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drum sanders

2K views 21 replies 17 participants last post by  retfr8flyr 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Thinking about it, any suggestions?
 
#5 ·
They work great for some applications but I got by for years without one and only occasionally use the one I have.
If I were setting priorities on which tools to add to my shop this would be towards the bottom of the list and actually it was….unless I had a specific project that needed it like making cutting boards. Over the years I have acquired new tools as I could justify the need and of course had the funds.
 
#6 ·
Never use SuperMax. I used a Woodmaster drum sander for a few years at work. It worked OK. If the finances are available wide belts have some advantages over drum sander.

In my home shop I have a Bridgewood 15'' BSW open end sander. Like in the video below. Grizzly has the same machine with their logo on it or the North State brand is good. My sander must be at least 15 -20 years old. So far I've had no maintenance issues, break downs, or had to readjust any of the factory setting.

Contrary to popular myths these small open end wide belts are capable of sand a 30" wide panel flat and with out wittiness lines. I like mine a lot.

 
#7 ·
I've been seriously considering one of these Flatmasters from Stockroom Supply.

or this one..but it looks like an outdated design


It's wayy less expensive than the supermax..I think they run about $500. Only catch is there is no motor.
But still a 24" wide sander for under a grand is cheap!
 
#11 ·
Performax 16/32. Use it with every project to dial in the wood thickness etc.
When I first got it I had issues with snipe and rarely used it. Once I spent some quality time setting it up properly and adjusting the downforce rollers, I became one with the machine 8^)

It's a learning curve that is different from most other tools, but I would never be without one again.
 
#13 ·
I have the Flatmaster 24 inch and it s a very interesting tool. I also added the Jet 22-44 OCS this past spring and it does a great job. I really like the oscillation feature, things come out finish ready very easily. If you are on a limited budget and if don t mind hand feeding material the Flatmaster is a great tool.

- retfr8flyr
Now that you have both the Flatmaster 24 and the Jet 22-44 do you still find you get use out of the Flatmaster? I guess what I am asking is there anything the Flatmaster does better, simpler or faster than the Jet? Or is the Jet your all around go to sander?
I debating a new Flatmaster or a used drum sander like the jet. Thanks for your insight!
 
#14 ·
I have a 24 inch drum sander that I put together from a kit. It was sold by the same company that designed and sells the Flatmaster. It works exactly the same way. With the exception of width, there is nothing that it will do that my Jet 16-32 won't do at least as well and sometimes way better. I don't use it much any more but it is a very good flat sander if that is all you have.
 
#16 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have the Flatmaster 24 inch and it s a very interesting tool. I also added the Jet 22-44 OCS this past spring and it does a great job. I really like the oscillation feature, things come out finish ready very easily. If you are on a limited budget and if don t mind hand feeding material the Flatmaster is a great tool.

- retfr8flyr

Now that you have both the Flatmaster 24 and the Jet 22-44 do you still find you get use out of the Flatmaster? I guess what I am asking is there anything the Flatmaster does better, simpler or faster than the Jet? Or is the Jet your all around go to sander?
I debating a new Flatmaster or a used drum sander like the jet. Thanks for your insight!

- BandsawJeff
I still use the Flatmaster for some projects, even owning the Jet. The Flatmaster has the unique ability to sand flat, hence the name, and my Jet will thickness something but not necessarily make it flat. If you sand a twisted, or cupped, piece the pressure from the drum will flatten it out as it goes through but it will go right back to the previous condition after it passes the drum. The Flatmaster registers everything off of the flat top and you are lightly pushing the piece through by hand so things will actually come out flat and true. Depending on the project and the time required, I will use whichever machine does the best job.

Paper is a breeze to change and you can go with very fine grit without worrying about burning The biggest drawback to the Flatmaster is doing long pieces. It's hard to keep even pressure across the top with the longer pieces but I added the wing system, that Stockroom Supply offers, for mine and they help a lot. Depending on the projects you normally work with, a Flatmaster is hard to beat for the price.
 
