Help Me Decide On A Drum Sander!?!?

[Matthew Ferreras]

Hi Guys,

I know this has been discussed many times before and I've looked through a lot of threads but I can't find anything that directly relates to the Drum Sanders I am looking at. I'm a hobbiet who is passionate about getting the best tools I can when I purchase them. That being said I would be more comfortable near $2500 but if I would be a lot happier spending more I will, but $3,500 has to be near my max.

I am leaning towards a Supermax 25-50 or a Supermax 25x2 ES.

25-50 Specs-
Open ended capable of up to 50"
Single Drum
1.75 hp motor
4" max depth
Cost- $2,293
Video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRKt9cSCjvw

25x2 ES-
Closed end sander capable of 25"
Dual Drum
3 hp motor
6" max depth
Cost- $3,439
Video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IruHHTfWAh8

Some others that I'm kicking around are the Jet 22-44 (both oscillating and non-oscillating models) and the General 15-250M1. Some people also recommend the woodmaster brand as well.

I am interested to hear your opinions on any others models that you would recommend as well.

I appreciate your help.

Matt

[John Coloccia]

The closed end Supermax would be my choice. The Jet is OK, but if you're going in that direction, buy it used. It's not worth what they charge new, IMHO. I have the 22-44, so I should know. That open ended Supermax looks exactly like the Jet. It's most likely the same exact machine, with possibly some minor changes, so it's even MORE overpriced than the Jet. In fact, half their sanders look like copies of various Jet sanders, including the 22-44 pro. It just makes me wonder what the lineage of the 25x2 is. At least that model comes with a real rubber conveyor belt, not the ridiculous sanding belt that most other models come with. It seems like a nice machine.

[Bill McNiel]

I have the SuperMax 25-50 and am really pleased with it. I looked for almoast two years for a used 19-38 and finally found a two month old 25-50 with the table extensions, enclosed stand and 7 packs of sandpaper for $1,400 on CL.

SuperMax is "made" by the guys who originally designed the Performax, which is the predessor to the Jet (there apparently is a long tale of intrigue, mystery, woe and corporate wierdness). It is much more stout and a better engineered tool IMHO, for example, the drum cover is cast not sheetmetal like the Jet. Also the drum head moves up & down, not the feed bed, which is important when surfacing longer stock because outboard roller supports don't have to be readjusted with each pass. The feed belt does not have the alignment issues one hears so much about with the Jet. The paper is easy to attach which facilitates moving through grits easier.

I built my own roller base because the wheels on the enclosed base are linear which really doesn't work well for mobility.

[Bradley Gray]

I have an older model Supermax 25 x 2 and it works well for me. I previously owned a performax 22/44, which is a big step up from hand sanding but extremely slow on wide and or hard stock. The 25 x 2 has a 5 hp motor and faster feed rates. For some reason the 2 drums seem to washboard a lot less than the single drum.

[John Coloccia]

I think the whole machine is just much stiffer. The cantilevered design isn't terrible. It's just a compromise. My 22/44 is adequate for my purposes but I wish I'd either bought it used, or spent a little more on a stiffer design. I don't think I get $2000 of performance out of it.

[Rick Potter]

Woodmaster. Built like a tank, and easy to adjust and repair. Check the videos on you tube. There are a ton of them.

Wait for the sale where you get free shipping and the reversing switch.

I have a 5 HP 37" single drum. I think I would have been happy with the 24, but it was on sale.

Rick Potter

[Pat Brubeck]

I have been using the General International 15-250 for about six months and am very happy with its performance. It's very robust and easy to use. I'm a hobbyist, but I have no doubt this unit would be a workhorse in any shop.
Pat

[John Coloccia]

FYIW, if I upgrade my Jet, I'll be taking a VERY serious look at Woodmaster products. Have already, actually, and I'm really kicking myself for not doing it. The deciding factor was size. The Jet 22/44 was just much easier to locate and store in my rather cramped shop. Since I don't use it often, and mostly in batches, it gets tucked in a corner most of the time.

[glenn bradley]

Another Supermax 19-38 owner here. Very stout machine. I have not adjusted it since initial setup although I do check it a few times a year; always still aligned. I have heard horror stories about other open ended machines and alignment issues but, have had none of that. It may be that the 25-50 is pushing the limits of this format(?).

