Supermax 19-38 Drum Sander

[justin waldron]

I received the SuperMax 19-38 "open end" drum sander about 3 weeks ago before starting my latest kitchen.  I ordered it through Acme Tools, shipping was great, machine was packaged very well and arrived on time.  I have not used the Jet/Performax sanders, but have seen them in local stores, this machine by far surpasses them in size and how it's machined.  This unit is extremely heavy and impressive.  I was a little leary in the 1 3/4 hp motor and how it would handle larger jobs, but it handles them very well and I have never felt the motor bog down (even when accidentally taking off too much in a pass).  I have sanded around 30 kitchen cabinet doors so far and an 8'x2' White Oak top and couldn't be more pleased.  The White Oak top took multiple passes, but was completely dead flat and ready for finish sanding.  The cabinet doors looked great, minimal touch up sanding and saved tons of time.  I have been through 3 rolls of sandpaper so far and have tried multiple grits 80/120/150 and have found that I liked the 120 grit then moving onto 150 grit with an orbital, with the orbital it's just cleaning up any scratches from cross grain.  I have no complaints on this machine at all, 5 stars, completely satisfied and wouldn't change anything on it.

[Robert Brennan]

Well thats all from me you got everything covered!

Mind you some humour...You need to be a bit of a prostrate examiner to operate the retainer!!

[justin waldron]

Yes it's a spiral wrap and I do buy bulk rolls and cut them.

[Robert Brennan]

Justin The block is must.

Does your drum have a spiral wrap abrasive belt the locks with a mechanism inside the drum?.

If so I hope you are buying bulk rolls and cut your own.

[justin waldron]

I have an abrasive cleaning block that I use to clean the belts and it works great and yes, I have been very busy with a kitchen, I've used at least 4 belts at this point, a build of 23 cabinets and 3 vanities at the moment, all in quartersawn Red Oak.

[Robert Brennan]

Justin by now I would have expected to see some nice results maybe you are going at it hard and dont have the time?

You may know this but a couple of tips.

1. you can pressure clean the abrasive belts with detergent and water,  if they get clogged up just soak them overnight then pressure clean away, the results you get are an unclogged belt it doesnt resharpen it unfortunately although they look new!

2. By passing material through a number of times without adjusting the depth of cut will continue to remove material and give great reults.

[Robert Brennan]

OK castigation withdrawn!! keep your fingers well away when using 32 grit too!!

[justin waldron]

Actually this picture was taken during assembly, I have a 3hp Oneida cyclone hooked up as well as a 1200 cfm air cleaner in the ceiling. My Oneida review is on my page.

[Robert Brennan]

Hey I dont see a dust extractor fitted.... you are a very naughty boy,

Sanding dust is the worst offender in the workshop in regard microscopic particles and lung complaints.

Even my DC blocks up so imagine what its doing to you as well

A very worthwile machine in the workshop, you can also fit it with 32 grit to remove paint if required