Customer Reviews

JET 22-44 PRO 22-Inch 3-Horsepower 1PH DRO Drum Sander with Table and Caster

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Purchased in February of 2009 the machine preforms as expected. This is a Proformax machine. Parts are even marked Preformax.

I thought a long time before deciding on this Drum Sander. In the end the fit and finish, strength, and movability were the factors that pushed me to this machine. Dust removal is excellent. The digital read out is accurate. The casters make it very easy to move out of the way when not in use.

I have found that I am using a full range grits of sandpaper. This was not my intention when I first got the machine. However, with 220 grit paper I can work commercial veneer (1/16th inch) and make some of my own veneer. This has added significant value to this product and is a great and pleasant surprise.

To Sas-
I have an older though very similiar model Performax drum sander. They have changed little over the years. I purchased mine last month used. Mine was in like new condition. I could not be happier with it. It is so versatile and helpful in many ways. Yesterday I used it to flatten and true a nice piece of maple that otherwise would of been useless to me. I paid nowhere near the price of a new model and I would not pay that price. I'm just a hobbyist. I've had no problems with it and it's held true since I first confirmed the set up. Hope this helps.

I use this machine pretty often for sanding resawed exotic hardwoods for guitar backs and sides. It is an excellent machine, but there is a learning curve.
The machine needs to be adjusted properly and used on a level surface. With no sandpaper on the drum and with the dust shroud removed, you have to loosen the drum supports and remove the power belt. You then place a precision block or 2 identical blocks on each end of the drum and lock it in, so that it is at the same exact height on each end. There is also a lever on the end of the drum that can fine tune the outboard height.
When you run the machine you need to take light passes.
If you try to take too much the sander will burn the wood and loose alignment.
I read the one star review and clearly that user didn't take the time to learn to finesse the machine.
In summary this is a great machine for the money, but you must take the time to learn to use it. Definitely not a machine that is useable "right out of the box" Also customer support is excellent and parts are readily available.

I bought the sander in October 09, and it has not run more than 10 minutes without burn marks, sandpaper riping or needing adjustment or ??. when it works for 1 or 2 passes, it sands nice but will not keep running. This is just a dust collector in my shop and I will lose about ~$1K selling it to get rid of it. DO NOT BUY OR WASTE YOUR MONEY - GET A REAL DRUM SANDER