You can change paper in just a minute of two including rolling up the loose paper and putting it away. I never hesitate to change grits as I am working since it is so easy. The footprint is huge so I built a mobile storage cabinet below the unit. The way you work will determine your needs. I didn't realize the 25-50 had gone up so much in just a short time(?). Acme has it for $1999. (http://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/supermax-tools-72550)

[Matthew Ferreras]

I have the SuperMax 25-50 and am really pleased with it. I looked for almoast two years for a used 19-38 and finally found a two month old 25-50 with the table extensions, enclosed stand and 7 packs of sandpaper for $1,400 on CL.

SuperMax is "made" by the guys who originally designed the Performax, which is the predessor to the Jet (there apparently is a long tale of intrigue, mystery, woe and corporate wierdness). It is much more stout and a better engineered tool IMHO, for example, the drum cover is cast not sheetmetal like the Jet. Also the drum head moves up & down, not the feed bed, which is important when surfacing longer stock because outboard roller supports don't have to be readjusted with each pass. The feed belt does not have the alignment issues one hears so much about with the Jet. The paper is easy to attach which facilitates moving through grits easier.

I built my own roller base because the wheels on the enclosed base are linear which really doesn't work well for mobility.

You got a really good deal. I have been keeping my eye on craigslist but nothing has come up nearly as good as what you got.

Good to hear from someone who has one of the sanders I'm interested in. Thanks

[Matthew Ferreras]

Woodmaster. Built like a tank, and easy to adjust and repair. Check the videos on you tube. There are a ton of them.

Wait for the sale where you get free shipping and the reversing switch.

I have a 5 HP 37" single drum. I think I would have been happy with the 24, but it was on sale.

Rick Potter

I just took a look and they seem very well built. Thanks for the advise. The 5hp is what really has me interested. The highest Supermax I'm interested in is 3hp.

[Matthew Ferreras]

Another Supermax 19-38 owner here. Very stout machine. I have not adjusted it since initial setup although I do check it a few times a year; always still aligned. I have heard horror stories about other open ended machines and alignment issues but, have had none of that. It may be that the 25-50 is pushing the limits of this format(?).

You can change paper in just a minute of two including rolling up the loose paper and putting it away. I never hesitate to change grits as I am working since it is so easy. The footprint is huge so I built a mobile storage cabinet below the unit. The way you work will determine your needs. I didn't realize the 25-50 had gone up so much in just a short time(?). Acme has it for $1999. (http://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/supermax-tools-72550)

Good to hear about the paper changing because it would be great if I can use the sander up to 180 or higher since the paper is easy to change.

The price I quoted was for the Sander & extension tables.

[Matthew Ferreras]

FYIW, if I upgrade my Jet, I'll be taking a VERY serious look at Woodmaster products. Have already, actually, and I'm really kicking myself for not doing it. The deciding factor was size. The Jet 22/44 was just much easier to locate and store in my rather cramped shop. Since I don't use it often, and mostly in batches, it gets tucked in a corner most of the time.

Good to hear your experience with Jet. I think I will write the Jet off the list for now (unless one comes up for a great deal on craigslist).

[Chris Padilla]

I got to use the Jet 22/44 a couple weeks ago at David Marks' shop during a class. I was quite impressed with it. I just don't think I have the space for such a large sander but I would seriously consider getting one. Right now, I make do with a Delta 18/36. It is slow but it actually works nicely. I still need to employ the "Coloccia" tape crown on the rollers to keep the darn conveyor belt from walking off to the side.

[Rick Lizek]

It would be useful to know what kind of sanding you need it for. I would favor a stroke sander over a drum sander any day. Ben using sanders in commercial shops for over 40 years. One shop we had a Timesaver and 3 stroke sanders.

[John Coloccia]

I got to use the Jet 22/44 a couple weeks ago at David Marks' shop during a class. I was quite impressed with it. I just don't think I have the space for such a large sander but I would seriously consider getting one. Right now, I make do with a Delta 18/36. It is slow but it actually works nicely. I still need to employ the "Coloccia" tape crown on the rollers to keep the darn conveyor belt from walking off to the side.

I was wondering if that worked for anyone who tried it.

[Rick Potter]

Couple things to add about my Woodmaster that may be of interest.

