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  1. #1
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    Default Has anyone bought the QWS Drum Sander and have any opinions on it?

    Hi all, in my never ending quest to drive my wife nuts and ensure she never gets to park the car in the garage, I'm hoping to get a drum sander if I sell enough of my tools so I can make more noise and dust.

    I'd love the Supermax from Gregory Machinery Supermax 16-32 Drum Sander - Gregory Machinery but at $2200 inc the feed tables, it's considerably more expensive than the QWS from Woodworking Supplies QLD Woodworking Supplies S/E QLD - QWS 400mm Wide Drum Sander.

    They look remarkably similar in construction, only real differences between them are:

    - QWS has 2HP motor, S/M has 1.5HP.
    - QWS comes with a really nice cabinet stand and feed tables, S/M feed tables are extra, and basic frame stand is supplied.
    - S/M can sand down to 0.79mm (neato bleato!) while the QWS can go down to 6mm, but I don't see you couldn't use a sled to hold it while going through, similar to what I do for thin stuff on my thicknesser.

    One major difference for the QWS is that while it doesn't have the table adjustment the S/M has, it has a solid metal support on the outer end of the roller, which I think is a brilliant design feature.

    So plenty of videos on the Supermax, but barely anything on the QWS, I'd love to hear from anyone that bought one?

    cheers, Ian

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  3. #2
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    You realise this is a machine for wood right?

  4. #3
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    Yes I do oh tool sponsor! ;-)

    My wife was SOOO happy at the thought of the cold metal saw going, fairly sure I know how she'll react when she sees a big drum sander replace it! Unless I can sprinkle it with "age dust" first!

    Livin life on the edge, one day at a time!

  5. #4
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    Default

    What’s the weight difference?

  6. #5
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    Don't know, the Supermax is listed as 72kg but this could be gross packed weight, or the unit without the frame and feed tables even. The QWS doesn't list a weight, but looks to be a little lighter than the S/M, the dust cover is also ABS by the looks, whereas the S/M one, albeit thin, is an aluminium cast by the look.

    It's always very difficult to get accurate weight details for some reason. They don't appear too different though from the pics from what I can see.

  7. #6
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    Ian,

    Did you know that there is a reseller of the Supermax here in Melbourne - in Dorset Road, Bayswater?

    supermax-16-32-drum-sander - M M Vic Sales and Service

    if you buy this you’d better lock your garage securely - I’m only down the road in Kew



    Brian

  8. #7
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    I'd forgotten about that dealer, almost extra $100 but saves on shipping. I'm really hoping to hear from someone who's bought the QWS though as that's more achievable for me. The S/M is around $800 more.

  9. #8
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    I've had a good look at the QWS machinery on display at Turnfest each year. The machines all appear to be on par or better than the typical quality of the Asian offerings.

    I was specifically chasing the smaller but discontinued Jet 10-20, so I had a good look at the larger units as that was all that was available in the market. The QWS machine was ahead on points for me, with the drum end support feature a definite plus. However I really wanted a smaller footprint machine, so the cabinet whilst good was of little use to me. Somehow Carbatec managed to get stock of the Jet 10-20's so problem solved for me, but if that had not occurred I feel the QWS would be sitting in my shed.
    Mobyturns

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  10. #9
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    Just sent you a link on sms

  11. #10
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    I think you might be over estimating the value of the drum end support. These machines are sanders, NOT thicknessers. If you over work them you will pay the price in burned out motors and a buggered gearbox down the track. That being said the QWS certainly looks like a complete package for a significantly lower price. IMO both these machines are overpowered, 1hp would be sufficient, and that raises the concern that people will ask more of them than their other components can give.

  12. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by aldav View Post
    IMO both these machines are overpowered
    No such thing

    While they're not thicknessers, they are pretty much the only option for dressing burls and other highly figured timber (even helical heads will tear out a little bit), so if you're slicing up veneers on a bandsaw a bit of extra power and some 60 grit paper will make cleaning them up much less tedious.

  13. #12
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    That's pretty much what I'm wanting to use it for, a sanding planer, as I'm finding it almost impossible to avoid tear out with a lot of the timbers, and a multitude of very minute thicknesser skim passes with thin timber just isn't really practical for the time, effort and noise, and I think 2HP while perhaps being very slightly large, is probably the sweet spot for a machine this size.

    I figure this should keep the neighbours (and me) much happier than me firing up the thicknesser for ages at a time!

  14. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by aldav View Post
    I think you might be over estimating the value of the drum end support. These machines are sanders, NOT thicknessers.
    Yes, I agree to a point, if they are abused! One can't thickness thin veneer or thin boards (2 - 3mm) any other way! Try feeding it through a thicknesser! Whilst I have had success with 2 mm thick stock fed through the thicknesser I can say with absolute certainty that I have 100% success with a drum sander to at best 50% with a thicknesser!

    Over estimating??? The drum support is handy to ensure that a consistent thickness is attained as stock is passed through the unit no matter which side (LHS or RHS) the stock is put thru to spread wear across the whole sander drum. Because of the drum support design, stock fed through the LHS is always slightly thicker than stock fed thru the RHS. In fact they are very deliberately designed and set up that way, so wider boards can be "sanded" in two passes without leaving "track marks" from the end of the drum. I also deliberately adjust that out because I do not "thickness" or sand wide boards, only stock to a max 150 mm wide.

    It may seem to be splitting hairs, but when "thicknessing" veneers and thin boards for inlay banding construction it is ideal that they are "all the same." I want consistency.

    Quote Originally Posted by elanjacobs View Post
    No such thing

    While they're not thicknessers, they are pretty much the only option for dressing burls and other highly figured timber (even helical heads will tear out a little bit), so if you're slicing up veneers on a bandsaw a bit of extra power and some 60 grit paper will make cleaning them up much less tedious.
    I agree 110%. Like any tool or machine they must be used with respect and within design limits. A pass each side with #60 for a stack of veneers / thin boards then swap to #150 - 240 reduces stress on machine and tedium for the operator.
    Mobyturns

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  15. #14
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    Default I Love My Drum Sander

    I wasn't downplaying the value of a drum sander, I have one and use it. Simply pointing out that they are a machine that is ripe for abuse. As to why any owner would have their machine set up to deliver a board that is thicker one side than the other

    The forum is crapping out again. Anybody else having trouble?

  16. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by aldav View Post

    The forum is crapping out again. Anybody else having trouble?
    Yeah, doesn't seem to be working, no-ones bought my Project Saw I put up! ;-)

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