Replies

1. 
   DougF | Feb 03, 2005 06:33pm | #1

   Zav,

   I have Performax 2-25, dual heads, and I have mixed emotions regarding the performance.  Changing rolls is not really a problem provided the bulk material is exactly in the widths that correspond to your templates.  Buying pre-cut strips is prohibitively expensive.  The machine works well for rough to medium stock removal but I am less impressed when you start into the 180 and 220 grits.  Pressure (height)adjustments become very critical or you can bind the wood in a hurry.  I got a great deal on mine used but were I buying a new unit I think I would opt for a belt sander provided I could find one at an equivalent price. 

   Doug

1. 
   zav | Feb 03, 2005 06:40pm | #2

   Thanks for the feedback.

   Zav

2. 
   gizmo2006 | Feb 04, 2005 05:31am | #3

   I purchased a 16-32 in August 2004. I love it, now that I'm on the upper portion of the learning curve. I wasn't impressed with the tech support people (the one I talked to had not used a machine and wasn't a woodworker). I called Klinspor and talked to their tech person and got tons of info. He answered all my questions and saved me some posible problems. My friend purchased a 22-44 and it also does a great job. The biggest issue is setting the infeed and outfeed adjustments. I use a steel bar and an ohm meter which is a big time saver. The old feeler guage trick takes forever. I looked at Belt type machines but couldn't justify $2000-3000.00 for my hobby/semi pro shop. For my applications it works great.

1. 
   RobbyP | Feb 04, 2005 08:27am | #4

   Hi Delbert,

   I was so pleased to hear some one share some positive feedback on their drum sander.  These machines get such a bad rap and I feel it is mostly due to their misuse.  People often expect too much out of them. 

   To Zav, I have a 22-44 and I too love it.  It does all that I need it to do but it must be understood that it is not a planer.  If you need it  to thickness boards it does take awhile but it does work.  Using it for making veneers and finish sanding wide or long table tops is great.  Definitely need a dust collector though.

   Hope this helps,

   Robby Phelps RP Custom Woodworks

1. 
   gizmo2006 | Feb 04, 2005 02:30pm | #5

   Robby,

   You're 100% correct about getting a bad rap. Several of our local woodworking club members are very negitive about drum sanders, when in fact several of them have never owned one. I see a lot of posts based on hear say rather than actual facts. I prefer to hear facts from someone whether it be good or bad. One of my many uses is  to sand re-sawed material for Shaker boxes. I use a Wood Slicer bandsaw blade (from Highland Hardware) to re-saw (with outstanding results) and my 16-32 to finish sand my material. Very pleased with the results.

   Delbert

2. 
   zav | Feb 04, 2005 04:24pm | #7

   Robby and Delbert

   Thanks for writing in on this.

   Would you say the maintenance time (changing papers, adjusting feed rollers) is reasonable and the machines stay adjusted once set? This is my worry - we run a school shop and have quite a varied workload and the machine would get a lot of use. I don't want something too fussy that needs a lot of tweaking.

   Zav

1. 
   gizmo2006 | Feb 04, 2005 09:16pm | #8

   Zav,

   Paper change is simple enough. It takes me about 4 - 6 minutes to change paper. I use the pre-cut paper. I buy all of my sanding paper, rolls, discs etc. from Klingspor (1-800-228-000). As for adjustments, you set the infeed and outfeed one time and that's it. From that point on you simply turn the drum height adjustment to your desired setting. I've found that you need to take small amounts with each pass and not try to remove it all in one pass. The learning curve for how much to sand in one pass takes a little time. It will vary depending on stock width and type of wood. Feed rate is also something you'll learn quickly. Yoy'll find (As with any type of sander) each type of wood works different.

   Delbert

1. 
   zav | Feb 07, 2005 04:33pm | #9

   Delbert

   Thanks for the response. Sounds good. I think we're going to go ahead with it. You and the others have been a lot of help.

   Zav

2. 
   chills1994 | Mar 09, 2005 11:48am | #10

   I've got the Delta drum sander.  I don't have any complaints.  I bought sandpaper in bulk 50 yard rolls.  I've kept the original sanding strip that came with it  to use as a template for cutting new strips.

   If you look over on knots, and type in Shaker oval boxes on the advanced search screen, I'm sure you'll find my post with pictures of me sanding down strips with the Delta DS.  I sand strips down to .068".  Cherry likes to burn the sand paper.  That is kind of a disappointment, but more my fault than the sander's.

   I have to make a lot of those strips for the classes I teach.  Dust collection is a must.

2. 
   zav | Feb 04, 2005 04:18pm | #6

   Thanks for the feedback.

    

   Zav