Customer Reviews

JET 98-1601 10-Inch x 16-Inch Infeed/Out Sanding Support Tables for 16-32 Drum Sander

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

 

 

This is an extremely important addition to the Performax 16-32 drum sander that doesn't compare to an otherwise well designed machine. The installation is relatively easy, two bolts on either side to mount the side brackets. The trick is to get the tables flat corresponding to the conveyor belt. After raising and lowering the tables and brackets several times I managed to get them close, but not where I wanted them, which is dead on. As a previous reviewer stated, they have a tendency to trail off (down) at the ends away from the machine, which makes them almost useless. Take it from a guy who has owned both the Performax and the Delta: you are still better off with the Performax. This item should be at least close right out of the box, and perfect with a few adjustments, but I'll have to settle for close.

It took me the better part of two evenings to get these tables installed and adjusted properly. Even after I got them the way I wanted them, during use they didn't provide the positive support I was hoping for.I mostly just use them to keep the workpiece from falling to the floor.

This is a great addition to the Performax 16-32 drum sander. the infeed outfeed tables allow for the use of longer boards, and a 'storage/holding' area for smaller items. More importantly, with the longer boards, it offers support to the sander, taking the possible stress and weight away from the drum sander itself when the board is not 'balanced' on the feed table.

The installation was quick and easy, about 5 minutes total. The infeed outfeed tables attached to pre-existing holes on the Performax stand. Adjustment is just moving the tables up or down to align with the sander's feeder table, then tighten the bolts. That's it.

Before I had the tables, for pieces longer than 24 inches, I had to hold and 'level' the board as it feed into the sander to avoid the weight of the board gouging up or down on the sander, especially on the ends of the board. With the infeed outfeed tables, this problem has almost been eliminated, except of the boards that are 8 feet long.

Overall, a great investment, that makes the 16-32 drum sander even more productive.

I returned these tables along with the Performax 16-32 sander. (see my review titled "Extremely Disappointing") The problem with the tables is they can't be mounted to be co-planer with the bed of the sander. Instead, they tilt downward, away from the conveyor. They also don't align evenly with the conveyor from side to side. Aside from giving the illusion they beef up the 16-32, they are of very little use. Save your money and build your own.

With trepidation due to the older, negative reviews, I ordered these and installed them this evening. Took me maybe 45 minutes from opening the box to aligning them dead-on flat with the conveyor table using a straight-edge clamped first to one side, then the other for each of the two tables.

Compared with how much time I saved drum sanding my first set of edge-glued panels, or for that matter installing and tuning jointer knives, my least favorite shop chore, it's a no-brainer.

It's too early to say whether I'll have to re-adjust frequently, but if the alignment slips to easily, I'll try sanding the mating surfaces a bit for better purchase.

Flimsy? Yeah I wish they were made of iron like my table saw wings, but this is a portable machine for me. They're about the same weight as my planer infeed/outfeed tables, and those have never been a problem.

These are the most irritating part of buying a Performax 16-32 Drum Sander. First of all, they aren't included with the sander. One of those hidden gotcha's that you always run into with big power tools. Secondly, they are a &^%$! to align and keep aligned. I have no good advice here. You just keep trying until, suddenly, everything works. And third, they aren't as ridgid as something in this price range should be.

The fourth irritating fact is that you really do need them. Without, you are always at risk of uneven or off level feed with anything larger than a chessboard. And nothing is worse than having your drum sander convert hours of painstaking work into sawdust. Avoid the expense at your own risk. I suppose you could build a stationary sanding table for the beast that would make these unnecessary, but if you are like me and whell things about this is the only option in town.

The Infeed/Outfeed tables provide helpful additional staging space on the 16/32 drum sander. Assembly was simple, but installation would have been enhanced if lockwashers had been included with the kit. I added them to simplify the alignment process - they enable "fine" adjustments which is not practical with only "nut and bolt" connections.

Easy to install, easy to set-up and a big help in using the sander. It would be nice if the tables could fold down.

These need a design change that allows something other than a mallet to adjust them. As a retired machine shop supervisor, I could design something myself that would work well, but it's more trouble than it's worth, unless I have to repeatedly re-adjust them. I spent more than an hour screwing with them. Once adjusted they work fine, but installing them properly can put you in a bad mood.

I will begin by saying that the tables are a bit overpriced. Having said that they were easy to install and keeping them flat with the drum sander bed is not difficult at all. They should be included with the drum sander, as using the sander on stock over 36" would be very difficult without them. I suggest that you bite the bullet and pick up a pair.