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http://www.epinions.com/reviews/Delta_3 ... ander?sb=1

I saw this, so I'm looking for opinions. Don't know if they used a backer board, but what is this snipe issue Ive read about?? (3"-5"-WTF??)

I am happy with mine and think it is a better tool than the Performax for short pieces. The real downside for large pieces is that the drum stays the same height while the convener raises and lowers, so it is a really a hassle moving large heavy stuff because you can't use roller stands to support the work.

I use light cuts and fast conveyor speeds and get no measurable wedge or snipe.

the drum is definitely better supported and more rigid than the Performax.

-jd

This is the machine I have and love it.
Easy to use right out of the box

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Greg
http://garibaldiinstruments.com/

Mine does the job, but I can't say that it's great. I had to put A LOT of time into it, and it's still not running the way I want it to run. Main problem that I have is with raising and lowering the feed table. I don't know what it is, but sometimes one of the 4 screws decides it'll stay in place while the other 3 lower or raise. But other than that, it does it's job.

How about using thin veneer wood under whatever to 'raise and lower' what your sanding?

It's not a bad idea to stick your work to a platform when passing it through a thickness sander if it's gonna be some really thin stuff. I have a performax 22-44 and love it. One of the busiest tools next too my bandsaw. And I can easily sand down to 8-9 hundredths without a platform.

Mike

Sounds like the tension needs to be adjusted on the timing belt under the table that connects the four lift screws. It can slip a cog or two on one or more of the timing pulleys if it's too loose. Good idea to make sure the lift screws have at least a little bit of lubrication. If the belt has slipped, the table probably needs to be releveled by adjusting each screw seperately.

I love mine, absolutely no complaints..

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The Biggest Little City, Nevada
www.hammondguitars.com
I love building guitars!

Yes that's exactly what happens. And I've adjusted so many times and keeps happening.i guess I need to spend some more time. It will go up fine, but when all said and done and I start lowering it it starts acting up on me.

Well, it sounds like we need to figure out a collar of some type that can be put under so it stops the slipping. Using rubber sleeve. A round rubber doughnut sleeve, that can be clamped. That would stop the slippage.

Delta worked out the problems with the USA made 18/36 machines 5-6 years ago or so. I use mine more than any other power tool in the shop.

Bob

For whats its worth I was told Delta are going to be releasing some new thickness sanders this spring but have no other information than that. I was looking to buy the 31-260x but saw it listed as discontinued (where I was going to buy it online, can't remember where but some Canadian website) due to them getting ready to release the new stuff.

Im waiting and hoping it happens soon!

Matt

I have some old Ziricote I may want to try as fretboards, but, well, do they make 50 grit paper? How long to take 1/8" off a Ziricote board IYBO? Also, are cracks an issue with Ziri? I mean, do you just fill with super glue and sawdust/? (fretboards)

Don't own one but have used a buddy's many a time and it seems to be as good as my performax, although I prefer mine for the auto-regulation feature.

I'm trying to understand how a collar would stop the slipping.

Ok, I'm looking at mine in action. I don't know but it seems if you could put some small collars underneath the things, but they are threaded so why are they slipping? Collars would have to be able to come off quick also. Rubber would grip the thread. But every time you adjust up you would have to move them. So like one of those kerf lining clamps only with rubber filling the round part with a hole for the threaded rod.

I don't under stand where the slippage occurs. Could it be belt lag?

Ok, that is impractical, what you need to do is make 2 equal Wooden Wedges about 16" long and (8" Wide) with handles on end, (make a few size sets?) however high the table goes from the bottom frame. That will be infinitely adjustable, and take only seconds to do.

Sounds like a problem with some of the older models? I haven't experienced anything like this with mine.

Yes, it is a well known problem with the older ones and appears to be fixed on the ones with the new style stand.

The drive bearings get gummed up with dust and also rust, so they get hard to turn.
once the bearing drag gets high enough, it causes the drive chain to skip.
When the drive chain starts to skip, it damages the sprockets.

There appears to be at least 3 generations of drive belt/chain and sprockets for these and at least 2 generations of drive bearings

The moral of the story is that is soon and you start to feel the conveyer height adjustment get stiff, stop and clean/lube the drive bearings to prevent the damage. Also having good dust collection will help keep the bearings from getting gummed up in the first place.

-jd

Is there a way to tell the older models? Will it be listed in the manual or something? For people buying used. The guy I got mine from said it was only a couple years old, so I bought it.

you should be able to due some reaearch and get all of the details

I believe the older models 31-250 and 31-255x have always been a problem and to my knowledge never did get fully sorted. the -255x fixed some problems with the conveyer motor that was so problematic on the -250

the newer style stand on the 31-260x implemented height new drive components and I have not heard many issues with these except for the usual complaints about it being under powered.

More than happy with mine. Have had some burning lately, must be taking too much off at onece for some species....

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Chuck Kish

Not sure if I have a 250 or 255-Looks like I'm building some big wood wedgies.

Is your sander set on the hi or lo speed pulley setting?

Just checked.... on the high speed setting. Hmmmm,lower speed = less friction, slower going overall. Should burn less. Will have to give it a try. Anyone found this to be a solution?

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Chuck Kish