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Anybody here running one of those?

I currently use a Haussmann 18" open end drum sander. Seems to be the same machine as the Grizzly.
It works, but that's the best I can say about it. The variance across a top can be as much as .5 mm even flipping tho board and using a sled.

Long story short, I want a better machine but can't yet afford to move up to a wide belt sander.

What I'm thinking of is the Delta. Bigger drum (more paper), easier paper changes, seems to be just a better built machine.

So, anyone have any experience with said little beast?

Thanks

I've used their 31-250 18 inch for 8-10 years now and have been very happy with it, and their customer service has been very good (bad sand paper drive belt aftyer 2 years of use - they sent new one at no charge.). I think the design in general, with the drum head rigid and the platen table moving up and down, is greatly superior to any of the ones that the drum moves up and down. It's been problem free, and I don't do squat for maintenance. good dust collection is important with any of them to do a good job.

Mine sands even across the entire drum within 3 thousands, and I have sanded quite a few sheets of thin (.020 ) wood for purfling lines etc. using a sled and 180 grit paper.

Keep in mind none of the drum sanders are planers, big bites will bite you in the ass with any of them.

Thanks....

I have the 255x. Adjusting the feed belt is tricky, but I'm very happy with it. I bought it many years ago to replace my home-built. With the Delta, I get controllable, consistent results. When I have a tool that's inadequate, I dream about replacing it until I spend the money and replace it. I have no desire to replace my Delta drum sander.

I also have one and it's been a good machine. I have probably abused it a bit by using 36 grit to plane rough lumber in addition to normal sanding activities. My drum is no longer true on one end by the sandpaper clip as it has gotten out of round. It doesn't bother me because I don't generally sand anything wider than 14". A new drum would not be that expensive. The sandpaper clips are tough for me so I often use pliers. There is a small toothed belt underneath which spins the 4 table jacks when you adjust the height wheel. That thing can bind and if you force it one of the jacks can skip a tooth on the belt. If I feel it starting to bind I spin backwards to let it catch up and then go back to setting the height. Aligning the table isn't that difficult to get everything back to the right height a couple of times a year. Anyways it's been a good machine but I'm not sure that they are better than the Jet which has it's own set of issues. They are a bit notorious for going through the belt motor which is a DC motor but mine has been fine.

I have the new Supermax 19-38 ( I think that's right, I may be slightly off), and it is as good a machine as I could ever hope for. Rock solid. Paper is easy to replace. I made do with a King 16-32 for a couple of years and could never get it to work satisfactorily. The Supermax is idiot-proof. And trust me, I'm an idiot. If I can make this work, anyone can.

Steve

I have been running a Delta 18 36 that I bought used 6 years ago and it does a great job. There is a few thousand inch variance from one side to the other but not enough to make me want to adjust it. The original feed belt needs to be replaced eventually and I have a spare on hand but have not got around to it. As long as I keep my cuts at a reasonable amount on hard woods, it takes a bit longer than I would like for backs and sides but the result is good.

Fred

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

I've been running the Delta 18 36 for over 10 years with the same feed belt. It's got some ware and likes to wander with long use. However, its easy enough to re-track. A very good and well built machine.

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Michael Lloyd

“I was born to ignorance, yes, and lesser poverties ...
I was born to privilege that I did not see ... I didn’t know it, but my way was paved” – John Gorka

+1 for Steve!

I also have the Supermax 19-38. You won't be disappointed with this machine!

The supermax will be 2k with shipping, and is not CSA approved (minor detail).

The delta is around 1400 and if it breaks I can take it to a store down the way. The supermax is obviously the better machine, but that's enough cake to make you stop and think a bit. Particularly if something goes wrong with it....

Acmetools has the supermax for 1399.00 shipped. its on my wish list

I'm in Canada, eh.

1699.00. CAN plus 300 for shipping from the nearest source, London, Ontario. To Vancouver BC. At that price point I'm not so far from the Jet 22-44 oscillating sander, which is what I'd really like. Also not available in Canada....

Sometimes this teeming metropolis call Vancouver can be a real backwater....

A couple of months ago, someone was selling two of the Supermax 19-38's on Kijiji for $900 each. I was tempted, but I figured they fell off the back of a truck.

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker