Replies

1. 
   DougF | Oct 07, 2005 03:43pm | #1

   Dale,

   I have a 25" dual-head ProFormax and my experience is that a dual head requires a lot of hp unless you are barely kissing the surface of the wood.  I have a 5hp motor can can easily stall out the drive belt it if I'm not careful.  Also, the sensitivity of height setting mechanism for the second drum is really critical.  Roll paper for these machines is really expensive so be prepared for a little sticker shock.  You can quickly ruin a strip from pitch pockets, woods with high sugar content such as maple and cherry, glue-ups where the excess glue has not been removed from the boards and trying to take too much material off in a single pass. 

   Doug

2. 
   sylvan | Oct 08, 2005 02:31am | #2

   I had a Woodmaster 25" for about a year. I bought it new from the factory. I am a guitar maker and need to thin wood very precisely. I used a Performax for years and thought I would "upgrade". Big Mistake. I never could get the Woodmaster to thin reliably. It would routinely tear belts and destroy wood. I finally said enough is enough and sold it. Bought a small wide belt sander and have never looked back. I cannot recommend the Woodmaster. Sorry!

3. 
   REllis | Oct 11, 2005 05:45am | #3

   The Woodmaster drum sander got the highest review (in its price range, single drum category) from FW a few years ago.  It was based on that review that I opted for the Woodmaster.  I have been well pleased with this machine, use it almost on a daily basis for the last 4 years.

   Drum sanders are good for what they're designed for.  I don't expect mine to get sanded pieces I run through ready for the finish room.  Mine does however get it at about 95 percent ready, another words cutting down my sanding time considerably.  I generally run 120 grit, and only have to change the belt about every 6 months, or longer.  I like it for flattening glued up panels, table tops, sizing parts (consistent thickness), etc...I'm so dependent upon it that, for me in my shop, I give it as much importance as a TS, Joiner, & Planer.

   Hope this helps with your decision.

   Robert

1. 
   dale01 | Oct 11, 2005 06:56pm | #5

   Thank You for your advise.  I also read the fineworking article and have a friend that has a general so I have beeen debating my options.  Thanks Again

4. 
   mikegagne | Oct 11, 2005 06:35am | #4

   Dale, I dont know your price sensitivity but a drum sander is way less useable than a widebelt. Sunhill makes a 25 inch for about $3000 with a 5-7 hp motor, I have their 25" with 15 hp motor and it serves me well at twice the price. I have had 37" Sandingmaster and Timesaver and used an EMC from Laguna (awesome machine) and it all boils down to how much money you want to spend. For light weight occaissional use, Performax might be your answer. My advice is shop carefully and look at everything. aloha, mike

5. 
   tigerstripe | Oct 12, 2005 03:28am | #6

   Hi Dale .

    Ihave the twin drum general. I use it strictly for flating table tops. I run 80 and 120 grit paper. You do have to watch that you don't take to big of a pass but it works great for me. I also run my resawn pieces through when I am making chairs, and I go down to 60 thousand and have gone down as thin as 30 thousand, when I am resawing my own veener.

   James