I have an old Performax 22/44 which they don't make any more. First modification I did was convert the 1 1/2 hp motor to 220 volt because it was always tripping the circuit breaker (made sure to keep the conveyor belt at 110...). This totally eliminated any bogging down or tripping. So, over the last 10 or so years, I have become a huge fan of slow speed sanding on my bowls with the angle drill, keeping in the 1/3 to 1/2 trigger pull range. The abrasives cut far better at slower speeds. As near as I can tell, it is about traction because if you are spinning too fast, then you create heat, but the grit doesn't really dig in and cut. The 4 1/2 inch drum on the sander spins at 1720 or some thing like that, which is far too fast. I was chatting with Supermax as they are called now and asked about turning the speed way down. Their suggestion was to slow the conveyor belt. Well, that doesn't effect how the abrasives cut, and I know I am not the only one to get mad when I get the black burn lines down the middle of the panel. So, I am thinking about getting a 2 hp Leeson 3 phase motor with a phase converter like my lathes, and a variable speed knob. Is this crazy, or maybe a good idea??? Oh, they replaced the 22/44 with a 25/50 and it has a 1 3/4 motor on a 'dedicated 20 amp 120 volt circuit'... I don't know electrical, but that is crazy to me...
robo hippy