#19 ·
+1 for SuperMax 19-38. I have had no problems in the 1-2 years I have owned it.

Here's a tip-if you ever get a burn mark in the sand paper or it's loaded up and you feel you are unable to get it clean and maybe you feel like it's time to throw away the strip of sandpaper and replace with a newer one-remove the cloth backed sanding roll from the drum and submerge it in a container of Simple Green (other cleaners will probably work just as well). Soak it overnight and then rinse it off and/or lightly scrub to get it clean again. Let it dry out (I clamp it to a board) and then reuse!
 
#20 ·
I have the Flatmaster 24 inch and it s a very interesting tool. I also added the Jet 22-44 OCS this past spring and it does a great job. I really like the oscillation feature, things come out finish ready very easily. If you are on a limited budget and if don t mind hand feeding material the Flatmaster is a great tool.

- retfr8flyr

Now that you have both the Flatmaster 24 and the Jet 22-44 do you still find you get use out of the Flatmaster? I guess what I am asking is there anything the Flatmaster does better, simpler or faster than the Jet? Or is the Jet your all around go to sander?
I debating a new Flatmaster or a used drum sander like the jet. Thanks for your insight!

- BandsawJeff

I still use the Flatmaster for some projects, even owning the Jet. The Flatmaster has the unique ability to sand flat, hence the name, and my Jet will thickness something but not necessarily make it flat. If you sand a twisted, or cupped, piece the pressure from the drum will flatten it out as it goes through but it will go right back to the previous condition after it passes the drum. The Flatmaster registers everything off of the flat top and you are lightly pushing the piece through by hand so things will actually come out flat and true. Depending on the project and the time required, I will use whichever machine does the best job.

Paper is a breeze to change and you can go with very fine grit without worrying about burning The biggest drawback to the Flatmaster is doing long pieces. It s hard to keep even pressure across the top with the longer pieces but I added the wing system, that Stockroom Supply offers, for mine and they help a lot. Depending on the projects you normally work with, a Flatmaster is hard to beat for the price.

- retfr8flyr
Interesting…Thanks!
If you don't mind me asking where did you fine a motor?
 
#22 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have the Flatmaster 24 inch and it s a very interesting tool. I also added the Jet 22-44 OCS this past spring and it does a great job. I really like the oscillation feature, things come out finish ready very easily. If you are on a limited budget and if don t mind hand feeding material the Flatmaster is a great tool.

- retfr8flyr

Now that you have both the Flatmaster 24 and the Jet 22-44 do you still find you get use out of the Flatmaster? I guess what I am asking is there anything the Flatmaster does better, simpler or faster than the Jet? Or is the Jet your all around go to sander?
I debating a new Flatmaster or a used drum sander like the jet. Thanks for your insight!

- BandsawJeff

I still use the Flatmaster for some projects, even owning the Jet. The Flatmaster has the unique ability to sand flat, hence the name, and my Jet will thickness something but not necessarily make it flat. If you sand a twisted, or cupped, piece the pressure from the drum will flatten it out as it goes through but it will go right back to the previous condition after it passes the drum. The Flatmaster registers everything off of the flat top and you are lightly pushing the piece through by hand so things will actually come out flat and true. Depending on the project and the time required, I will use whichever machine does the best job.

Paper is a breeze to change and you can go with very fine grit without worrying about burning The biggest drawback to the Flatmaster is doing long pieces. It s hard to keep even pressure across the top with the longer pieces but I added the wing system, that Stockroom Supply offers, for mine and they help a lot. Depending on the projects you normally work with, a Flatmaster is hard to beat for the price.

- retfr8flyr

Interesting…Thanks!
If you don t mind me asking where did you fine a motor?

- BandsawJeff
I got my motor from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Century-formerly-Smith-GF2054-Bearing/dp/B006P1NRZS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1516319134&sr=8-3&keywords=1%2F2+hp+1725+rpm+electric+motor It has worked fine for me. You can run anything from 1/2 hp on up but it needs to be 1725-1750 RPM motor.
 
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