Thread: Drum Sander Comparison

I too have a 13" thicknesser and frequently have the same problem. I bought an almost new 16/32" Carbatec second hand from the old auction forum here.

It took a bit of playing to get the setup perfectly but was worth the trouble. The one thing you need to know about using it is that it takes a lot of passes to take off even a tiny amount. However taking your time gives a bloody good result.

In my experience 120 grit is as course as I go because any courser and it tends to put fine scratches in the wood.

I love mine as it makes life a lot easier, but I still need to sand lightly with finer paper to finish.

There are many that look like they come out the same factory and have virtually the same specs, so shop around.

I have one of the 16/32's.

It took quite a while to learn its limitations and its strong points.

Basically, I like it cos its a thickness sander. No other of my numerous sanders is guaranteed to maintain a consistent thickness across a workpiece. I find it most useful for sanding assemblies - particularly things like face frames.

In terms of sanding things wider then 16 inch, I find its possible but needs some planning. You need to be very careful how your slab (or whatever) is supported. If it rocks as it goes through the sander, then you will end up with gouges created on the free end (assuming coarse sandpaper) and possibly perpendicular to the direction of flow. The small infeed/outfeed tables that it comes with do not prevent a large object from rocking. You also need to keep the feed rate constant - not easy if you are trying to manipulate a large slab.

If I had to sand a slab again I would probably make a false bed for it, so the slab is fed through with no deflection from the horizontal. Just a big table knocked up out of waste timber - with the sander sitting in the middle.

I don't see why it wouldn't do what you want.

However, if the object you have is going to be viewed from front on, not side on, then I think you'll get the same result out of a good ROS, which probably wont be much cheaper but will be a very versatile thing to own as you fix up your Queenslander.

Come to think of it, I always finish with an ROS anyway. I have used up to 320 grit on the 16/32, but basically its really not designed for anything above 120 grit, possible but now recognise not worth the hassle.

cheers
Arron

Thanks for the feedback

so far I have one vote for the Carbatec.

any other Exprience out there?

I have a Jet 16/32 with the table extensions.
setting it up -- you have to get the drum parallel to the conveyor belt

Dust extraction is not an option, it's a MUST have

It's a true thickness sander.
Changing the paper is not too fiddly,
I've used paper as coarse as 60 when I've wanted to take a fair bit off and as fine as 240 when I want a "good" finish.
Typically I have 120 grit mounted.

Like all drum sanders, for finishing you need to follow up with a ROS for best results.


While I you should never discourage teh purchase of more tools, for two show panels a sharp hand plane followed by the ROS is much cheaper.

Originally Posted by ian

I have a Jet 16/32 with the table extensions.
setting it up -- you have to get the drum parallel to the conveyor belt

Dust extraction is not an option, it's a MUST have

It's a true thickness sander.
Changing the paper is not too fiddly,
I've used paper as coarse as 60 when I've wanted to take a fair bit off and as fine as 240 when I want a "good" finish.
Typically I have 120 grit mounted.

Like all drum sanders, for finishing you need to follow up with a ROS for best results.

Yes, but I've found that getting the drum parallel to be a real challenge! Any suggestions there?
Excellent for those species with a major tear-out factor where even the best plane is not up to the task.

I am counting 1 for Carbatec and one for Jet.

any other experience out there?

the Supermax is my pick however out of budget and the Hafco is on sale for $800 so quite appealing

Originally Posted by burraboy

Yes, but I've found that getting the drum parallel to be a real challenge! Any suggestions there?
Excellent for those species with a major tear-out factor where even the best plane is not up to the task.

patience
perseverance
shims
and a feeler gauge

when dad and I set ours up we had access to a pair of square bars which we put on the belt near either end of the drum
we then used shims under the four bolts holding the drum frame to the column to get a consistent gap between the drum and square bars.

I have a Carbatec branded generic WDS400 and used a similar method as Ian did to get the drum parallel. I think that there is a Youtube video somewhere showing that method.
After running a piece of timber through it, I turn it end for end and run it through again without altering the height of the drum. I find that evens out any minor discrepancies in the drum level.
Hope that makes sense.

Ok then, thread has been hijacked but lets see if we can get it back on track.

I am after opinions on Drum sanders please

Considering the Hafco is on sale at the moment i would be particularily interested in opinions on thus model

I have the jet 22-44 oscillating drum sander. The setup was fairly easy and the results have been very good. I find for the exterior furniture I make the finish I get from 80 grit is perfect as the added oscillation gives a much finer finish than just the rotating drum.

Originally Posted by Damienol

To get to the point of my post I am looking for advice on drum sanders. I am thinking an 16/32 open end drum sander and was wondering if anyone has experience they can share?

Sorry for the hijack, I thought you were looking for user experiences.

I have a Jet 16/32 as well, great machine. Dust extraction, as mentioned is a must. I did not find setting it up a problem, maybe I just lucked in the initial set up. Changing the paper can be a bit tricky but is not impossible. Good luck with whatever choice you make.

Thanks for all the feedback.

anyone got any thoughts on the hafco?

Aren't the Hafco model and the Carbatec model the same?
I had a look at both recently at the shop and could not notice any differences.
The Hafco model claims it can sand down to 3.2mm and the Carbatec one says 5mm.
If you go to the website of each and click on download manual they bring up the same manual for a sander with a model number DS-1632A.

If I where to buy either the Hafco or Carbatec I would buy the Hafco as you get the stand as well. You have to pay extra for the stand from Carbatec.