Tom

1. 
   JMartinsky | Jan 19, 2005 03:31am | #10

   TMS & Jimmy,
   Thanks for the info, I look forward to hearing more!John

6. 
   mantles | Jan 19, 2005 12:52am | #9

   Wood Master is the only way to go.Ask for a demo and see for yourself.
   The paper last a long time and the wood comes out very well sanded.

   Jimmy