Drum Sander Opinions For Home Shop

[Renegade1LI]

Well I've decided to get a drum sander and leaning towards the PM2244, had some good reviews. I also like the idea of a double drum that would save some time but limited in width. Looking for some good feedback and experience, pros and cons of each. I like the wide belt sanders but really can't justify the cost. Most sanding will be finishing rough cut lumber, but would like the capacity to sand cabinet doors and frames and the occasional table top.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I was hoping to get some good opinions, recommendations?

 

[legenddc]

Do you already have a planer? If not, that's the better way to dimension rough cut lumber.

Assuming you do since you're looking at a $3000+ drum. My only experience with a drum sander is a PerformaX 16-32. It does a great job at smoothing boards but doesn't take a lot off at a time. Changing the sandpaper can be frustrating but not that bad. Typically we keep a rougher grit on there and then will sand with a random orbital sander to get whatever ready for finish.

With a double drum sander you can obviously have 2 different grits so that should help you start at a higher grit on the ROS. Not sure the feed rate of the PM2244 but the one we have is fairly slow. Definitely slower than a planer.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Do you already have a planer? If not, that's the better way to dimension rough cut lumber.

Assuming you do since you're looking at a $3000+ drum. My only experience with a drum sander is a PerformaX 16-32. It does a great job at smoothing boards but doesn't take a lot off at a time. Changing the sandpaper can be frustrating but not that bad. Typically we keep a rougher grit on there and then will sand with a random orbital sander to get whatever ready for finish.

With a double drum sander you can obviously have 2 different grits so that should help you start at a higher grit on the ROS. Not sure the feed rate of the PM2244 but the one we have is fairly slow. Definitely slower than a planer.

Thanks for the reply, I do have a planer and will upgrade if needed. Im thinking once planed the sanding should go a little faster, just debating between the single and double drum.

 

[jar944]

I think you will be disappointed if your goal is sanding rough lumber. The drum sanders are limited to a few thousands per pass.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I think you will be disappointed if your goal is sanding rough lumber. The drum sanders are limited to a few thousands per pass.

No, I plan on running everything through the planer than sand. I'd like to have it ready for final finishing after the drum sander.

 

[legenddc]

No, I plan on running everything through the planer than sand. I'd like to have it ready for final finishing after the drum sander.

I don't think you'll be able to do that. I've read if you sand to 220 on the drum sander you would drop to 180 on a ROS.

If you're putting things like frame and panel doors through it the top/bottom of the door is going to be sanded perpendicular to the grain. That will definitely require some sanding.

 

[mike93lx]

No experience with drum sanders, but before you take that jump, are you running into limitations with your planer, like end grain, resin projects or really thin pieces?

Do you have a segmented cutter head? Those can be game changing

 

[jar944]

No, I plan on running everything through the planer than sand. I'd like to have it ready for final finishing after the drum sander.

What application? You typically are still hand/orbital sanding after. Things like face frames or doors need the cross grain scratches hand sanded out.

 

[nadogail]

If you are planning on finishing Large Flat surfaces, like Table Tops you may be interested in a Stroke Sander.
Stroke Sanders are low technology and can be built from the components of a discarded Tread Mill.

 

[Renegade1LI]

So I originally planned on ordering the p
Pm2244 however grizzly has a similar machine on sale the G0920. It might not be as robust but it's also 1500$ cheaper. I've had good luck with grizzly machines and their customer service has been very good so I'll give it a shot. I think for the home shop it should work out and I've got alot of rough sawn poplar for trim, door jambs and mouldings to give out a good test. I'm hoping after the planer I'll run the wood through with 180 or 220 and be ready for paint. Review to follow.

 

[shoot summ]

I never knew I would use a drum sander so much, until I got a drum sander(and yes I have a planer, and a jointer)...

I found a cheap/abused Delta 18/36, made it work again and typically use it for something about every time I am in the shop. I want a better one, it's underpowered, the moving bed(up/down) is somewhat problematic, and it can be tricky at times to get the paper on the drum correctly. But man is it useful...

I've been looking at the single head/moving head units available from a number of sources, will depend what I can find a used deal on.

I did see a local deal on the Grizzly dual head recently but didn't snag it in time.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I never knew I would use a drum sander so much, until I got a drum sander(and yes I have a planer, and a jointer)...

I found a cheap/abused Delta 18/36, made it work again and typically use it for something about every time I am in the shop. I want a better one, it's underpowered, the moving bed(up/down) is somewhat problematic, and it can be tricky at times to get the paper on the drum correctly. But man is it useful...

I've been looking at the single head/moving head units available from a number of sources, will depend what I can find a used deal on.

I did see a local deal on the Grizzly dual head recently but didn't snag it in time.

If this works out well I may look to get a double drum as well as I plan on building cabinets for a couple kitchens.

 

[dogdog]

https://online.localauctions.com/auction/4746/bidgallery/

There is a thickness plainer there in the auction from one of the wood manufacturer inside Brooklyn navy yard.

 

[mhejl]

I recently sold my Jet drum sander because I rarely used it. It took up a huge amount of space with the (optional) in/outfeed tables and was fiddly to get the drive belt tracking right. Pre-cut drum belts are expensive and bulk rolls are a PITA to cut just right.

Helical cutters (Byrd) on my jointer and planer was a much better investment and minimized the need for the drum sander.

The rare uses for the drum sander was thicknessing veneers below the 1/8" min on the planer. As mentioned, thicknessing is not an ideal use for a drum sander.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Just received the sander and the boxes were perfect, not a single hole or tear, no smashed corners so I'm very happy. Unpacked and all parts are accounted for and undamaged, something is wrong, lol. One good thing that grizzly does that really helps, good directions that are clearly written. Now to have some fun and assemble.

 

[shoot summ]

Just received the sander and the boxes were perfect, not a single hole or tear, no smashed corners so I'm very happy. Unpacked and all parts are accounted for and undamaged, something is wrong, lol. One good thing that grizzly does that really helps, good directions that are clearly written. Now to have some fun and assemble.

I'm working on a large elm cookie table in the shop. Needed to add some stabilization strips to the back. Cut the slots for them, then dimensioned the strips to the exact height and width on the drum sander. Super quick and easy...

 

[Renegade1LI]

Well the machine was delivered and packaging was perfect, no damage. Unfortunately it was missing the table mounting blocks, I think evey grizzly I bought was missing something. I will say one big plus is US customer service, 8 minutes on the phone and the parts will ship today. It's ***** to be missing parts but at least they have good customer service and seem to stock the parts.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Grizzly sander update
I'll start by saying the customer service people at Grizzly are very nice and easy to speak with, that's the good. The bad, the parts that they sent got lost in shipping, I get it these things happen. Call the shipper and Grizzly, they tell me up to two weeks while they investigate. I ask Grizzly to please send out a replacement order, they said the parts were expensive and they couldn't do that, I asked to return the machine, send a new one, wanted me to pay shipping, NG.
Finally after a few days back and forth they said they would send a new order, but the parts were back ordered, great. I asked if they could take them out of another machine? No answer, so I signed up on the better business site and wrote what happened. Two days later they called and said the parts were back in stock and being shipped, after all they want to keep the customer happy. After the new parts arrive I get a call making sure I'm all set and if I would like to revise some reviews I left and they were sending me a 25$ gift card. Well over a month but at least the machine seems to work well