The 5 HP motor is a Baldor, not an import. It takes a 30A, 220V circuit.
The ShopFox base that came with it is not strong enough for it, wheels will hardly turn.
It weighs about 1200# shipping.

I got the 37" because it was on a great sale, as well as thinking I would use it for cabinet face frames after assembly. As it turns out, after doing a bunch that way, I now prefer to pre sand all my components (face frame and doors) to the exact size, then assemble, then final sand with a ROS.

Truth be told, I could probably do most of my sanding on a 12" wide drum sander doing it this way. I am waiting to replace the paper currently on the machine. I will replace it with two grits, side by side, giving me, in effect two sanders in one.

Not quite sure yet how I will split it. Probably use 120/150 on a larger area than the 80/100. This would be so I can fit the (glued up and milled) raised panel section of cabinet doors on the fine grit, while the smaller individual boards will be pre sanded on the coarse grit before glue up.

This would work nicely for me, in my hobbiest shop.

Rick P

[Matthew Ferreras]

I am doing general hobbiest woodworking (i.e. tables, chairs, bookcases, ect.)

I'm not interested in a stoke sander as I am looking for tabletops to be dead flat, but thanks for the feedback.

[Mark Woodmark]

I had a Performax 16/32 for a couple years, wasn't real pleased with it. I purchased a Woodmaster 26 inch. The thing is an absolute beast and as one of the other posters stated "it is built like a tank"

[Bill McNiel]

Yes i did, but am not one to "gloat". I did alot of research and decided that the SuperMax was the best tool on the market, After using it for a couple of months I am convinced I made the right choice.

[mreza Salav]

I am surprised with all the praise about Supermax or maybe I'm the odd or unlucky one. Have a 37x2 Supermax (with a big Made in USA on the front) but I am less than impressed with it. The lifting mechanism is clumsy or not very well designed. The die cast gears at the end are not secured properly to the shaft (only a set screw that keeps loosening) and after tighten it multiple times it eventually stripped the soft cast. The fix was to make a through hole and tap a larger screw. I think one issue is that the weight of the table (which is large and heavy) is too much for those little gears to move up.
Another issue came with the adjusting bolt/nut for tracking the belt. The bolt wasn't of good quality and snapped (yes broke) once. Replaced it with a better grade bolt. Oh... and the conveyor belt (sand paper) doesn't last forever; I'd get a sander with rubber conveyor that lasts a bit longer.

[Scott Brihn]

I purchased a Supermax 25-50 last year. I was concerned about the open-ended design but am no longer. The machine is very stout and has required no adjustment since initial setup. Dust collection is terrific and paper changes are straightforward. I purchased the extension tables and have found them to be useful. My only regret is I purchased the OEM supplied digital readout and find I really don't use it. The shipping and handling arranged by Acme Tool was uneventful.

[Jim Andrew]

You are getting close in price with the large drum sanders to the price of the smallest Grizzly widebelt sander. I have the G9983 widebelt, it is a 15" open end sander, 5hp. I really enjoy using the thing, as it does a great job of flattening my panels. Of course, I have to rotate my panels as I am sanding them. This way both sides are finished at the same time, and rotating seems to help flatten them. As for cost of belts, I buy the paper belts from Grizzly, very reasonably priced and they last very well.

[Bob Falk]

I have an older Performax 25x2 ($600 on CL) that required a little TLC, but works well. I also have a Performax 16x32. The double drum is certainly a step up. I have a smaller shop and the 25x2 does have a big footprint with the wide splayed legs...that's a negative for me....also, the dust collection is not ideal (Supermax's newer models may be better). On the plus side, I have flattened long and wide natural edge slabs on it (36 grit) and that works well, though it takes many passes. I've had thoughts of selling them both and getting a widebelt, but will have to save my allowance for that.

[Matthew Ferreras]

I have an older Performax 25x2 ($600 on CL) that required a little TLC, but works well. I also have a Performax 16x32. The double drum is certainly a step up. I have a smaller shop and the 25x2 does have a big footprint with the wide splayed legs...that's a negative for me....also, the dust collection is not ideal (Supermax's newer models may be better). On the plus side, I have flattened long and wide natural edge slabs on it (36 grit) and that works well, though it takes many passes. I've had thoughts of selling them both and getting a widebelt, but will have to save my allowance for that.

I would take that off your hands in a second if I were anywhere near you. I live in NJ.