Official Luthiers Forum!

Good morning Guys,
I'm considering this purchase,

http://www.grizzly.com/products/18-1-1- ... nder/G0458

I'm sure there are better drum sanders out there, however this thing is under $1000 shipped,
I like the fact it's 18" wide, and seems like it should do the trick within my budget.
Any thoughts, opinions, suggestions or first hand experience with this sander would be very much
appreciated.
They also have a nice jointer I'm looking at thats priced right, maybe if I order both I can save a buck or two on shipping.
I know Grizzly stuff is from China...is it decent ??
Thanks

Gregg

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Gregg

I did some research into drum sanders recently. I don't recall all of the specifics, but I seem to recall getting some negative feedback about this unit in regards to the adjustment mechanism, and lack of accuracy side to side. You also might want to check on minimum stock thickness.

I took the default route and ended up with a 16/32, primarily for the reasons Todd suggested. I was able to get it at a local shop for not much more than grizzly wanted to deliver theirs. That sorta sealed the deal for me.

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Jim Hansen

Thanks for the replies guys,
The 22-44 is my first choice, I should probably stick with that and
either save more pennies or look for a used one.
I just never learn, every time I "cheap out" I wind up being sorry.
Thanks
Gregg

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Gregg

I have the same sander with the Dayton name on it. I got it from Grainger. I've had it for two years and have had no problems.

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Chris

I found a used, like new, Performax 16-32 for $600. Nice machine. It will do everything you need. Parts and paper readily available. Look around for used equipment. Mine came with the table extensions. Works great......

I was concerned about this when I bought my first factory-made thickness sander a few months ago.
Since I had to do a lot of work on the conveyor anyway, I put in a couple of spacers to move the conveyor assembly closer to the drum to get around the 1/4" minimum thickness restriction built into the machine. (Easy job)
Turns out it was a waste of time- shortly afterward, I read a recommendation to use a carrier board and I do that for most work now- it helps to smooth out the effects of small bumps, etc in the feed conveyor belt.
And, if there is a mishap with the paper on the drum, the conveyor isn't touched.

Cheers
John

I have one and have used it consistently for over 2 years. As with any new tool it takes some setup. I have had absolutly no problem with mine and other folks I know with them have been very pleased. It sands evenly across the boards and 18" is as wide most need to go. I go to .060 all time when doing binding with no back board. Self contained dust collect they talk about is a blower but will inflate fully a dc bag and leave little dust. That said, I hook mine up to one of those portable 1 hp dust collectors and works much better than the internal thing. You don't need a big collector for this, but if hook up to a main unit even better I guess. I have no dust problem with this unit and the little collector at all.

I have used the Delta's and every other "better" sanders at different shops of the open end single drum units. This works as well as any in the class period. You can spend more for a "upper end" sander and not get any better results IMHO. I do a lot of sanding on a weekly basis and still runs strong. If had to do it all over again even if money not an issue, just from my experience would buy same model again. That said if money not an issue would buy a wide belt.

I guess depends how much you plan on using it, but for small production or hobby it is as good as any in the class of sander and better because of price of it. Why spend a dollar to save a dime? I do about 15 guitars a year on it plus do sanding for some other folks also.

I don't know that machine, but these things turn up on Craigslist if you've got the time to wait. Once someone's bought it and got it down to the basement, they realize it's way bigger than they thought. Then they try to hog off too much wood and have problems with burning, so they don't use it much. They eventually realize they don't use it nearly as much as they thought they would, and sell it just to get it out of the house. I think my 22-44 ended up being under $500 with a box of paper. It is way bigger than I realized. But it was really heavy and there's no way I'm carrying it back up those stairs. Plus I use it all the time and I love it.

Mike

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Mike Lindstrom