General 15-250 M1 24" Drum Sander - Decen Machine? Used Value?

[Patrick Irish]

Since I passed on a Powermatic 25" 7.5hp 3000lb planer for like $700.....only because I have a 16" 1200lb model and no space to store and sell the other one, I'm now lusting for a drum sander.

What's the story on General International 24" 3hp drum sanders? Seller asked $1200 but I believe it's a 2005 model and was just over $2k new back then.

Was thinking $800 was the max price I'd go.

Are these decent machines?

[John TenEyck]

I bought a used double drum one a couple of months ago, about 5 years old. Paid more than the asking price of the one you are looking at. No complaints whatsoever. It many only be 3 Hp but it will destroy the sanding strip before bogging down. Speed and finish quality are both far better than my old Delta 18x36.

John

[Mike Wilkins]

Many of those 25" dual-drum sanders are similar, just different paint jobs. I have the Woodmaster machine from Woodworkers Supply and it has been a fine machine. Just don't run a piece of pine through it for a first test run. Pine is a soft, sappy wood and will gum up sanding belts in a flash.