Well, I finally got a chance to open up the boxes for the 22-44 this afternoon after getting the lawn cut for the first time in more than two weeks...and just before the thunder storms arrived. 'Nothin' like putting a tool together in the shop while the weather outside rages! Here are my observations and a few pictures (of course!) for your edification.
Since I opted to build my own cabinet for this 200+ lb beast, my router table got the nod as a temporary home for assembly and testing. This is not generally a tool to try and lift yourself unless you are the Hulk! After cutting part of the box away and rolling said box on its side, I was able to slide the heavy cast iron assembly/motor onto the table surface and remove the rest of the packaging. Since I could not easily lift it out of the styrofoam, I rotated the machine on its side and back to facilitate this process. I would not have been able to do this if I had to lift the tool onto the factory or a shop-built base from the floor.
Assembly of the sander is very straight-forward. In fact, it's a piece of cake. There are four bolts that are used to place the separately packaged conveyor assembly onto the tool...and the necessary allen wrench is provided in the package. Other than attaching the depth adjustment wheel, plugging the motor into the control unit and attaching the optional infeed/outfeed tables, there is nothing else to do except check for necessary adjustments and make sawdust. Speaking of adjustments, this machine was virtually perfect out of the box! I only had to zero the depth gauge by simply lowering the drum fully to the conveyor and losening one bolt with a 1/2" socket. As it was, I double checked this after making a "test cut" with my chunk of "play poplar" left over from the Festool extravaganza last November.
First Impressions:
Pictures:
- Very heavy and sturdy
- Well designed for simple assembly and use
- No deflection of the drum arm unless a LOT of pressure is applied from above...unlikely in real use
- Quiet and smooth operation
- Independent controls for the drum motor and conveyor assembly are conveniently located, with the latter completely variable speed from zero up to 10' per minute
- Nice, pleasant ivory color which goes nicely with Jet and Mini Max gear...
- Included 80 grit wrap is effcient with stock removal, although somewhat agressive for pre-finish sanding. I believe that 100 grit and 120 grit paper will be necessary to fully appreciate this machine
- Dust collection is NOT optional on these tools...you can generate a lot of flour very quickly. Be sure to check your filters frequently in that respect and I also suggest you use filtration that is sub-micron if at all possible
- No negatives so far...
Pictures continued in the next post
- Fresh off the truck...
- Unboxing the heavy main unit
- Included in the box. Not shown is the conveyor assembly boxed separately as well as the optional infeed/outfeed tables
- Conveyor installed
- First test of the tool!
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If it's anything like my Delta, you're right about getting some finer sandpaper for more delicate work. I'm sure I don't have to tell you about taking very, VERY light passes, as well. We'll be looking for some actual "in-use" reports in the very near future! Congrats! 
Originally Posted by Dave Bartley
