Drum Sander Gloat

[Gene E Miller]

Greetings & Salutations,

Well after a bit of trials and tribulations I finally got the Performax
16-32 plus up and going.

I managed to get this for what I think was a pretty good price on
eBay and the guy that sold it took it apart and packaged
it up in 3 separate boxes.

The box that had the motor and drum assemble was packaged
up like no tomorrow but guess what UPS managed to drop it
or something and the shroud that controls the movement of
the drum head was cracked and broken completely thru.

With no way to adjust the head up and down I had a useless
piece of equipment that I had just paid $500 bucks for.

88111

So I got out the manual and found the part number and called
the customer service number for performax and ordered a new
shroud. That was Tuesday and I could not believe it but the
new one arrived here before noon today and in less than an
hour my bargain sander was adjusted and running and wow
am I happy.

Just when I am coming down to the finish line with 2 cherry
cedar chest that I am building I couldn't be happier since I can
now use this baby on the 22 x 45 lids of these chests.

88112 88113

I must say the the customer support for Performax was
terrific and even the seller on eBay was pretty fair too.
Even though he didn't have to because he did have the item
packaged about as good as could be expected he split the cost
of the new part with me.

What we will get from UPS is anyone's guess but will just have
to wait and see for now.

All in all I am swelled up a little at this addition to my shop.
Please don't mind the mess in the shop I am getting close to
a deadline for these chests and sweeping up is not high on the
list at the moment. :p

Gene :D:D

[Dewey Torres]

I have a very similar gloat coming up myself... stay tuned.
Nice find. I looked for months to try and find a decent buy on a drum sander via the Bay to no avail.
Dewey

[Don Abele]

Gene, congrats on the sander. I have the 22/44 closed-stand version and love it. Too bad about the initial damage. Glad you were able to resolve it quickly though. Out of curiosity, what did that bracket cost to replace? It's a big heavy piece, they must have really dropped it hard!!!

Also, I'd spend a lot of time tuning and ensuring it is sanding parallel, especially given that you know it was dropped. My new one right out of an undamaged box was off by about 1/16 left to right. Took about 45 minutes or so to get it all trued up.

I see you also have the extension wings. They are great for longer boards, but boy do they take up some real estate! I wish it were easier to get them on and off (or make them foldable). I put mine on initially, sanded some long pieces, then took them off. I have sanded long pieces since without putting them on, and while you can do it and get good results, it is easier with the wings.

Again, congratulations!

Be well,

Doc

[Gene E Miller]

Gene, congrats on the sander. I have the 22/44 closed-stand version and love it. Too bad about the initial damage. Glad you were able to resolve it quickly though. Out of curiosity, what did that bracket cost to replace? It's a big heavy piece, they must have really dropped it hard!!!

Also, I'd spend a lot of time tuning and ensuring it is sanding parallel, especially given that you know it was dropped. My new one right out of an undamaged box was off by about 1/16 left to right. Took about 45 minutes or so to get it all trued up.

I see you also have the extension wings. They are great for longer boards, but boy do they take up some real estate! I wish it were easier to get them on and off (or make them fold able). I put mine on initially, sanded some long pieces, then took them off. I have sanded long pieces since without putting them on, and while you can do it and get good results, it is easier with the wings.

Again, congratulations!

Be well,

Doc

Thanks Don,

I have no idea how they were able to break that part but it is
cast iron and from my past experience in a machine shop cast
iron hit just right will bust and not always from a real hard hit.

The replacement was $101.00 including shipping so I still ended
up with a pretty good deal since the seller is paying for half of
the part and who knows if UPS will fork over any money for
breaking it in the first place.

UPS called me and wanted to know if I had the original shipping
container and of course after I had unpacked it all and seen how
well it was packed I just took all of the stuff out to my burn barrel
and burnt it so I may or may not get any satisfaction from them.

I did check out just about everything else as well as I could and
spent about 2 hours adjusting everything and testing a board that was
30 inches long by sanding it side ways and then turning it around and
I have got it where it does not leave a ridge at the end of the drum.

I do think I need to tighten the feed belt though as when I get on
very thin material the drum will contact the feed belt when at certain
points but if I put my hand on the feed belt and push it down against
the table it quits.

I do agree that the feed tables are going to be a problem as they
do make for a very large footprint. I can see now that I need to
do some rearranging in the shop. I have some shelving that I can
move into my very large bathroom that I have out there and then
I need to build a roll around planer stand so I can move it in the corner
when not using and I think have to put that sander on some rollers as
well or I will have bruised hips all the time.

Gene