Official Luthiers Forum!

I am finally going to break down, & buy a drum sander. I can get the new Delta (31-260X), or the Jet (16-32) for roughly the same price. My local tool dealer highly recommends the Delta, but I seem to recall reading somewhere (or, I may have heard it) that for making guitars, the Jet is a better choice. Space is an issue, & I don't feel like making one. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated......don

I went through the same process and finally bought a Jet 10-20 4 months ago. I also have limited space and so far I'm really glad I went ahead and got it. It's a huge improvement over the Wagner safety planer, a hand plane, and a ROS. A larger sander is probably better if you have the room, of course.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I'll second the 10-20. I expect Hesh to chime in too. He is a big fan of the 10-20. Not a lot of space needed since it sits on your bench. I love it.

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

I bought a used 18x36 Delta ( older model ) and have no issues with it and at $500 it was really a good deal. Get some 40 or 60 grit paper for what ever you buy if you are going to use it to remove a lot of stock, 80 grit will load up real bad, I ruined my 1st 80 grit belt sanding my 1st set of cocobolo, I did the second set of cocobolo and P@ul's bubinga on a 60 grit belt and it is still going strong. Leave a little stock and finish with 120. The nice thing about 18" is a joined top or back can be ran straight through.

As for space it only uses extra space when sanding and can be pushed against the wall or in a corner for storage.

Fred

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

I've got a 10-20, and like other I really like it, and have limited space.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

I've been using a used Performax 22-44 (Zootman's old unit) for a year now and don't know how I ever lived without one. It's capable of handling anything that instrument making could ever throw at it, including fully joined plates in one pass over the full width. It's on a wheeled cart and can be moved away when not in use.

My advice...get the widest sander you have room for and can afford.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

I just recently bought a used Performax 16 32 Plus. So are I am really happy with it. I had the 10 20 and it seemed to do just fine also. I got the larger one because I need to build some storage units and the width will be way beyond the 10 20 plus.
Chuck

I have a performax 10/20. Its is identical to the jet and made by them. Its great little machine. Heavy little sucker though.

I have just hooked up my 26" Steel City monster - with dual drums it can do 80 and 120 in a single pass.
I picked it up used for a fraction of the new price
Thicknessed my first back yesterday - works like a charm!

Another vote for the Jet 10/20 (my version is the 10/20 Plus - not sure what that signifies)
The only caveat is that changing paper's a little tricky. But once you get the hang of it it's not too tough. Good performance, good price.

I went with the Delta 18/36 and glad i did.It does anything asked of it and i like the fact that it was made in the USA.It does full size dreadnaught top and back plates with great precision.