pridmore Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 I was going to pull the trigger on a Jet drum sander with the 15% off sale, but some cursory searching shows me that the opinions range from pretty happy to crap! So now I'm going with the Performax 19-38. My questions to those folks who own drum sanders: - how do you deal with multiple grits? - did you buy one or more extra drums to have multiple grits ready to go at all times (say, 80 & 150)? - do you wrap/unwrap as needed? Thanks for the responses. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuxleyWood Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 Usually I only use 1 grit (100 or 120) but since I have hook and loop drums I can have one grit on each end of the drum if I don't need wider than 24-25". When I had a smaller cantilever sander I almost never changed the grit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 I have 100 on the front and 120 on the rear drum If I only had one drum I would just pick one of those two grits and go, regardless you will do some finish sanding so not a big deal in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pridmore Posted January 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 I have 100 on the front and 120 on the rear drum If I only had one drum I would just pick one of those two grits and go, regardless you will do some finish sanding so not a big deal in my opinion. Yeah. I want a double drum model but can only (half-)legitimize a single. I don't need either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 6 minutes ago, pridmore said: Yeah. I want a double drum model but can only (half-)legitimize a single. I don't need either. If I was buying today I would get the supermax single drum when I was in the market 10 years ago the cantilever designs did not get very good reviews so I went with the General International 24" double drum. Having said that I use it quite often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted January 10, 2017 Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 I've never thought of changing the drum as being an option, as easy as it to change the paper. I have the Jet and am very pleased. However, except for wives and tequilia, I've always been known to settle for second best ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted January 10, 2017 Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 - how do you deal with multiple grits? I have grits from 60 to 400. Most used is 60 and 80. - did you buy one or more extra drums to have multiple grits ready to go at all times (say, 80 & 150)? On the Supermax you can change paper in . . . (I just went out and did it) . . . about 1 minute and 15 seconds without hurrying. This includes releasing the paper at the left hand clip, rolling it into a nice little roll that fits into a rattle can top. Putting the new grit on and making sure all is smooth and tight, walking back to the bench and hitting stop on the phone timer. I don't think you could change a drum that fast. - do you wrap/unwrap as needed? Yes as described above. After hearing all the horror stories about getting the abrasive on a drum, aligning a drum and so forth, it took me quite a bit of research to buy a drum sander. The Supermax paper change is child's play. The drum alignment is simple and stays put. The tables are easy to align and stay put. About the only thing I could wish for is that the spring-loaded clip on the right were on the left. It is easy to reach with your middle finger but, those with big mitts could struggle a bit. I am a big DRO fan (tablesaw, router, planer) but, skipped it on the sander. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pridmore Posted January 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 Dude- thank you very much for the reply. You just saved me a couple hundred bucks. The super max sound awesome. I can't wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted January 10, 2017 Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 I have the SuperMax 19-38. Its a beast of a machine, if you get it ow will be happy. I pretty much leave one grit on - 120, but I keep 150 and 180 on hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenMasco Posted January 20, 2017 Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 I have the 19-38 and love it. Waaaaay more than the 16-32 I had for 15 years. After a bit of experimentation I find the 120 grit performs the best. Sometimes I go up to 18 but never finer. Changing paper is a breeze, I don't recommend adding extra drums for different grits too much trouble to change and expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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